Readers’ Column for the week of Dec. 14, 2014

(Readers Column)

You may call the Owego Pennysaver Readers’ Column at (607) 687-2378 24-hours a day, or e-mail comments to readerscolumn@stny.rr.com. We reserve the right to revise or reject any message.

Kudos to the Town of Owego highway employee who plowed Van Riper Road and Meadow Lane on Thursday morning after the snowstorm. It was the best plowing job I’ve ever seen here. Thank you and keep up the good work.

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It is the time for Thanksgiving but like many of our countries founding principals it is being ignored. History proves our founders planted deep Godly roots. They are so deep that they provide hope for our world. Some in today’s world believe that instead of encouraging work, modeled by the Pilgrims, 50 percent of us cannot succeed without the other 50 percent support. It didn’t work for the Pilgrims or the Biblical talents and won‘t work now. Some of the 50 percent need great to small assistance to move ahead. The others are being deprived of the happiness work brings. Bless our Wonderful country that broke out of the 2,000 year box, freeing us to succeed without government control. Brag about our founding or it will be demolished in favor of a suppressive failed system.

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Where in Owego or the surrounding area do they sell luminaries, which are candles set in sand inside a paper bag and put outdoors on Chrisrmas Eve? I believe the luminaries were sold by Special Olympics. Please respond to this column.

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The man-made climate change hoax has been dealt a couple more killing blows. Al Gore and company predicted hurricanes and increased violent weather – not so. No disastrous hurricanes in the U.S. in the past five years! Ozone hole is closing, nearly “healed”, in spite of the dire warning that we are all going to croak from UV rays from the sun. Yea, right. And if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor, etc.

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Readers’ please beware of what you ask for. Right now gas is coming down in price, so much so that the American oil producers will soon have to lay off the high paid oil workers because we cannot compete with low retail oil prices. OPEC if just playing games with us. LOOK OUT!

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I would like to thank the men who collect our recycled garbage each week. You do an excellent job and deserve recognition. Thank you!

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I have a free General Electric television to give away. It is a floor model, about 40-inches wide with a 25-inch screen. Picture quality is still good, and the piece itself is in great shape with some intricate wood design. Call (607) 625-2412.

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“Naturally, the common people don’t want war… it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along … All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.” — Hermann Goering, Nazi

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For those who say they don’t want big government, Government owned and operated by big corporations is even worse.

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“I’ve looked at the religious right’s agenda of being against people who are homosexual, and being for prayer in the school, and being against abortion. I can find about five scriptures that may speak to those issues, and four of them they misinterpret. But none of them took this ethical demand – that you love your neighbor as yourself.” — Rev. William Barber II

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To the Community Care Network of Nichols, Tioga Center High School cafeteria staff and the various student clubs, the Nichols Boy and Girl Scouts troops and the variety of entertainment at last Sunday’s annual Share-A-Thon. This event is a very worthwhile one that helps many of the area families and seniors. Thanks for all you do, it is much appreciated!

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A special meeting of the Riverside Cemetery Association (Lounsberry), Nichols, N.Y. is to be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the home of Neil Hall Jr. at 108 Pamela Dr. in Nichols. This meeting is to discuss the future of the cemetery and to determine the course of action for its’ future as an independent association or to turn the cemetery over to the Town of Nichols because of the lack of necessary funds to maintain and run the cemetery. Any lot owner or direct descendant (family member) is eligible to participate and vote on the direction and future of this cemetery. Monetary donations are gratefully accepted at anytime to help with annual care of this cemetery. Contact Neil Hall Jr., association chairperson at (607) 699-3099.

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Reply to “Uncalled for” conditions during voting in Berkshire submitted by Jim Simmons. I am replying to Mr. Simmons’ letter to the editor of last week. I do agree the conditions were “uncalled for” and it looked, to me like Mr. Simmons was putting the blame on the Berkshire Fire Company. HOWEVER, the Tioga County Board of Elections was responsible for this change of venue. Here is the story as I know it. The Board of Elections approached the Fire Company for permission to use the Fire Station as the voting venue. The fire company told them, in advance, that the meeting room would NOT be available. The auxiliary was having a chicken and biscuit dinner and had planned this since the previous year! The Board of Elections was told the voting would have to take place in the truck bay area. It was the Board of Elections’ CHOICE to accept this or not. Apparently they accepted because a notice of change of venue was sent to voters in our area. I, for one, was surprised to see a change in venue in the first place. I did not understand why the Berkshire Town Hall was not being used, and still do not. You see, apparently I do not have the complete story on my end. The Berkshire Town Hall appears to have all the necessary requirements for the voting venue. Can someone tell me the reason behind the Board of Elections changing venue?

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There was a fire / explosion at the Regency Natural Gas Compressor on Dec. 2, 2014 in Springville, Pa. in Susquehanna County. The local fire company and the county Emergency Management responded.

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With the defeat of Mary Landrieu in Louisiana, we’re one more step closer to erasing the stain on this country’s reputation and history by stopping Nobama and all he stands for. Like it never even happened. YES!

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I have one question for the person who is so upset about “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” and that is: Are you out of your mind? There is no “War on Christmas” unless you are completely brainwashed by FOX “news.” Anyone is free to say, “Merry Christmas” to whomever they want, whenever they want. All we ask is that those of us who recognize other faiths, or no faith at all, be allowed to say “Happy Holidays” instead. Christians are not the only believers who have a right to celebrate at this Holy time of year, so get over it already.

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“Isaiah chapter 10 reads, ‘Woe to those who legislate evil, and rob the poor of their rights and make children and women their prey.’ That’s why I tell my progressive friends, you’ve got to stop throwing away the Bible. There’s too much good stuff in there.”

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Regarding the death of the man selling loose cigarettes in NYC: Only in NYC would law enforcement try to clap handcuffs on a person for allegedly doing that (a tax law violation of some level), history or not. Here, people are being written appearance tickets for offenses up to and including some Felonies. Appearance tickets. That means the accused shows up for Court at a date and time on the ticket, himself. No free trip to jail, or takedown on a city street. And no death to explain. If the person does not show up for Court, then, depending on the level of the alleged offense, they might be brought in via a warrant. Unfortunate, right, wrong or in between, this should have never happened, and the taxpayers of NYC just got another hit (future Civil Suit in the multiple millions, you can bet on it), and we all get to be shamed to death all day every day because somehow are also responsible. I think not.

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All men are created equal except if you have lots of money, then you are treated more equal than those who do not have lots of money. Case in point is Dec. 4, 2014.

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If you know of any service men and women with Candor ties, please call 659-5625. The Candor American Legion Auxiliary would like to send thank you cards for the holidays. Thank you.

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I’m trying to find the whereabouts of Debbie Bracken who lived on Roki Boulevard in Nichols 45 years ago. If anybody knows of her whereabouts or how I can contact her if you would call, text or leave a message on my cell, my number is (607) 221-1102. I would so much like to reconnect with her.

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The red light at the corner of Main Street and North Avenue going towards the TOPS Plaza is set for 2 1/2 minutes, that’s right, 2 1/2 minutes. So you set there for 2 1/2 minutes and there are four cars that are able to get through the light and then it changes back to red. Then you set for another 2 1/2 minutes. So it just took me five minutes to go from Lake Street to Park Street That is absolutely ridiculous!

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Can somebody tell me why Cal Harris isn’t back in jail? He shouldn’t be out on bail. I think everybody that was denied bail should sue the judges or whatever to get put out on bail to get out just like Cal Harris.

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This is to the person or persons who keep bashing Obama. You may not like the man, you may not like the color of his skin, you may not like the way he parts his hair, you may not like his policies but you need to show more respect for the office he holds whether you agree with him or not. I don’t see anybody here from this local area running for office of the president of 2016 to change things. If you can’t run for office and change things then show respect for the office at least.

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This is for the obamacrat buffoon who worries about the republicans taking over congress. Look at it this way. The republicans will now have 1/3 control of the government but that won’t be until January. For you low information callers there are two other coequal branches of government. Just remember, the republicans can’t possibly do any worse than emperor Obama. He has single handedly wrecked the economy, divided the U.S. populous by political party, income level, race and age. No president in history has saddled the next generation with a $20 trillion debt. More than all the other presidents combined since George Washington. Thank God the American voter is waking up and making wiser choices.

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It’s Rebecca Burdick’s birthday on Dec. 20, if you see her wish her a 13th happy birthday. This is her mother, I love you sweetheart, it’s mommy. You have a good day, okay?

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While walking on Main Street in Owego I found a memory locket, silver with a lot of little charms inside the case. If you could identify the name on one of the charms I will see that you get this necklace back. You can call me at 785-3067 and leave a message.

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I have a feeling when the republicans control congress and the house nothing will change come first of the year. They will bicker with their democrats. Now’s their chance to change the law if they like or don’t like. They don’t care anything about the average citizen. They only care about lining their pockets just like their opposition does.

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Hip Hip Hurray for the big article on the front page of the Pennysaver where the service deal with Chemung Transit or CTRAN teaming up for the bus service for here in Tioga County. So Tioga County, how long was this in the dealing? Since the first of the year when First Transit took it over? The loss of the bus service is not exactly due to the Medicaid transportation. It is due to legislation’s ignorance on how the bus service operated. Did the legislature ever sit down with someone who had knowledge of the bus service, to learn about it? Did you every once ride to Ithaca to see how many people use the bus service to go to work? Did you ever consider the people who depend on it to get to the Department of Social Services for classes and/or to collect their benefits? As far as the Medicaid being cheaper by taxi, what rock are you hiding under? Your job was to oversee cutting routes, making more Medicaid recipients use the bus service and not taxis. Good luck with your new adventure Tioga County. What’s going to happen when CTRAN discontinues their service?

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I am interested in a slide projector that takes 2-inch slides. If you have one you are selling for a reasonable cost, please call me at (607) 687-7917.

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This is to everyone I used to send Christmas cards to. I want to wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as I can no longer afford the postage.

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I agree with that random testing in the pre-care schools with these people using drugs, marijuana or any other kind of drugs. I believe they should do that. Whoever said it, clean it up!

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This is Linda Hawkins, I just want to wish all my friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as I can no longer send cards to everybody. Have a good one!

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Some low information, poorly informed reader called in to say that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer because it’s Obama’s fault, after all Obama is the president. Where has he been since the republicans took over the House of Representatives and Mitch McConnell has been ranting and raving about blocking everything that President Obama tries to do. The republican obstructionists have thwarted every measure that will help the middle class and the poor. The republicans are responsible for the fact that one in every five children in the Southern Tier goes hungry; they are relentless in cutting money for food programs. They are against healthcare for all of us. These millionaires are just completely out of touch. Maybe that ill informed reader will wake up and understand what obstruction measures mean for all of us.

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It’s the time of year again when the town fathers of the Town of Tioga are working on a budget and giving themselves a raise and we have roads in the area that are hardly more than a cow path. They are fill with potholes and we can’t get them fixed. I just think it’s despicable that they can continue to give themselves a raise for the little time that seems to be spent taking care of the business of the Town of Tioga and yet people have to repair their cars due to the potholes and the bad roads that exist.

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It was so nice to see more support for C TRAN. As a former driver for Ride Tioga, I wish she and the county would have given me that support. No support for unemployment, no support to help find another job, now no job and no bus service. How do I get to the Department of Social Services to find a job?

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Follow the news. Why are we not surprised that the republicans don’t want the Bush / Cheney torture report released? The sadism reflected in sickening accounts of CIA torture now outlawed by President Obama somehow mirror the total lack of empathy that leads republican lawmakers to continue to assault our middle class and poor in their ruthless shedding of the safety net; especially cutting food programs that help hungry children and veterans, many of whom are in fact working people.

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A comment on points made in last week’s column commenting on the content and omissions in the letter from the Mayor of the Village of Owego. First, the Mayor was relaying informative information on the actions taken by the state to mediate the turn on North Avenue, as it is not a village roadway. Second, the bus service in and out of Owego was a Tioga County function, not a village operation. Third, FEMA. The reason perhaps for the confusion is the Federal Administrators of the program continue to reassign the claim adjuster’s duties to a new set of federal administrators. Each reassignment comes with a certain number of re-directions and requests for paper work already submitted. Most towns and villages have had many reassignments and are still working on open claims. Lastly, Assistance for the Aging is a function of the county. Please contact Tioga Opportunities Office for the Aging or Tioga County Social Services for services you may need, as these also are not a village function. The services the village is charged to do is financial planning and accountability to the taxpayers and the state, public safety, both person and property, code enforcement, justice court and enforcement, public parks and street repairs and maintenance, as employers and human resources for the support and administration personnel, and to maintain compliance with ever increasing state regulations for village operations. They are there to maintain the venue for the community to sponsor the things you enjoy when visiting the shops and stores, and promote events such as the “Lights on the River” festival this past week or the “Strawberry Festival” in the spring. Though you may find anyone of “The Village People” personally involved and working with community groups to help make it happen.

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I was so pleased to learn that Mr. Verne Filmore will once again perform a concert of Christmas music for the organ. Note this concert will be at the Campville Methodist Church, Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m. The church is on 17C going east out of Owego. The church is opposite the Campville Fire station, 15 minutes from Owego.

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I guess it must be nice to have money, be able to get convicted of murder twice and be able to walk the streets like nothing’s going on, and keep having things postponed. Pretty soon they’ll just throw it out and let him go free.

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Today is Jonathon Gruber day at the congressional hearings. For the low information obamacrats, Gruber was your mastermind behind Obamacare who said Americans were so stupid that Obama and his minions were justified in lying about Obamacare. Today the turncoat obamacrats like Diane Feinstein will try to crucify the CIA for using enhanced interrogation tactics on Islamic Jihadists who killed U.S. troops and are beheading U.S. civilians. Wow, horrors like sleep deprivation, dietary manipulation and water-boarding, which broke the thug behind 911, namely Kaleed Mohamed who broke in 75 seconds. I guess its just coincidence that Senator Feinstein was being investigated by the CIA. Obamacrats hate the like of truth, especially when their accomplices in the lame stream media cover for them.

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Here we go again. Another group from the Owego Fire Department are trying to take away the voting rights of lifetime members. I did my share of responding in my younger years. I can’t make calls now because I’m not in good health. We fought for our rights when that other group tried to take our vote away. We all need to band together! Save your voting rights. Vote NO on Dec. 18 at the Owego Fire Station.

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The man who shot his dog and left her to die should be shot. I hope the authorities will punish him severely. Cruelty should stop!

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The latest republican tricks. Republicans lawmakers are trying to put in the defense authorization bill a provision that will permit Wall Street banks to have free reign in the kind of gambling that brought on the recent recession. Wall Street lobbyists have written a law provision that would mean the taxpayers would underwrite any bank failures similar to the one that projected us right into the worst recession since the 1930’s. Is your congressman going to support this republican measure that once again makes the taxpayers bailing out the Wall Street banksters?