Breaking News

Peoples column

People’s column

Governments here ‘being choked’ Editor, OBSERVER: The “ ‘Outmigration’ is a bipartisan pickle” commentary (April 30) seems to suggest that local county governments are to blame for our state’s population decline. The assumption that local county governments in rural areas are somehow to blame for their residents leaving the state is ridiculous. All of local government fiscal problems are the result of high taxes, out of control spending and burdensome state mandates all of which are born in Albany. State Gov. Andrew Cuomo has driven this state into the ground ...

‘Grateful for lessons’ taught by mothers

Editor, OBSERVER: “Mother, a woman who loves unconditionally, leads by example, and puts others before herself.” Sunday is a day to honor motherhood and all mothers. As a son, husband and brother, I am grateful for the lessons learned from the women in my life. Especially my own mother. As a young man I felt and did as most young men at the time. It was my mother, however, who through her wisdom, helped me to see that it was better to serve than to be served. Family and community are the things that are important, and it is that which I learned from her. Serving others is ...

Who’s calling shots on visitation?

Editor, OBSERVER: I am a seasonal resident of Fredonia and am here from March through August each year to visit my father, who resides at Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunkirk. We are assigned weekly visitation time slots and are allowed to visit once per week for a half hour. I’ve been here for eight weeks and have seen my father three times. It seems each time I’m scheduled to visit, the facility calls, informing us that a staff member has contracted COVID and visitations are canceled. I finally called the center and asked why a staff member having COVID ...

Country’s values are being lost

Editor, OBSERVER: The far left wants everyone to become reliant on government dependency. Why would people want to work, when they can sit home and collect more money than if they went to work? Right now, Refresco, the steel plant, and Wells Enterprise can’t find people to go to work. The Democrats continue to play the sympathy card. The reason behind this is because they have nothing else to rely on. Since Joe Biden took office and signed all those executive orders, our country has gone downhill like a snowball headed for hell. He’s created a crisis at the border like we’ve ...

Stale writer won’t fool me again

Editor, OBSERVER: This is in response to an editorial commentary by Richard Makuch (April 19). To be honest, I quit reading this particular column a long time ago. The reason for that was that every commentary was essentially the same thing. The writer complains about the same topics, without any supporting evidence, over and over again. I actually enjoy reading pieces from people who have opinions that I do not share. But, reading columns that simply demonize certain groups or topics while repeating the same misinformation time after time isn’t helpful, interesting, or ...

People’s column

Redistricting needs accountability Editor, OBSERVER: The League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County promotes transparent and accountable redistricting processes, and the ending of hyper-partisan practices that don’t benefit constituents. The League believes that responsibility for fair redistricting should be vested in an independent commission, with membership that reflects constituents’ diversity. The League supports redistricting processes that promote fair and effective representation, with maximum opportunity for public participation. Our democracy is powered by ...