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The OBSERVER’s View

Voting options change with the times

How did the first Tuesday of November become the traditional Election Day? According to a Campaign Legal Center online article from 2021, Congress in 1845 selected the most convenient day to hold a vote for the greatest number of voters at the time — farmers. Saturdays and Sundays were religious days and Wednesdays were market days. Since farmers may have needed Monday to travel to a polling location, the first Tuesday after the fall harvest proved to be the most convenient day for most voters. Times have obviously changed, which led to early voting beginning in New York state in ...

The OBSERVER’s View: ‘No’ votes prove lack of understanding

Last week’s narrow decision to increase water rates once again shows the lack of understanding by Dunkirk Common Council regarding the poor fiscal shape the city is in. By a 3-2 vote, members did approve the hike though it should have been unanimous. Those who opposed the increase — Natalie Luczkowiak and Michael Civiletto — were deciding with their hearts, not wanting to pass on the costs to residents. But that type of leadership in recent years is part of what put Dunkirk on the brink at the present moment. Department of Public Works Director Randy Woodbury claims the city ...

County GOP proving spending addiction

Republicans in Chautauqua County may have made a decision that we will all regret — perhaps not tomorrow, but at some point down the road — by agreeing to mandatory yearly cost-of-living raises for the salary ranges for county managers at the top and bottom of the salary scale. It’s the sort of decision a county can make when it has a fat pile of cash in its savings account. And it’s the sort of decision that can come back to bite you when that pile of cash isn’t quite as plush. In 2013, Chautauqua County's unappropriated fund balance was $12,600,000. Do you know what you ...

Adjusting county tax auction process

The OBSERVER’s View: Adjusting county tax auction process Chautauqua County has approved the tax auction sales of 130 properties throughout the county – but the decision wasn't unanimous. Nor, in our opinion, should it have been. There were enough complaints from property owners of properties ending up at the tax auction with a lack of notice or other issues that property owners say they weren't aware of to raise questions. The property sale the legislature didn't approve last week involved a property in which one of the bidders alleged the original property owner, who shouldn't ...

Crisp weather, colors dazzle in season

It is beginning to look a lot like autumn. Take a drive on the New York state Thruway to Buffalo or Route 5 — or even Route 39 — and the natural display of colors will dazzle. Each week, the I LOVE NY tourism campaign offers updates. The most recent noted “gorgeous fall colors … with near-peak and some peak foliage expected in parts of the Adirondacks this weekend, along with leaves at midpoint of change throughout much of the mid and upper Catskills, and many Capital-Saratoga region locations.” Changing seasons are what make our region special. You do not get that same ...

October awareness campaign worth attention

Throughout this month, there are a number of events and initiatives to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women will be diagnosed with the illness during their lifetime. That number is far too high. It is why the National Football League continues to annually team with the American Cancer Society. Crucial Catch helps more people catch cancer early, and addresses the unequal burden of cancer in under-resourced communities.Since 2009, Crucial Catch has raised more than $38 million reaching  over 2.7 ...