Readers’ Column for the week of Nov. 9, 2014

Question. What does it take to pick up bagged leaves in the Town of Owego? Answer. Five men, two trucks and a front loader for a total of nine workers and no brush pick up this fall. I guess that would take another five-man crew plus at least two trucks and a chipper.

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There are 360 bills on Harry Reid’s desk, which he has pigeon holed and prevented from going to a vote. No wonder nothing gets done. When the republicans take over the senate they must be ready to provide comprehensive plans to provide a sensible and cost effective health care plan rather than the monstrosity called Obamacare. Republicans should propose a fair or flat tax, term limits, a real jobs plan addressing corporate taxes, and they must defund any effort by Obama to grant illegal aliens amnesty by executive fiat. Republicans better have a plan to improve our world status too. The congress must put all bills to a full vote and force Obama’s hand to vote yes or to veto that bill.

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I’m curious about what goes on in the gravel pit off of West Creek Road. Is it a gravel pit, ship mine, fracking? Curious.

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I keep hearing the same rhetoric from people. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Well you know what? If there were a lot less guns in the hands of people that shouldn’t have them there would be a lot less innocent people dead.

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We still have barn boards, kindling and one very large beam from a barn that was torn down for free. Give me a call at 659-3871.

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Here is a scenario for what will happen right after the republicans take over the senate. Nobama, who has nine million green cards in his hand, will grant immediate amnesty to the illegal aliens by executive decree. The republicans will defund the program or file legal challenges and look like bad guys. Hillary will then come out, say she disagrees with nobama’s radical plan, and will then come up with a more moderate plan and set herself up as being a moderate presidential candidate. Anyone care to bet on this one?

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I’m just curious. With this new school, with all the bells and whistles, is that going to make the kids smarter or what? Or is that just somebody’s ego getting what he wants.

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Owego is a lucky little village. It must be located right at the end of the rainbow where the pot of gold is. They can get brand new $70 million schools and it doesn’t cost the taxpayers any money. They can get brand new fire stations wherever they want them and it doesn’t cost the taxpayers any money. I wonder how big that pot of gold is that they keep dipping in to that doesn’t cost anything to the taxpayers.

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Keri Blakinger’s story about the grant that was awarded for sidewalks came out of Mayor Jim Tornatore’s mouth. Tornatore states that he’s wanted to do a sidewalk project for some time. He created a sidewalk subcommittee so he would have at least five others who would agree with him. Surveys were distributed around the village this spring asking for feedback on this so-called sidewalk project. Only 67 surveys were submitted. I personally filled out at least 20. The majority of those that were submitted stated that sidewalks were not a priority. The mayor states that Whig Street is one of the busiest streets and a lot of kids walk on it. What about Main Street? I’m not aware of any pedestrian/vehicle accidents on Whig Street, or on any other street for that matter. The mayor states that he believes in walk-able communities and that he also believes that no assessor ever adds to the assessed value because of sidewalks. It is so nice to know what our mayor believes. I believe that forcing the residents of Whig Street to put in sidewalks they may not want is ridiculous.

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Newark Valley. We like to decorate for Halloween and as a result we hand out nearly 400 bags of candy each year to appreciative trick or treaters. I heard so many thank yous and compliments on our decorations over the years. Unfortunately every year things get stolen. Sometimes they actually go on to the porch to take what they want. Every year I tell myself I won’t bother next year because I’m sick of my things being taken. Some have suggested that I put cameras up to catch the thieves. Somehow that just takes the fun out of it for me.

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My Friends, as our world becomes more perilous with each passing day, people are searching for answers, but few are seeking Truth. In Matthew 24 and throughout Revelation, Jesus provides a window into the things that will come, prior to His return. The Lord makes it very clear in Ephesians 6:12, who our enemy is, “FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS AGE, AGAINST SPIRTUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES.” He not only warns us about our enemy, He provides His protection, “THEREFORE TAKE UP THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND.” (Ephesians 6:13) The most important element of God’s armor is the “helmet of salvation” for with it we are covered by the power of God, without it, there is no hope.

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The Tioga County Sheriff has stopped the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. road patrol in the Village of Owego and yet the village board still continues to play political games with staffing issues. There are not enough OPD officers to cover 24/7 shifts. The positions that the board refuses to fill have been funded. We, village taxpayers are paying for these positions in this year’s taxes. Call your trustee and tell them that overnight OPD coverage and full staffing at OPD be restored.

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I would like to suggest that the Tioga County board of elections consider relocating Berkshire’s polling place back to the town offices. The fire station was cold, poorly lit and a strong aroma of petroleum negatively impacted the air quality.

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The last few weeks some callers have urged voters to throw the bums out, namely republicans. At that time I doubted it, what are these people thinking. But after the vote on Tuesday night they were right, the bums were thrown out. How could I have ever doubted these callers? Foolish me.

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Republicans have won everywhere, millionaires have won everywhere. Men, women, and children lose everywhere. You will see.

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Well, the elections are finally over with and do you now think things are going to change very much since the balance of power has shifted in the senate and has been increased in the House of Representatives? I doubt it. We’ll still be going down the same bad road. What really needs to be done with all the problems that are facing this country, the biggest major problem, is the way government itself operates. They need to revamp the way the government works because the way it is now it just isn’t working very well. They need to start with just a few basic things, like term limits for members of congress. The fact that all legislation passed by congress must apply to everyone, it must apply to the people and members of congress equally. No legislation just for members of congress. No legislation for the people that members of congress exempt themselves from. That would be start. I’m saying a start, but there’s much more needs to be done, but this will never happen. Those people down there have got it made and they know they’ve got it made and no one is going to cut their own throats. Let’s sit back and see what happens. Personally, I don’t think things will improve that much. Obama’s still in the White House and anything that they pass he can veto and there’s no way on God’s good earth that they will be able to muster enough votes to override an Obama veto. We’ll see and then in 2016 we need someone who is a strong leader to lead this country. We’ll see if anyone emerges who meets those criteria.

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To the person or person who took my canoe from my Berkshire residence. I have one last request. I would appreciate it if you could return the canoe to where you found it, no strings attached. I will leave an envelope in the back of the shed for you as a reward if you haven’t gotten rid of it yet, please return it. There’s not going to be anyone waiting for you. You can wipe the canoe down of fingerprints or whatever. I would just like to have my canoe back. You can pick the reward up the night after you return the canoe.

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Not one, I repeat, not one comment in favor of a new fire station in north Owego. The only comments in this paper in favor of it are the president of the Town of Owego fire district commissioners and the Campville fire department president. Once it’s here it’s here to stay and we’ll pay for it for a long time.

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The Village of Owego keeps getting grant money to beautify existing buildings or tear down buildings or make the village look better but they never ever get rid of the orange and white barrels in the middle of the village that makes it look like a dump. The orange and white barrel on the corner of Court and Main has been there for at least five years. Now there’s another one across the street in front of the upstairs, downstairs store. My god they’re proliferating. Pretty soon we are going to have a whole street full of orange and white barrels.

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The great divider Obama said his policies were on the line in this election. Now that those policies have been soundly repudiated the republicans should already be prepared to inundate Obama with bills to improve the economy, national prestige abroad and jobs. A really happy result is that Reed and Pelosi will soon be gone from our sight. Happy days are here again!

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Today is Nov. 5, the day after the landslide where the democrats were completely run over and now this is a funny deal, all of a sudden Obama wants input from the republicans! That’s funny, for the last six years he wanted nothing to do with them. But now without his little boy Harry Reid, he’s not going to be able to do much.

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I’m sure you guys have seen this as many times as I have, on Glenmary Drive, along West Beecher, Lisle and several areas how farm tractors will travel with their forks straight out. I think when they drive they don’t have a rolled hay bail on the forks, those forks should be right up in the air not poking straight forward and have a red flag on them so people can see them – because I’ve known instances with garbage trucks doing the same thing. I’m not going to mention any names but it’s mainly on Glenmary Drive, Catlin, Thorn Hollow, West Beecher. Farmers be aware of it and raise your forks.

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Oct. 15 was the start of IBM retirees having to choose their health care plan for this year and IBM has not even sent the stuff to look at yet. That’s not the IBM I knew. That really cuts down on the time a retiree has to look into anything.

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Has anyone noticed how many streetlights are not working in Owego besides me? Half of the bridge lights are out. Many downtown lights are out well, the exit on ramp and off ramp lights are out, and all of Southside and Turnpike Road lights. What is NYSEG doing all day?

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Interesting. Two of the most vocal activists against fracking are from the Great Bend, Hallstead, Pa. area. They can be counted on to be in the front row, waving signs, etc. Both have active, no problem wells on their land producing gas, and thus profits to them, yet they protest. Kind of makes you wonder about their principles and values, doesn’t it?

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I have always found that ham makes my teeth feel funny. Can anyone tell me why this is? Also, I am very interested in senior citizen beauty pageants. If anyone knows of any in the region, I would appreciate the information. I am in good shape for my age, have a full head of hair and teeth, and would do well in the talent portion of any competition. Thank you.

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To Mr. Wiley who responded to my letter concerning the hypocrisy of environmentalists. One can easily draw the conclusion that the marchers are a bunch of homeless bums based on your description of them. However, I know most of them are not and your statements are just plain false. Many of these folks do in fact have iPhones in addition to all kinds of technology, use natural gas daily, and are wearing cloths made in part from oil. Approximately 99 percent of our clothes come from overseas and do you think they are using natural dyes and materials? Look at the tags on your sneakers and you’ll most likely read; 90 percent manmade material.” That means oil made material. I do in fact know what is being done to protect air, land and water. You and the marchers should learn more and throw your support behind Focus Fusion if you truly want us off fossil fuels for energy and our lights on 24/7/365, which solar and wind do not nor ever will provide. Visit www.focusfusion.org to learn more. Until then get real folks and stop pretending you’re not the cause of the problem. Again New York gets 60 percent of its energy from natural gas and the demand here is increasing because of you, but you are all against natural gas and pretend not to use any. Hypocrites.

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To the person who mentioned a class action lawsuit against the village for the unfair sewer increases to landlords, we have been in touch with our lawyer, and there are other things to try first. If you have access to Facebook, join our group: Owego Villagers for Fair Sewer Charges. If not, leave us your phone number in another post, and we’ll get back to you.

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I wonder if the town realizes they have a PAID fire department? Ten people on the Town Fire District’s payroll with more to come to staff this new fire station. Not only are we paying their salaries but their retirement and benefits too. I caution anyone who might donate to the CAMPVILLE and SOUTHSIDE fire departments to remember this while you are paying this 22 percent tax increase and buying them a new $1.1 million fire station.

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Due to continued un-appreciation, among other things, I, the Owego Avenger (the Masked Man of Owego) have decided to hang up my mask. It was fun, and inspiring while it lasted. I’ve tried warning fellow Owego people of what the cemetery is becoming, but whatever. No more masked man. I bet the farm this won’t get printed.

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The First Transit Bus has had problems before but has always found a way to keep the bus going. I have used the bus getting back and forth to work for a few years now. If a resolution is not found, I may have to give up my job and so will many of the other people who depend on the bus to get to work.

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In regards to the person who wrote about “climate change being a Hoax” as stated by a cofounder of the Weather Channel, you should have looked a little further and found the facts you seem to prize so much. One quick look at Snopes.com and other web pages reveals that John Coleman, who spouted his statement on FOX in October, was never a climatologist. He was a weather broadcaster. “His degree, received 50 years earlier at the University of Illinois, was in journalism. And then there was the fact that the research that Coleman was rejecting wasn’t “the science of meteorology” at all – it was the science of climatology, a field in which Coleman had spent no time – read more at http://www.snopes.com/. In science, we never change our behaviors on the basis of one research result, but rather look for replication. His opinion is not a research result and Coleman never conducted any research, he just got mad because in 2007 the lights were turned down during a football game in honor of “Green is Universal Week.” FOX is the biggest perpetrator of climate change denial and I am sorry that the person who wrote about this non-scientist is so easily swayed.

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If the village is going to create a new traffic pattern at Main and North streets, they should consider a ‘DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION’ sign for eastbound cars on Main Street. This intersection is often blocked for cars that want to turn left into Court Street.