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Opinion

Just one well-aimed snowball

Commentary

Frankly, I don’t throw a snowball very often these days. Occasionally I might toss a mischievous handful at Richard in the driveway. I do remember though, back when I was first aware that a good snowball is a weapon. I’ll never forget what happened: I was in the fourth grade. In the winter we couldn’t wait to blast out of school and race home for snow play. My classmate, Nancy, and I built a tall snow fort behind the front yard low hedge. It was a fun place to snuggle out of the wind and we kept fortifying and smoothing its sides with each new snowfall. We dug out peep holes so ...

Outdoing bunny love at Super Bowl

Commentary

Following the Super Bowl halftime show, support for ICE has skyrocketed to 99%, according to the Babylon Bee, known for "fake news you can trust." Speaking of which, the NFL plans to have next year's show feature Iranian mullahs speaking in Farsi leading fans in chanting "Death to America" to express the league's full commitment to the mush of modern tolerance and hyper-inclusive multiculturalism. Bad Bunny’s sign at the end of his performance saying “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” compels the morally-confused NFL to provide Iran’s mullahs a "Super Bowl safe ...

COUNTY: Staying generous with your money

The OBSERVER’s View

Deb Makowski, county human resources director, said several times during last week's Audit and Control Committee meeting that increasing salary ranges for management employees doesn't automatically give the affected employees salary increases. She's technically right, of course. Salaries for 2026 were set in the 2026 Chautauqua County budget. But there would be no need to change the salary ranges in the first place if there weren't raises coming soon for those employees. Makowski told county legislators there are 128 employees who are getting close to the maximum salary in their ...

Fears are real throughout district

Peoples column

Editor, OBSERVER: U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy has been tasting the other side of immigration problem. He closed his Jamestown office, which recently reopened, because of fear. He and his staff are afraid to go to work because of fear of harm. Does he now see how many of his constituents are living in fear? Afraid to go to work? Afraid to go grocery shopping? Afraid to send their children to school? Afraid to attend church? They are innocent of any violent crime, but Langworthy continues to support his party leaders’ bullying and threats. These threats are carried out by masked ...

OLYMPICS: Added results to hockey wins

The OBSERVER’s View

It was not the miracle many of us witnessed in 1980 when the United States men’s hockey team knocked off the Soviet Union in stunning fashion before winning gold at Lake Placid during the Olympics. But there was no doubting the magic. Backed by a superb performance by goalie Connor Hallebuyck, the U.S. team defeated Canada, 2-1, in overtime on Sunday morning. It was an event that captivated both countries, which held watch parties across their respective nations during the early hours. “This is all about our country right now,” said Jack Hughes, who lost at least one and maybe ...

SUNY’s important Black History lessons

Commentary

For the past several years in recognition of Black History Month, the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and Greater Herkimer Lions Club have each donated a book to Herkimer County elementary and high schools and local libraries. Among the selections have been the “Sweet and Sour Book,” “Weary Blues” and “Not Without Laughter” by Langston Hughes, James Baldwin’s “Go Tell It on The Mountain” Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give” and “Stamped” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. When asked recently why I began what’s become an annual tradition, my answer was a ...