Readers’ Column for the week of Nov. 20, 2016

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.

Wondering what gifts to give for Christmas? Just thought I’d share with you an idea. I have done this a couple of times in the past and I love it, but now my whole family is on board. Rather than give gifts that are neither needed nor wanted, donate the money to a favorite charity. I am a Senior and I’m trying to get rid of stuff, not accumulate more! Even my 12 year old granddaughter, who is really ‘into’ horses and horseback riding, is going to get at least one donation to a ‘horse rescue’ organization. I know there are several small groups that try to buy each other small gifts that don’t amount to a hill of beans. Pool your money! Donate! Think about St. Jude’s, Shriner’s, The Smile Train, local animal shelters, Cornell’s Birdwatch, the Humane Society, a church, your local food bank, maybe even to your child’s classroom. There are so many worthy organizations! What’s your passion? I’m telling you, it’ll make you feel good! I know that for a fact! Just thought I’d share.

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The head of the Broome County legislature presented a budget for 2017 that was sure to pass until Mrs. Preston got dumped by the electorate, at least partly because of some shady dealings. Now the republicans who control the vote are changing their plan. What shoddy party politics! It will be interesting to see if the Republican D.A. prosecutes.

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Every year, for 11 years now, the Newark Valley Historical Society has put on a dinner on Veterans Day for veterans and spouses that live in Newark Valley, Berkshire and the Richford area. It is well attended. I would like to thank the Historical Society volunteers for all the work involved in putting on the event. Besides the excellent food served, there is also a program. Jim Raftis Sr. has been the Master of Ceremonies and the Owego VFW Honor Guard also participates. We know how busy a day it is for Jim Raftis and the VFW Color Guard. Just want to thank all involved for making a very nice and patriotic event for all veterans and spouses in attendance.

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For those upset over the Trump presidency, remember Joe Hill’s message to Bill Haywood when facing down a firing squad: “Goodbye, Bill, I die like a true blue rebel. Don’t waste any time mourning. Organize!” The quote that usually goes out is, “Don’t mourn. Organize!” Anyway, the meaning is there. It is encouraging to see people out in the street protesting, but are they willing to do the hard work that comes next? News at 11.

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I have come up with a solution to the transgender problem. Have individual toilets with a lock on the door. It works at our house.

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The Owego Village board started talking about increasing their term of office. We better start a petition or whatever, or the first thing you know they will sneak it through. I think this board is a shifty bunch who campaign to be all for the people of the village and it is not turning out that way since we elected them.

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Trump’s election has got to be one of the worst things that has happened during my lifetime of 90 plus years. It was both a surprise and a disappointment for me. A disappointment that bigotry, racism, and misogyny are still too much alive. A disappointment because evolution has not improved intelligence of the population. A disappointment that buffoonery was valued more than experience and judgment. A disappointment that saving the environment will take a step backward. A disappointment that we will continue to follow practices and policies that resulted in the demise of the great empires of the past. I had hoped and expected better. I had hoped common sense would have carried the day.

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Thank you, from John and Barb Keener, to everyone involved with the fundraising benefit in support of our family that was held at the Rawley Park in Richford on Sept. 10. We are completely overwhelmed by the love, support, and generosity you have shown to us in this difficult time. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless you all.

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A post in last week’s column said there was free bowling, free pizza, and free soda for school age children at Owego Bowl next Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Just for clarification, this event is held the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 25.

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Follow the good news. This election boiled down to the big cities against the country and the little city folks and the latter one. Trump must keep his word and not fall prey to the liberal liars who feign cooperation. Trump should focus on three or four key actions and ignore the Marxist/Democrat demonstrators also known as the Looney left. Dump Obamacare and implement a healthcare system which really allows you to pick your doctor and insurance company and institute a safety net policy for the working poor, get that, working folks and those truly unable to work. Trump should abrogate the stupid Obama/Iran deal. He should secure our borders and stop illegal immigration cold. Guess what’s going to happen at the borders between now and when Trump takes over in January 2017? And finally, Trump should prosecute those who thought they were above the law. These actions would be a great start for Trump’s first year. I hope he succeeds. 

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Here’s a tip for you people that are missing cats. Take their litter box and set them outside your house and they can smell it up to a mile away. Maybe it will work for you because I see a lot of missing cats in this column.

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Well, the worst thing that could have happened just happened. This country just elected the devil. The true devil if one ever existed. He’s going to reverse all the gains we’ve had in the last hundred years. He’s going to turn this country back into the dark ages. This is a dark day for this country.

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For all you so called Christians that voted for the devil himself. You should be ashamed of yourself for selling out your fellow countrymen. I know at this time you’re celebrating with joy but eventually God will judge you harshly when you come before him and God will take care of the business that needs to be taken care of because he’s a fair man, he does not appreciate the bigotry and the lies that the news people told you to get you to vote this way. You have destroyed this great country we live in and God will judge you harshly.

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I want to express a big thank you to Pat for donating the stuffed animals and beanie babies to the Family Enrichment Network. The children absolutely love them. They put smiles on their faces and the teachers were so happy to have these in their classroom for children when they were upset. So thank you so much Pat, you made a lot of children very happy and teachers, too. Thank you so much!

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Hopefully Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea will ride off into the sunset. Their highly corrupt political careers are over. They’ve been over since Bill’s many affairs. They were only fooling themselves thinking Hillary would be our 45th president. As much as I wish they would stay out of the picture and leave the American people alone, somehow I don’t think that’s going to happen being that she’s got all the scandals and ongoing investigations to come. The American people have spoken and want nothing to do with them. Goodbye!

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So many times my presidential candidates did not win. I never thought of turning to violent protests. Could someone explain these to me? People need to grow up and realize life doesn’t always go your way. What is happening to people?

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How refreshing, the Southern Tier voted overwhelming for Donald Trump. Donald Trump stepped over three big political families – the Bush’s, the Clinton’s and the Obama’s. What a breath of fresh air!

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Anybody in touch with what’s really happening in our country had to know those polls were incorrect showing Hillary leading by double digits. I knew she would be very surprised on Election Day. Come to find out they were only polling her Democratic friends. 

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So now all those Hollywood celebrities who said they would leave the United States if Trump won said just kidding and they’re not leaving. What a huge disappointment. I was hoping they were already gone.  

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I would like to know if there is an ordinance in the Town of Owego about blowing lawn waste out into the street because there is an individual on Clover Road who feels the need to blow every bit of lawn waste from his yard into everybody else’s yard as well as into the street and also blows it up and down the street in front of everybody else’s house. I feel this is very inconsiderate and arrogant. I was just wondering if there was any law against this as there is like blowing snow into the street. 

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I want to send a big thank you to the lady who paid for my groceries Friday, Veterans Day, at the Price Chopper in Owego. Some of those groceries were for the boy scouts who were picking them up on Saturday on my porch for food pantries and empty shelves to be distributed. Thank you so much!

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News flash! I’m quoting a report from a trusted source that lives along the Canadian border. She reports that dozens of sociology professors, liberal arts majors, global warming activists, green energy yahoos, Democrat elites, pardoned prisoners, and Hollywood pukes are sneaking across the Canadian border every single night. They are terrified that Trump will force them to work, hunt, pray, pay taxes, respect the police and military, and can you believe it, live according to the constitution. Let’s all hope the Canadians have plenty of room for these Liberal buffoons.

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Correction to one of your comments. Trump is our 45th, not 46th president as printed.

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I would just like to say congratulations to the white uneducated voters. You have now been conned by the biggest con of New York State. 

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I am neither a Democrat nor Republican, but I’ll tell you, you Republicans that voted that Mr. Trump in, your going to get exactly what you paid for. You wait and see if I’m right or not.

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Thank you to last week’s reader for taking the time to answer my World Series question. I appreciate that. 

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For those who lost the election, get over it. Clinton didn’t even come out to her supporters on election night. The Clinton’s truly feel political corruption is acceptable as they are now grooming Chelsea for congress, how ridiculous. Chelsea is deeply involved in the Clinton Foundation corruption. If the Clinton’s can’t accept rejection, then someone needs to explain to them that the American people are tired of them, now and in the future. 

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Isis followers are being encouraged to attack on U.S. soil at outside events, possibly the Macy’s Day Parade. I am so glad Hillary did not get elected as it would have been so much more of this. Go Donald! He will get tough on Isis.

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I’m getting rid of my cable soon. I’m getting tired of Fox News, everyone self-promoting their own books. MSNBC and CNN were so nasty and lied leading up to the presidential election. I want Fox to report its news, not promote books, and maybe CNN and MSNBC can get new commentators. 

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If you want the best pizza and subs around, a little known shop called the Sub Factory is on Old Owego Road across from Ross Corners Christian Academy in Ross Corners. They have the fattest subs you can eat, they are well worth the money and the pizza is delicious. They need publicity, they are just a little family owned business and boy is stuff good there! 

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Thank God Donald Trump is going to make America great again. There’s just one problem. You Trump lovers out there think he’s this great savior; he’s driving foreign made vehicles. Think about it. Everything made in this country and yet you buy foreign. Now that makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? It’s pretty hypocritical don’t you think?

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I’m a person who enjoys walking so much in the Village of Owego. Now that the weather’s beginning to get a bit colder I am astonished how much wood burning smell there is, in particular in the historic zone along Front Street. In the Village of Owego, the wood stove air pollution down there is unbelievable. Owego should take a look at the clean air act 111 and shut these wood stoves down. The pollution is unbelievable, especially in our treasured historic zone.

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A biblical message for the Trump voters and supporters, “As ye sow, sow shall he reap.” Think.

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Jesse Jackson has asked Obama to pardon Hillary regarding her email scandal. Outrageous! Would you or I be given that same pardon? There’s currently a sailor in jail for one year for taking one single picture in a classified area. When he is released he will be monitored for another six months. Again, proof that the Clinton’s and many others believe they are above the law. She needs to stay home and relax.

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Who would want to live in any sanctuary city like Chicago with illegal immigrants where everyday murders are off the charts and drug cartels are running the streets? Go Donald Trump! Clean up this mess left by Obama and Clinton!

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I find it mildly amusing that Hillary has blamed many others for her loss, but not herself. She thought she was a sure win. If she had come out of her ivory tower and connected with the hard working, struggling middle class in this country the election may have been different. How sad that she still, to this day, does not get it.

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Black Friday bowling is coming up on Friday, Nov. 25, for all school age children. There will be free bowling, free soda, and free pizza at Owego Bowl from 1 to 5 p.m.