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.
Our OACSD has distinguished itself this year with a truly exceptional national ranking of the girls swim team as 3rd in Class 5, and 2nd highest teachers’ salaries in the Southern Tier at $61,900. The highest is Lansing at $62,600. Candor, Tioga Central, Newark Valley, Ithaca, U-E, and Spencer-Van Etten are $49,000, $50,600, $55,422, $51,200, $57,362, and $53,450, respectively. The Vestal salary average is unavailable to a prolonged battle with its teachers union. There is no correlation between the accelerated increases in OACSD salaries and benefits since 2008, therefore, what makes OACSD so undesirable that the most expensive compensation packages are required? Last year’s near 0 percent property tax cap was partially a function of the fact that the assessed value of our tax base shrank.
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Now that fracking has been banned, maybe the Towns can concentrate on other problems like cleaning up some of the trash, junk and maybe encourage people to want to move here.
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The decision [on fracking] was based on a recommendation from state Acting Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, who led a long awaited review of the potential health impacts of large-scale fracking. Ultimately, Zucker concluded there are too many areas where the science on the technique is inconclusive, and he urged the state to prevent it from moving forward. “Would I live in a community with (high-volume hydraulic fracturing) based on the facts I have now?” Zucker asked. “Would I let my child play in a school field nearby or let my family drink the water from the tap or grow their vegetables in the soil? After looking at the plethora of reports – my answer is no.” Zucker released his recommendation more than two years after the state Department of Health was asked to examine the state’s proposed guidelines for fracking. He inherited the review in May after former Health Commissioner Nirav Shah resigned. Source: Press & Sun-Bulletin; Dec. 18, 2014.
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Not until all the powers that be in Broome and Tioga Counties wake up will we have any benefit for the middle class who is picking up the tax bill. They have to put a stop to the IDA giving sales tax breaks and real estate tax breaks to all the millionaires who are building all the rental properties in the area and hardly giving a dime for out infrastructure. When are we going to learn?
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For decades, the U.S. federal and state governments have promoted CWF to improve dental health of residents at low costs. Yet, in spite of the presumed savings in dental costs to Americans due to widespread use of CWF, employment of dentists is projected to grow by 16 percent between 2012 and 2022 (vs. 11 percent for all occupations) (122), and cosmetic dentistry in the U.S. has grown to be a multi-billion dollar industry (123). The frequent claim by proponents of fluoridation that for every dollar spent on fluoridation saves $38 in dental costs has just been demolished in a comprehensively documented review article by Lee Ko and Kathleen Thiessen. Community water fluoridation proponents have a poor track record for cost estimates. The promise of reduced dental costs was based on flawed analyses. The Town of Owego needs to stop fluoridation of the town’s drinking water now and thereby lower the burden on taxpayers.
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Kudos to Town of Owego for layering dirt on top of dirt and turning Haus Road into a seasonal road. It is such a muddy mess that it’s almost impossible to two cars to pass without one sliding into the ditch.
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So, here we are again – quarterly sewer bills totaling $1,400 due on four properties. Just sewer. Just one quarter. This is on top of mortgages and oppressive flood loans. State Attorney General sends a “there’s nothing we can do about it” reply letter, and Libous, of course, nothing at all. Now where do we go? What stops Owego from raising taxes or fees to an obnoxious level on ANYTHING? Who, in the state, is there to protect us from this sort of thing?
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I would like to wish everyone I have sewed for a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. If your hems are too long, your zippers not zipping, or clothes not fitting, call Jean at 687-2069.
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There should be a limit on how long a post can be in this column. It is evolving into a series of anonymous letters to the editor.
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Candor Boy Scout Troop #42 set out Christmas wreaths around some of the local cemeteries this last weekend in honor of the veterans during this holiday season. With the snow on the ground it was a peaceful setting for a small ceremony and discussion of how thankful we all are for the veterans’ service and sacrifice for our country and freedom. How it is good to recognize them more than just on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, but to keep them in our prayers through out the year. Troop #42 wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!
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While it is hard to follow most of Trustee Hartman’s “Letter to the Editor” in last week’s Pennysaver, it looks like he is attempting to make four points. One, that he and three other trustees are not foot dragging; two, that he is not sure why it has been a struggle to keep and maintain a proper functioning police department; three, that he is not sure whether or not voters want a police department and four; that keeping taxes low leads to decreasing services. To point one: There have been five budgeted but unfilled police officers positions since April and Trustee Hartman has voted against hiring full time officers every time. To point two: It is very difficult for the Owego Police Department to have stability and retain personnel when they are under threat of abolishment every three or four years. To point three: An easy way to find to out if residents of the village want a police department would have been for trustee candidates to openly state their intention to abolish the police department and see what the voters think. Instead they said that they’d improve OPD and then refused to hire new officers and put the safety of police officers and the public at risk. To point four: The village budget that was passed by all of the trustees in July contained funding for a fully staffed OPD with a minimal tax increase. Taxpayers are now paying for a fully staffed police department, but they are not getting it because of opposition to a police department by the foot dragging four.
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I would like to say to the person or persons who found my wallet in the parking lot in Owego on Tuesday, Dec. 9 between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. – I hope your conscience keeps you awake at night. It wasn’t bad enough that you took all the money that I had to buy Christmas gifts with, a gift card from my son, and I’m sure you attempted to use my credit card as well. What upsets me more than the money being taken is the personal information that was in there. You could have turned the wallet in even after you took what you wanted. For your sake, I hope this never happens to you because then you will know exactly how violated it makes a person feel. Merry Christmas.
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To the party suggesting I have respect for the office Nobama holds. I do, I just have absolutely no respect in any way for the man himself. I mean saddling this country with 70 percent of an $18 trillion debt is unconscionable. As is his disrespect for the constitution. He needs to be held accountable for his actions. Impeachment comes instantly to mind!
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I am elderly and disabled and looking for a Good Samaritan to clean my chimney. I use a pellet stove for heating. This would be very much appreciated. Call Susan at (607) 598-7362.
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Does anyone know how many shale gas workers have died on the job in Pennsylvania? This might help us decide how safe the shale gas industry is.
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Hopefully someone is benefitting from the new Tioga bus service. I also am stranded as the bus stops one and a half miles from my place of business and won’t go any further. Merry Christmas.
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Congressional politicians, especially the republicans become less and less relevant except as they continue stupid budget cutting that impacts primarily our middle class and the poor with their relentless assaults on programs that not only help the poor, especially in food programs, but also that indirectly help farmers. Those in Washington are completely out of touch with the people they are represented to serve.
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The republican establishment under John Boehner did a grubber on the American people and betrayed them when he capitulated to Obama and funded Obamacare and illegal alien amnesty until October 2015. The American people spoke in November and said stop Obama Marxism and his path to destroy the U.S. I also agree with socialist Elizabeth Warren to who is at least an honest left-winger when she opposed backing big banks to allow ridiculous subprime mortgages, which is exactly why we taxpayers had to bail out big banks to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. Wake up America.
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I’m not sure what Mr. Hartman is trying to say in his letter to the editor last week but I guess if dragging wheels is the same as foot dragging seems like he’s been doing plenty of foot dragging.
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In his letter to the editor last week trustee Hartman complained that he isn’t able to inform the public of data that he garnered regarding OPD. It looks more like he is limited by his own inability to communicate as evidenced by that letter.
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We should stop this hyphenated American business. All it does is cause division. We are all Americans.
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I attended the Zion Lutheran School Christmas presentation on Dec. 12. What a beautiful performance, and Ann Marie Woodard who directs the children is to be complimented. She did a marvelous job! Every one of the children sang out loud and clear and it was beautiful.
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I would like to know what the Southern Tier Economic Development Counsel, which has been lobbying and putting in for millions of dollars for our Southern Tier region is doing? Doesn’t seem like any projects are being done in Tioga County. Is this a lack of our county legislatures or representatives? Can that question be answered by someone in politics?
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The Cantata at the Newark Valley Methodist church on Dec. 14 was fantastic! I just want to give a huge shout out to Julie Griffith for the job she did as choir director. She was just spectacular and everybody just loved the whole show. It was very uplifting and I really appreciate all the work Julie put into it.
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On Sunday Dec. 21, the United Methodist Church will be having a Christmas Candlelight service at 7 p.m. Please join us for a wonderful service and great fellowship. We would like to have everybody attend.
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Needed immediately! Caregivers so that a nursing home patient can return home. Call 642-3403 for information and referrals.
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So this is a message for the supervisor and the board. They don’t think they can afford another mechanic. My suggestion is buy a wrecker, they’re going to need it.
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I really don’t know if Mr. Hartman’s been dragging his heels but if he walks like he writes, he certainly is!
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A couple years ago a group tried to change voting qualifications for OFD. Now really? It nearly tore the department apart. Doesn’t this fire department have enough trouble already without stirring up old issues?
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I’m looking for someone to do caning on a chair that I have. Please leave your phone number in the column.
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It seems Trustee Hartman feels a need to explain to us why he appears to be dragging his feet on hiring police officers. Well Mr. Hartman, while you’re at it, try explaining what you have done to fix the billing system for the sewer. How much data do you need to figure out the current method will drive the people right out of the village. Then can you explain how the village is going to make up for the loss of money due to the loss of the Town of Owego Fire EMS services contract? How can you justify buying a new truck when we’ve lost coverage territory, trained firefighters, and close to $140,000 in revenue? Yes Owego Village taxpayers, Trustee Hartman is the commissioner and we have lost $140,000 because the Town of Owego no longer wants our services. So Mr. Hartman, is this the positive change that you had in mind when you ran for office? I don’t think so.
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I have lived in the Southern Tier most of my adult life and I’m almost 80. It amazes me that in order to get a casino license, Tyre is now considered part of the Southern Tier. It was never part of the Southern Tier, until Wednesday.
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I didn’t really see too many responses to the drug testing in daycare services. Apparently parents don’t care as long as they have a place to drop their kids off.
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Thank you Governor Cuomo for keeping fracking out of New York.
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Let’s support Tioga Downs. If you don’t gamble, come out for dinner. If you don’t want to come out for dinner come out for many of the concerts or whatever they do. Please, let’s support Tioga Downs. They do so much for the community and for the area.
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What? Tioga Downs actually lost out? Who are these people in this committee anyways? Let’s not sit down for this or lay down for this. Let’s protest this. Let’s take this to the highest court, the Supreme Court, whatever we can do. This is unbelievable!
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This is friendly reminder. People who are members of organizations should act like members and vote when they need to vote and back their higher ups. Also, blood is always thicker than water no matter what organization you belong to.
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In response to the Obama hater who blames the president for single handedly destroying the economy. What planet do you live on? It’s much better to be a low information voter than a totally wrong information voter.
