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Opinion

Tariffs taking toll on U.S. residents

Commentary

When President Trump began in early 2025 imposing various tariffs on countries and products around the world there was debate about who would wind up bearing the cost of the Trump tariffs. (They are called Trump tariffs because the President has claimed the power to impose them with no further Congressional approval.) The Federal Reserve Bank of New York has now resolved the debate In 2025 the Bank found that American consumers and businesses bore about 90% of the cost of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The average U.S. tariff rose from 2.6% to 13%, about 10 percentage ...

Job Corps Saved program needs reform

The OBSERVER’s View

Our long mid-county nightmare has come to an end. Federal funding has been secured to keep Job Corps centers across the country open, including the Cassadaga Job Corps Academy. Let it be a reminder to anyone who is concerned about federal spending that the idea of cutting the federal budget is something everyone can get behind until someone tries to cut their particular slice of the federal budget. Nobody likes pork until someone tries to take their Christmas ham. We don’t think saving the Job Corps should be the end of this particular story. We’re merely starting a new chapter ...

There’s always two sides to the story

Commentary

The OBSERVER editor has assured me that I can use this column to write about whatever I like. And while it may be a bit risky for some writers to pen a column criticizing their employer, I’m not all that worried about it. I do not get paid to write these articles. The OBSERVER gets to print these priceless and entertaining words of wisdom absolutely free of charge. I realize the difficulties that must come with managing print media in this day and age of electronic communication. I understand that headlines are meant to be attention grabbing and the language used in articles is ...

Getting involved can help combat loneliness

Commentary

Last month’s article on loneliness was OK, but I feel I didn’t give the readers everything they expected. So, in addition to last month’s, this month’s will put the cap on loneliness. As stated, “feeling lonely from time to time is a part of life.” However, for many seniors and older adults, loneliness is all too common. More than 50% struggle with it. When these feelings linger, they can contribute to anxiety and depression. Last month I left out talking to a therapist, which can help you make positive changes in your life. Someone asked me if I take my own advice, and ...

Using care in recruiting challenges

Commentary

Few things are more important than access to high-quality health care services. Although most local concerns have recently been focused on facilities, as some have closed or required renovations or replacement, the necessity of adequately staffing facilities that continue to operate can’t be overlooked. Serious challenges in healthcare staffing have been growing nationwide for a long time and are likely to persist. Recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals can be especially difficult in more rural counties, like Chautauqua, for many reasons. In addition to concerns ...

SUNY FREDONIA: Keeping impact on positive note

The OBSERVER’s View

There are two ways to take the State University of New York report released this week regarding future financial viability for the Fredonia campus. Besides noting the positive aspect of an apparent $11 million deficit that is expected to be whittled away by the 2028-29 year, there is the unknown that is not spelled out regarding how that will happen. “The campus has focused on growth opportunities, discontinuing programs that are no longer in demand, aligning their workforce to current needs, and pursuing creative use of shared services and operational efficiencies,” the report ...