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People’s column

Hospital moves, city sits still

Editor, OBSERVER:

What is happening to Dunkirk? This is in regard to the relocation of Brooks Memorial Hospital to Fredonia.

1) Brooks Hospital has always been in Dunkirk since its inception by the Brooks family.

2) Why didn’t Mayor Wilfred Rosas and the council members fight to keep our hospital? We have lost everything in Dunkirk — NRG, all factories. Downtown Dunkirk is despicable with absolutely no businesses and only one grocery store now.

We are losing another income of taxes, so what’s next? Raise the taxes to the few working in this city and people on a fixed income?

Look around, everyone. Dunkirk is on its last leg and Fredonia has the prize. You’ve got to congratulate them; they did their job.

SAMUEL PETRELLA,

Dunkirk

Towers do more than just spin

Editor, OBSERVER:

Are windmills spying on us? A recent article from an online site, www.windpowerengineering.com, reveals something I am sure many are not aware of. These giant monster turbines now have eyes that watch your every move.

Maybe this should be looked into further as an invasion of our privacy since many are located near property owners. These cameras have the ability to zoom in on residents and events and can watch your every move outside your home and property.

This is just one more thing to think about.

JAMES R. LISA,

Arkwright property owner

Federal staffers need to work

Editor, OBSERVER:

During my career with the Social Security administration I was subject to furlough a number of times due to disagreements over the budget authorizations. Most of the times, we were considered essential, and were told to continue working while there was no authorization to pay us.

This year is different. At over three weeks, with no sign of an end, and with missed paychecks, the men and women who work are facing problems they did not expect.

The inability of our elected leaders to compromise has led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. I am proud of my work as a federal employee in service to the country I love. Federal workers nationwide are forced to stay at home and wait for the government to reopen, and are no longer able to provide the services on which our fellow Americans rely.

Middle-class federal workers and their families are stretching their pennies until the shutdown is over. Even though pay will be restored eventually, bills still arrive on time even if paychecks don’t, and many federal employees are being forced to make difficult and unnecessary financial decisions to make ends meet.

Our representatives in Congress and the president need to stop playing political games with our government’s services and those who provide them. We are now in a crisis and our leaders must work to promptly reopen the government. We must call them to reach consensus immediately so committed federal employees across the nation and right here at home can get back to work for our country.

ARNOLD ZDROJEWSKI,

Jamestown

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