Readers’ Column for the Week of Dec. 4, 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.

The Town of Nichols has a Deputy Supervisor Councilman position receiving an additional $4,000 per year, plus the $6,000 per year, annually. This is $10,000 annually for one of four Town of Nichols Councilman positions (all positions are limited part time); all others receive $6,000. The town Supervisor ($25,000 annually) needs to explain to the taxpayers why an assistant (Deputy Supervisor) is needed to carry out Part Time Supervisor duties. The Town of Nichols has a code of ETHICS that needs to be read and signed by all elected officials. Maybe the taxpayers should consider “DRAINING THE SWAMP ”

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As the Democratic Party continues its sharp turn left with the reappointments of the same “old” leaders, such as Pelosi and Schumer, and the newly appointed chair to the Democratic National Committee, Keith Ellison (far, far left), the Democratic Party has all but conceded they are no longer a national party in our country and are mainly representing mainly three states: California, New York (let’s just say New York City, Albany and Buffalo here) and Massachusetts. Currently, two-thirds of the minority congress is from either the West Coast or the East Coast. Democrats are losing their national position while the country is being subjected to their juvenile hissy fits. They have demonstrated by illegal actions (SCOTUS rulings), illegal immigration (by power of the pen), government regulations (outside of the domain of Congress), and support of social justice movements which end up burning down our cities and setting up our police to be less effective to control riots, arrest criminals and protect our borders. Americans are tired of the divisiveness. For the Democrats, and based on their failure to recognize them in an effort to correct themselves, we as Republicans should rejoice as they continue on the path as a “party of Not-For-Americans”, and as the recent election so rightly attests.

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Owego Village Trustee Hartman is stumping for 4-year terms for the village office. I see no need for that because if a Trustee is doing a good job they get re-elected. Mr. Hartman has been re-elected, which proves the point, so we have continuity for projects. A 2-year term is too long if someone is not doing a good job and the people want the ability to vote him or her out. This question comes up every so often and it is a waste of the board’s time to keep pressing it. As for the Village board meetings, if you go you can ask a question, but the board usually just sits there and says that they do not have to answer. Sad, but true.

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This goes out to the person who had something to say to the 90 old in last week’s column. Racism, bigotry, misogyny, and stupidity (buffoonery) have been here for more years than you or I have been alive. It didn’t start with Obama, Bush, Clinton or any former president. It happened with people like you who think it is okay to poke fun at disabled people, say racist slurs, put women down for being women, be a bully on and off Twitter, etc. That 90 year old has lived through the 1929 Wall Street Crash, Great Depression, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, 9/11, 2008 economic crash and the continuing war in the Middle East. He or she has seen Hitler and the Nazis Regime, bombing of Pearl Harbor, nuking of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Cold War with Russia, the assassination of a president, Watergate (which caused President Nixon to resign), Reaganomics (which was a big failure), Clinton getting our economy back on track only to have it ruined again by G.W. Bush (which lead to the economic crash in 2008 which everyone blames Obama for). Now we have a president-elect who says he will make America Great Again. He’s not doing too good, is he? He refuses to go to security meetings, talks with foreign leaders on his private phone (which is just as bad or worse than Hillary’s use of a private server), offers foreign dignitaries deals if they stay in his hotels, has his daughter sit in on meetings with foreign dignitaries (nepotism), and has his son-in-law on his decision making team (nepotism). That 90 year old has seen more than you will ever see. Why? Because we will not have a country left when Trump and his minions get done with. Start honing up on foreign languages, you will need it. 

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“To understand what makes Burlington unlike almost any other city in America when it comes to the power it consumes, it helps to look inside the train that rolls into town every day. The 24 freight cars that pull up to the city’s power plant aren’t packed with Appalachian coal or Canadian fuel oil but wood. Each day 1,800 tons of pine and timber slash, sustainably harvested within a 60-mile radius and ground into wood chips, is fed into the roaring furnaces of the McNeil Generating Station, pumping out nearly half of the city’s electricity needs.” — America’s First All-Renewable-Energy City: Colin Woodward. Politico. Nov. 20, 2016.

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“He took a country that had been turned into a whorehouse and gambling casino for the United States, and gave that country dignity. He turned a country that was poor, remains poor, into a major location for the production of medical personnel, who have gone around the world and made themselves available to countries that could never afford that kind of assistance.” — Bill Fletcher of the Black Radical Congress speaking of Fidel Castro. “Fidel’s legacy is each Cuban and person in the world who has been touched by the revolution. Fidel’s legacy is in each person affected by our programs, in every life saved from Ebola, in every Haitian saved with our missions, in every Latin American who has had eye surgery.” — Elian Gonsalez, who was five years old when he was returned to Cuba from Florida in a case that drew international attention.

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The seamstress number is (607) 687-2069.

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It just does not seem right that big business can spend all kinds of money to buy land get planners and architects and lay out a big building plan and then go to the zoning board and in some cases go to the board of appeals when turned down and finally get approval in spite of the impact on people and neighborhoods. Then they go for building permits and come back for additions they knew about from day one. Then when they get final approval they go to the IDA and cry tears bigger than horse tears that they have lots of bucks involved but cannot proceed unless they get big real estate and sales tax concessions, and of course they will not be able to give people more jobs and help the economy. They have been playing this saw for years and it works every time. When are we going to get some officials who will say “NO” and look to the quality of life and the rights of lifelong citizens?

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The winner of the mind-boggling comment of the week goes to, “May I remind you, racism, bigotry, and misogyny was here when Obama took office. In fact, he introduced us to it!” Obama introduced us to it? Obama introduced YOU to it, maybe. The rest of us knew it was here.

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The Candor family who put up the tree sign has every right to put up a sign on their own property. If you didn’t like it, don’t look. Or better yet, put in the effort and put up your own signs! And as for the guy and his wife – when you go on that person’s property, that’s called Trespassing – you can’t do that. But the reason the police were called is because he was in the roadway and they caused an accident. Funny how fast they ran when it happened. I was getting text messages on the way home from church to watch out coming through Candor. Some guy was picketing, and almost hit him. This is still America, and the tree sign people have just as much right to their Opinion as you do.

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I think it’s a wonderful idea to have the new emblem be an arrowhead! This river valley has a deep and rich Native American history and it should be proudly displayed. As to the foolery about a flint arrowhead being the 1500’s version of “an automatic rifle, and assault type rifle”, there is far too much silliness in the country today. 

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I noticed that the Village of Owego only had one truck out during the last big snow storm, but they did the roads in such a great way. The village was so much better than the town. Thank you for keeping the roads clear so we could get through the village. Good job guys!

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I have 30-plus egg cartons to give away for free. Call 625-3833.

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I’d just like to say, all young people aren’t bad. I was at the Sunoco station at the corner of 38B and Route 26 and I was looking for a dollar. Instead of using a big bill, the young lady behind me paid for my drink. She didn’t have to do it but she was very nice and said Happy Thanksgiving, have a good day. 

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Follow the news. Bad news, especially for you Trump voters, the Republicans in Congress are going to privatize Medicare and whatever else they get done with this session. This means people with Alzheimer’s and dementia will now have vouchers to try to figure out to pay for their medical costs instead of the way Medicare has worked for decades, benefiting all of us senior citizens. Remember, Trump voters, you’re going to get big, big surprises when Medicare becomes privatized and you don’t know how to pay your medical bills. Bankruptcy? There’s who will be there to help you out through the worst financial times.

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While that Hillary didn’t have time to win the presidential election she has time to work on bringing the over 200,000 jobs she promised us. What do you think?

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Thank God the Democrats were dumb enough to pick Hillary as their choice. Now we see the Trump bump push the stock market to new highs. But as I said before, watch the Federal Reserve raise interest rates to try to tank the U.S. Economy. As far as Trump’s cabinets picks, here are my choices: General Petraeus as Secretary of State, Rudy Giuliani as Supreme Court Justice, Ted Cruz as Attorney General, Dr. Ben Carson in any job he cares to take, probably HUD Secretary. I’m not a Romney fan but if he must be a considered it should be as Secretary of Treasury. Go Trump!

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I’m calling in regards to the person who wrote about the first snowstorm of the season. You sound like a very unhappy person. Why don’t you try doing some volunteer work and get busy and stop thinking about snowstorms. Mark does a great job, he’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing and he was trying to make sure everybody was safe and that everybody got to work on time. 

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Town of Richford, please remove the large old corroded drainpipes taken out of Tubbs Hill Road. They have been left on the side of the road in several places and are a potential hazard for children who might decide to play on them.

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This is to the person who wanted to know of a seamstress that fixes clothes. Her name is Jean and her number is 687-2069.

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The guy who instigates these anti Trump protests should be locked up. Not Trump, he’s just starting out, give him a chance for Pete’s sake.

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I’m calling about the person who complained about the Town Supervisor not doing his job on Monday. First of all, the roads weren’t that bad. Second of all, you need to shut your pie hole. 

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Thank you NYPENN Highlander Bagpipe Band from Athens, you are the best! A special thanks to Mangialardo’s Restaurant for having them come in to play after the parade. This mom will cherish the memory and you too, Chris, for making me such a special birthday surprise. 

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Two things; first, it seems to me the people who treat tolerance the loudest are they, themselves, the least tolerant. Second; all the social issues in the world don’t mean squat if the economy is in the toilet. The Democrats ignored the majority of the U.S. Citizens to favor the few for too long. That is why Trump won.

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Big congratulations to the Newark Valley football team! Great season, great team, great character! You guys really did a super job this year. You ought to be proud of yourselves and you made the school proud. You guys did a great job! Super season, unbeaten, untied, state champions. Great job!

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A person has the months of September and October to pay their school taxes. I was not able to come up with the money then so in November after I got my Social Security check I was going to go pay my school taxes. The Tioga County Treasurer said no, you can’t pay them now. Instead the school taxes are added onto next year’s property taxes. No wonder Tioga County has so many unpaid taxes. The time period is not enough time when a lot of people are on a fixed income and only have Social Security to live on. Tioga County should really look at this issue and try to help the people out.

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During one of the debates, Donald Trump said he might challenge the outcome of the election in the event he did not win. When that happened, Hillary lashed out at him saying his answer was appalling and not the American Democratic way. Well guess what, she has now joined Jill Stein in a recount. Hillary is such a liar and a hypocrite; I still cannot belief that a large percentage of the American people didn’t see her as she really is. They are wasting their time, people’s money, and will bring a similar outcome. Trump is our 45th president, why not put their time into bringing those 200,000 jobs to New York as promised so long ago. Why can’t everyone accept the fact that she is washed up and the American people are just tired of the Clintons?

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I believe Brandon Victor Dixon was one hundred percent wrong when speaking to Vice President Elect Mike Pence at the Broadway play Hamilton. But what a class act performed by Mike Pence. Go Trump and Pence!

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Wow, I just heard on the news that the Democrats are so sorry for Ohio’s gun attack that took place. They are so out of touch with what is really happening with our country that many of them don’t realize that the attack was with a motor vehicle and a knife! 

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I can’t believe that we are going to have a devil for the President of the United States of America. Congratulations all you voters who voted for Trump. Maybe now you will see what a con man he is. Hang onto your Medicare and Social Security. People are so gullible. Prayers won’t even help. Good luck.

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Last week’s Pennysaver had a nice letter by the Town of Owego Highway Superintendent. There’s only one thing he forgot to mention, he doesn’t go out and check the roads. He’s got other people that do it at time and a half. So, I don’t know how he knows how the roads are.

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If anyone found a man’s wedding band, please respond to this column with a phone number. It was my deceased husband and I’d appreciate getting it back.

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I just want to congratulate the Newark Valley football team on winning the state championship. Way to go guys!

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When will our students and young stop being coddled when things do not go their way? Doesn’t anyone realize that this coddling does not help them in the real world? What a disappointment they’re heading for. I truly feel sad for them. They need to approach disappointment in other, more realistic ways. 

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I’m calling about whether consolidation of the village and the town should be considered. I think a lot of places are doing that and it helps the people who are out of money, especially considering that the flood victims are still trying to recover. I think that the consolidation between the two governments should be a consideration. Please try to help people, not hinder the people from moving away. A lot of people are moving away because they can’t pay these high taxes and consolidation would be an answer.

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In regards to the snowplowing issue in the Town of Owego Highway Department, there are several concerns to take into account when you call in operators. Snowplowing is a mentally exhausting job. You can’t operate a large plow 28 to 48 hours straight without having a problem. With limited manpower, equipment breakdown, repairs and a limited budget, you need to manage a prolonged storm as best you can. There will always be complaints. Let’s give the Highway Superintendent and the operators a break. It’s a tough job during a prolonged storm. 

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I’m looking for someone who does snow plowing. Call 625-2971. 

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Donald Trump has done more for the American people since Nov. 8 than Obama and Clinton did in eight years! He’s working on bringing back those 200,000 jobs that Hillary promised us years ago. Thank you Donald Trump. Thank you Mike Pence. It can only get better. Merry Christmas to all!