Breaking News

Peoples column

Getting stricter on redistricting

Editor, OBSERVER: As the public aspect of state redistricting starts to wind down, the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County shifts its focus to local redistricting. In particular, our league calls attention to the recent passage of bill S.5160-B / A.229-C, a bill setting solid redistricting standards for all New York’s charter counties, such as Chautauqua. In the past, these counties have had “significant leeway when it comes to redistricting,” as noted by one of its sponsors. Weak standards and reliance upon leeway by any political party can undermine public faith. The ...

Republicans on wrong road

Editor, OBSERVER: Let’s deal in straight talk. The only reason Republican politicians are kissing up to President Donald Trump is because of their precious re-election. They want to maintain their privileged lifestyle, and their positions of power. Many are living in an alternate universe, and no amount of logic, reason or evidence will convince them that they’re going down the wrong road. My advice to each of them is find another line of work — those of you with law degrees, go into private practice. Or enroll in a trade school, enabling you to do something useful with your ...

More politics in Fredonia

Editor, OBSERVER: Welcome to 2022, better known as the year we all can hopefully have a better year than last year. Yet again, some things just never change, such as playing politics, especially when it comes to the village of Fredonia. Last summer, the Fredonia chief of police announced his retirement. The village trustees, following the direction on the proper way to hire a new chief of police, followed what the lawyer stated. Post the job, requirements and so on. The previous Village Board conducted their interviews, got it down to a final group and hired the most qualified person ...

Clearing the air on renewables

Editor, OBSERVER: On Dec. 11, an OBSERVER article was headlined “Gone from the Wind,” which claimed that in October, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell and Sen. George Borrello “proposed legislation to create a state requirement that wind and solar companies provide the state Office of Renewable Energy Siting or Public Service Commission with reclamation bonds to decommission wind and solar projects at the end of their useful lives.” This implies that there are no backstop regulations in place at the state level to protect towns or taxpayers from having to fund or perform ...

A short glimpse into a possible presidency

Did you notice the spectacular change a few weeks ago? I did. It was amazing. The air smelled sweet and food tasted so much greater. That’s because Kamala Harris was President of the United States. Nah, I’m just kidding about the air and the food but I’m not kidding about President Harris. It only lasted for about an hour and 15 minutes, but boy, it happened. It was last Nov. 19 when Joe Biden underwent a colonoscopy. Due to his pending bout with anesthesia he would be unable to guide America with his usual expertise to Build Back Better. During that hour and 15 minutes, some ...

We need leadership during pandemic

Editor, OBSERVER: It’s to bad, “you don’t know,” Mr. County Executive PJ Wendel! Perhaps some research. For your part, could you find a way to protect the citizens of Chautauqua County? “This mandate is unenforceable.” We depend on our neighbors to follow it — for each other’s benefit. Some encouragement from your office may help. If state Sen. George Borrello thinks this mandate is “a burden,” try sitting outside an ER, in your car for six to 12 hours, or longer, waiting for a family member to be triaged! It seems we expect the federal and state ...