People’s column

May 5, 2020

#GivingTuesdayNow needs local assistance Editor, OBSERVER: Over the years, Giving Tuesday has emerged as a way to give back during the busy holiday season. With the recent COVID-19 outbreak, many communities have launched a #GivingTuesdayNow movement for May 5 to raise dollars for emerging community needs. In March, local foundations established the Chautauqua County Crisis Response Fund-COVID-19 to address emerging needs as a result of the outbreak. Since then, our generous community has contributed more than $887,000, making it possible to grant $218,522 to 16 community-based ...

Let’s all be proud of health-care workers

May 4, 2020

Editor, OBSERVER: It is Nurse and Hospital week once again. What a time to be in the health-care business and what a time to be a provider. Never in our history have we seen or experienced the pandemic of today. Some areas have been hard hit while other areas remain almost unscathed. We have been lucky locally. Thanks in part to the closing of our society, social distancing and our health-care workers. As we open up and allow more business’s to expand we run the risk of seeing increased cases of COVID-19. Wear a mask when out in public, keep your social distance and practice ...

People’s column

May 2, 2020

Another side to Amish article Editor, OBSERVER: I am writing to give my opinion of the article that appeared on the front page of the OBSERVER on April 20 in regard to the “Amish not distancing.” First, in the article it stated “the local Amish still continue to gather at school and for church.” I know for a fact, that the Amish started home schooling the same time the public schools were closed. As far as church, the only ones that attend are the Amish. Their churches are in their homes and no English (as they call us) attend their services. As far as the ...

People’s column

April 25, 2020

Wrong climate for city grudges Editor, OBSERVER: Enough is enough. I have been sitting on the sidelines reading and watching the sad state of affairs between Mayor Wilfred Rosas and Dunkirk Common Council. The most irritating occurrences are the constant complaining of Vicki Westling and Ned Divine. They both need to take a break from all of the letters and comments. Our whole way of life is being changed. Children can’t go to school, many people are out of work, loved ones cannot be together. People are dying alone. All due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Yet what do we see? ...

People’s column

April 24, 2020

Crisis has been chaos for Trump Editor, OBSERVER: This is in response to the commentary “Trump’s leadership shines through in crisis” (April 13). Let’s cut right to the chase. President Donald Trump and his administration knew about this virus back in February. He chose not to do anything because he was worried about his election possibilities. So as far as his daily propaganda briefing, they are as bogus as they come. Even the doctor has said said lives could have been saved had he acted when he should have. In short he has the lives of all those people that have passed ...

People’s column

April 23, 2020

Environment needs to be a priority Editor, OBSERVER Getting outdoors and experiencing nature is one of the most highly recommended methods of keeping safe and sane in these times of social isolation. Just when we need clean fresh air the most, the Trump administration has announced it will be taking a break from enforcing legally mandated public health and environmental protection nationwide. This administration is letting oil refineries, chemical plants and other industrial polluters roll back EPA regulations that are meant to protect citizens. Never before has the EPA just ...