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Opinion

New YORK STATE Take out red tape for sharing services

The OBSERVER’s View

We have no doubt that the state Legislature will pass legislation that is needed to free up more than $600,000 the former Mayville Fire Department has in reserve funds for equipment and a new ambulance. Mayville Mayor Rick Syper said the state does not permit the village to give that money to the district on its own, since villages cannot give away taxpayer money. But the process takes months. The Mayville Village Board had to pass a resolution asking the state to take action. Nothing can happen on that resolution at the state level until at least January - and more likely in May and ...

Changing face of warfare

Commentary

Sadly, new technologies are often tested first in warfare, on the battlefield—not in commerce or for civilian use. For example, a new technology made its debut in World War I—the airplane. Initially thought of as a remarkable new invention to transport people and goods at speeds and distances never imagined—it became an effective intelligence gathering and killing tool over the trenches and battlefields of France. I suppose that if you go way back, to prehistoric times, the same kind of thing happened. The spear was probably invented to protect settlements from predators and to ...

Thanksgiving always more than a meal

Commentary

To begin with, we all should give thanks to Sarah Joseph Hale. If not for her, there’d be no Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. The New England native defied the popular stereotype that a woman’s place was in the kitchen, cranking out babies and keeping her yap shut. Not only did she publish a novel, “Northwood: Life North and South” (1827), but she was the first woman editor of a magazine (The Ladies Magazine) and in 1837, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book (150,000 subscribers). Hale ranted and raved for more than three decades on a variety of topics, ...

Elections Those engaged went at the polls

The OBSERVER’s View

Roughly a quarter of registered voters took part in the Nov. 4 election. It’s disappointing, of course, to see so few participate in the election of local leaders who will decide the future of Chautauqua County and its cities, towns and villages. We’ve made it easier than ever to vote, but turnout in local elections barely budges. It’s obvious that the issue isn’t how people cast their votes but rather a lack of interest in local issues that are decided in odd-year elections.It’s disappointing, though not surprising, that local elections generate little interest from many ...

Peoples column

Peoples column

Use of plastics is hazardous Editor, OBSERVER: I would like to thank the OBSERVER for publicizing the recent lunch and learn at the college, sponsored by the League of Women Voters. The discussion alerted us to the various types of plastics and the dangers they pose to humans. This spring, I heard a podcast on Sirius Radio about the effects of plastic on our health, and it was quite alarming. Then I watched a few Ted Talks about plastic, again shocking. This summer, I encountered hazardous plastics at our beaches, parks, and homes. Initially, I noticed discarded single-use ...

Voices matter in global, local concerns

Commentary

It’s raining in Gaza. It’s winter and it’s cold. As part of the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to allow 600 trucks a day into Gaza with supplies. Gaza’s government says the Israelis have only allowed 28% of them to come through. People are starving. Children are dying every day from hunger. It’s a slow painful death. We paid for the bombs that made 2 million people homeless. We are the only ones the Israelis will listen to. Call U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy at (716) 488-8111. He is our District 23 representative in Washington. He can put pressure on ...