Breaking News

Peoples column

People’s column: Status quo is not stopping shootings

Editor, OBSERVER: Common sense, of which very little exists or is used, says no one except the military or police need body armor or assault weapons. For there to be any discussion of raising the age from 18 to 21 to purchase such is ridiculous and totally unnecessary. Ban them! Prosecute anyone who makes or sells them to anyone other than military or police. It is way past time for those elected to office to serve the people who elected them start paying attention to the needs and wants of said people. The only way to stop this carnage going on in our country is for this to ...

People’s column: Hospital closing would be a dagger

Editor, OBSERVER: The time for the discussion of where the location for the new hospital will be has passed some time ago and that decision has been made. Studies were performed and public input was considered and all necessary approvals were received including the approval of state grant funding of $74 million. What weighs heavy on the people of this region is that the construction has not begun yet and the current outdated Brooks Hospital facility will undoubtedly close soon. The reason why the committed funding has not been released yet is unknown but what is known is that ...

People’s column: State needs to encourage voting

Editor, OBSERVER: State Sen. George Borrello’s failed “Voter Registration Integrity Act” proposal is part and parcel of the national Republican Party’s effort to bring distrust to our national, state and local county voting processes. It is truly unpatriotic to attack our system of voting that works. If you believe former President Trump won the 2020 election, Borrello’s bill is somehow speaking to you. The defeated proposal (S.1853) would have required first-time voter registration applications to include official proof from the applying voter establishing U.S. ...

Deer numbers are on rise

Editor, OBSERVER: Fredonia has too many deer! The only thing to do is for the trustees to let the hunters kill them with bow and arrows. On Woodward Drive and Woodcrest Drive there are 20 to 25 deer every day. They walk the streets, destroy bushes and eat flowers that come up every year. They also stomp on grass and make tracks. Besides that, they’re just dirty. They are multiplying and have babies. I saw a couple of fawns born right in my back yard. Something must be done in this village. There is no other way to get rid of them except by bow and arrow. Let’s get this ...

Village talks need to be all inclusive

Editor, OBSERVER: I think Fredonia village Trustee Jon Espersen’s series of informal community discussions is a wonderful idea. Unfortunately the first location Espersen chose earlier this month had an issue. It is not handicapped accessible. I emailed Trustee Espersen to ask for a reasonable accommodation for my disability. My email states “Are you going to have a temporary ramp in place so I can attend? I am mobility impaired.” His email response was, “That would be up to the business owner. If they don’t have anything in place we can assist you.” This email is ...

People’s column

By MICHAEL BOBSEINE This is an open letter to Supervisor Dan Pacos and members of the Pomfret Town Board. Please accept this letter of support regarding the proposed Farel Road Solar Project. I’m writing in support of this project as a resident and an attorney and for the following reasons: First, the Town of Pomfret carefully considered the issue of solar power developments in the Town in 2016 and adopted Local Law 2 – Solar Power. This Local Law was carefully crafted in line with existing law, recognized and anticipated future solar power development as an acceptable land ...