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Peoples column

People’s column: Former planner hails city senior center

Editor, OBSERVER: As the former Social Planner of the Dunkirk Senior Center, I decided to write this letter after reading the article in the OBSERVER about the new Social Planner. I want to let the seniors, who participated in our programs and went on our trips, know that I did not leave my position. Five members of the Board decided to relieve me of my duties. I want to thank all of the volunteers who helped me with my trips either physically or with ideas. I appreciate my experiences with all of you. We are very lucky to have this center for seniors so continue to support the ...

Show God’s love, not your judgment

Editor, OBSERVER: This is an open letter of response to a commentary published in The Post-Journal and the OBSERVER “Finding clarity in protests over ICE.” The writer taunts “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes” Really? What an immature response to the fatal “prize” awarded by the unrestrained, untrained, out of control ICE agent who shot Renee Good at point blank range! No ICE agent is empowered to be judge, jury and executioner for the “stupid game” of not following instructions. You are blaming the victim. And this is an Immigration Customs Enforcement agent! What ...

Primaries have important role in election

Editor, OBSERVER: When you hear “Election Day,” do you think of the November general election? There’s another Election Day that’s often overlooked by a majority of voters: Primary Election Day. If turnout for the general election seems low, participation in primaries is even lower. Yet in New York state, primaries can often decide the outcome of elections. New York has a closed primary system, which means you must be registered with a political party to vote in that party’s primary. Saturday is the deadline to enroll in a party if you want to vote in the June ...

Development not friendly to lake

Editor, OBSERVER: I’m writing in response to your recent editorial regarding projects near the the “Golden Goose,” as described by the author is Chautauqua Lake. The Chautauqua Point former golf course Project, by a Buffalo Developer, will not only affect the Historic Point Chautauqua grounds laid down by Frederick L. Olmsted and in 1996 brought to acclaim on the National Register of Historic Places, but the proposed Development is bordered by the Villas and Chautauqua Lake Estates condominiums. This development of a pared down “174 residential units among the condos, ...

Freedoms in U.S. remain resilient

Editor, OBSERVER: American freedoms are not fundamentally being lost because they are rooted in the foundational principle of inalienable rights — endowed by the Creator (as stated in the Declaration of Independence) —rather than granted by government. These God-given rights, including life, liberty, free speech, religion, and self-defense, are inherent to human dignity and cannot be legitimately surrendered or revoked by any authority. Governments exist only to secure and protect them; any infringement is illegitimate and can be challenged through the Constitution’s ...

Authority debt often ignored in state

Editor, OBSERVER: It is strange that no mention is made of the enormous debt held by the numerous public authorities in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget message? She touts the $14.6 billion in reserve while failing to take into account the budget gap of $34 billion-plus which includes the “reserve! Public authority debt is “off budget” (hidden from public view) thus not subject to voter/legislative oversight as it balloons to over $300 billion statewide! Painting a pretty picture with invisible ink does not fool those of us that look beyond her phony fiscal facade! JOE ...