Editor, OBSERVER: When OBSERVER readers were asked on a recent weekend if they favored merger of the city and town of Dunkirk, village of Fredonia, and town of Pomfret, more than 62% said yes! I urge elected officials of all those entities to seize this moment and think big. No more ...

Editor, OBSERVER: Chautauqua County’s most vulnerable residents could soon feel the impact of a quiet but devastating budget decision. Across New York, including here in Chautauqua County, Weatherization Assistance Program providers are speaking out against proposed cuts. Weatherization ...

Editor, OBSERVER: I am writing to express my concern regarding the exclusion of key organizations from recent discussions on homelessness in Chautauqua County, as reported in two recent OBSERVER articles. Specifically, Chautauqua Opportunities and members of the Homeless Coalition were not ...

Editor, OBSERVER: Many of us are looking forward to a check for a return on overpayment on our 2025 federal income tax. Others are expecting to pay a little more on April 15. I have never minded paying my federal tax. I kind of look at it as payment of club dues for the privilege of living in ...

Editor, OBSERVER: I read the OBSERVER article about police coverage for the town of Dunkirk. It seems everyone in our local municipalities are experiencing substantial increases to cover costs in a somewhat dwindling population. I know they will work out some arrangement. It’s a ...

Editor, OBSERVER: If we had abolished the Electoral College years ago we never would have been subjected to President Trump’s first term after he lost by 2.9 million votes. And if we had installed a recall provision for every elective office at the federal level, we could have already begun ...