White Inn has lost prominence

Editor, OBSERVER:

What happened to the White Inn?

The queen of Fredonia sits on the corner of East Main and White streets.

Her crown is tilted and she looks forlorn and empty. The lawn is straggly and unmowed and bushes untrimmed.

Wake up, Fredonia. History lies here and is overlooked.

Mayor Doug Essek and Village Board trustees need to address this deplorable situation. Bring back the queen to her glory days.

I am sure, like me, many other village residents have the same concern.

NANCY CRANSTON,

Fredonia

Boards need

Robert’s Rules

Editor, OBSERVER:

After reading some recent articles and your editorial on the disruption of the Gowanda school board meetings brings to my mind the value of Robert’s Rules that apply to all New York chartered organizations, most particularly municipal and charitable. There is no excuse for the behavior of the two Gowanda Board members, however, I believe there is a wide lack of knowledge by the public and obviously board members themselves of the need for the use of Robert’s Rules.

I think that your newspaper could provide a great service to not only the public but to all organizations by an article or series of articles about the history of and the required use of Robert’s Rules. I have probably without exaggeration, conducted more than 300 meetings in my career as a public servant as well as my participation in charitable organizations. I received my preliminary training via the JayCees organization and found that knowledge of those rules invaluable during my life.

I believe that every high school student should have a basic understanding of these rules and why they are in place and should be used. This would help them prepare for the corporate, business and charitable organization world that they enter upon leaving school. It would immediately make them a more valuable participant of any meetings they attend in their future.

With the Internet today, one can Google Robert’s Rules and get the basic rules and order at a small cost with a pocket booklet for reference for the rules and their use.

RICHARD E. DAVIES,

former chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature for four years,

legislator for 21 1/2 years,

former Westfield mayor

Vote matters

in pandemic

Editor, OBSERVER

In a typical year, the League of Women Voters would be gearing up to get out the vote: hosting tables, putting up posters, knocking on doors and facilitating debates. The pandemic has changed our approach, but the message remains the same: Get out the Vote. Your Vote Matters.

The League urges all citizens to visit the Chautauqua County Board of Elections’ website. The user-friendly site contains up-to-the minute information pertaining to the upcoming elections, and deadlines for what you can do. The New York State Presidential Primary is scheduled for June 23. A Republican Primary will also be held on that date for all eligible voters in the town of Busti.

All registered voters with the Libertarian Party in Chautauqua County will also have a county-wide Primary on June 23. The Board of Elections strongly encourages all eligible voters for the upcoming Primaries to apply for an Absentee Ballot to minimize exposure to COVID-19.

The League of Women Voters, along with the Board of Elections, urges you to take advantage of absentee voting, for the sake of poll workers, and for your own continued good health. For those who do opt to vote in person on June 23, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Early voting will be June 13 to 21, at the Board of Elections headquarters in Mayville. School district elections will be conducted via absentee ballots only.

Apply for your absentee ballot for the Primaries at https//chggov.com/board-of-elections/Board-of-Elections.

MARY CROXTON,

president,

Chautauqua County League of Women Voters