People’s column

July 24, 2020

Class misses out on golden event Editor, OBSERVER, Life has been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the call to return home endures for the members of the Class of 1970 at Fredonia High School. Our 50th class reunion, set for the last weekend of July, only has been postponed. Bonds created during our years of growing up together in a far different Fredonia are still strong. We graduated during a time of turmoil, with a futile overseas war and unrest at home. It was also a time of optimism for the future. Today, five decades later, work to create a better America ...

People’s column

July 18, 2020

‘Good people’ help in dilemma Editor, OBSERVER: I want to thank the person or persons that saw my car being hit in the Walmart parking lot on Monday morning. I appreciate that there are good people in this area that would take the time to take a picture of the license plate of a driver who did not stop when he hit a car in the parking lot. Thanks again. It is very much appreciated by me. MELINDA BELL, Fredonia Party matters in this election Editor, OBSERVER: OK, let’s talk apples to oranges. Let’s say Joe Biden and Donald Trump are not qualified or liked as ...

People’s column

July 11, 2020

Racism remains ‘serious’ problem Editor, OBSERVER: “What, then, is racism? I don’t know and neither do you.” So states a recent commentary to the OBSERVER (July 1). The author, a philosophy professor at SUNY Fredonia, laments anti-racism protests, denies the complexity of symbols such as statues, and questions a renewed interest in our country’s history of racism. The author offers up his own theories about why racism does not and cannot exist. Then, based upon these theories, argues that it is a waste of time and resources to erase racism. He attacks efforts by ...

Nothing easy in today’s world

July 8, 2020

“We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.” George Washington There comes a time when every writer suffers from writer’s block. And it is my belief that this malady is frequently not necessarily due to being unable to write, but rather not feeling as if one should actually write about what they might like. For instance, there are many topics that are simply “too hot” to write about at the time. Writing for the purpose of provoking thought or encouraging dialogue too often ...

People’s column

July 4, 2020

Racism column was ‘misleading’ Editor, OBSERVER: I am responding to a column written by Stephen Kershnar on Wednesday. No easy answers regarding racism? Your supposition that racism is a complex, convoluted, philosophical subject that in the end no one “knows what it is” and that money spent on diversity training during a recession is a abomination, illustrates the color of your privilege: white. Racism is not a difficult concept to understand. Making it a complex subject based on high brow philosophical suppositions illustrates your own personal difficulty to understand ...

People’s column

June 29, 2020

Westfield engaged with its school Editor, OBSERVER: I am writing in regard to the Westfield Academy and Central School budget vote and board of education election. What a turnout! The budget passed by a vote of 955 to 296. It’s impressive to note how many voters are interested and participated. It is also encouraging to observe the commitment to our school. There are sure to be challenges in reopening and the dedication of the community will certainly facilitate this process. On a personal note, I would like to extend a hearty thank you for the support in my successful bid for ...