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.
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In response to the suggestion in last week’s column, I am pleased to see that folks want to utilize Kirby Park and especially to commemorate Memorial Day. However, candle balloons (sky candles) can be a fire hazard. They can travel significant distances from the point of release, which creates a serious fire and safety hazard because of the potential to start an unintended fire on or off the property from which they are released. “The Office of Fire Prevention and Control holds the opinion that sky lanterns meet the definition of Recreational Fires as defined in Section 302.1 of the Fire Code and consequently, these devices require constant attendance as required by Section 307.5 of the Fire Code.” Also as a note, fires are prohibited in Kirby Park.
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It is time for the Village of Owego to replace the stop sign at the west end of Erie Street where it meets East Avenue. The “Stop” requirement at the old one seems to have expired.
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Your attention please. Common Core is NOT a Federal program. It was established by a consortium of state education departments and implemented by states. The President cannot kill it. Congress cannot kill it. Any candidate for Federal office (President and Congress) who says he will kill it is either extraordinarily misinformed about it or is lying to you.
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Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again. One of the things he wants to do is deport 11,000,000 people who came here because America is great and wants to bar refugees who want to come here because America is great. Have you noticed that he doesn’t say what other conditions would have to be in place to meet his definition of great? All double-speak and no substance in his speeches.
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Boy, have we come a long way – in the WRONG direction! From U.S. Government statistics, if you currently have all your bills paid, mortgage, rent, car payment, utilities, etc., no debt, and have $10 in your pocket, you are wealthier than 50 percent of the American population! Our GDP is averaging about 1 percent per year. Under Reagan, it was 7 percent. We have 94 million Americans out of work and 50,000 on food stamps. All of this in seven years because of the policies of the current walking disaster fraud occupying the White House. Want more of this, vote for Hillary OR Bernie!
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This is in response to the reader who suggested sending lighted balloons up on Memorial Day from Kirby Park in Nichols. While I appreciate the sentiment of wanting to honor those who died in service to the United States of America, the release of candle lit balloons is a very bad idea for two reasons: 1) the fire hazard involved and 2) the environmental impact on wildlife. I might suggest instead that the person organize a service with a short speech, some appropriate music and songs and ending the service with candlelight similar to what several churches do on Christmas Eve.
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A Big thank you goes out to Adam Weitsman for his donation to the Village of Spencer for its Police Department. Now for the real question, how much does the Village of Spencer pay for police protection for its approximate 734 people? Talk about mismanagement! With all the real problems that the Town and Village of Spencer has they waste money on this. I suppose the Sheriff will lay off a couple of Deputies now. I hope these cops and K-9’s do more than sit on Main Street and write tickets to working people. Also, I hope Adam bought them a flashlight so they can work at night.
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Tioga School taxpayers please be aware that the Tioga school board and administration is planning a 7.63 percent tax hike for this year on top of the 17.2 percent they got last year! When will it end? Why is this district not being more accountable? Get out to vote on May 17 or don’t complain.
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Sen. Cruz was in Binghamton on Friday, April 15, and said if elected he would cancel all of Obamacare, get rid of the IRS and install a flat tax, but he did not say how or when he would do this. I think he should tell the how part not just make the statement. I feel that every candidate for the primaries should also tell who their running mate would be. I certainly do not vote for a person and then have them pick a ding-a-ling for their partner.
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Jail time is what the assistant coach at Penn State got for molesting children when he was younger. The same should hold for former U.S House speaker Hastert. His ‘public shaming’ just does not hack it for the same major criminal offense. There should be no special laws for judges, lawmakers, athletic players, movie stars and other high profile people. It is worse than disgusting. It is B.S.! When are we going to start standing up for ourselves and stop the different strokes for different folks? Maybe Trump has the right idea.
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Noise Ordinance – another knee jerk reaction to someone using their land. How can you regulate noise? You have to regulate what causes the noise and in most cases that requires land use laws or Zoning laws. Get with it people!
