Readers’ Column for the week of Oct. 14, 2018

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. 

It’s Thursday night at 6:23 p.m., and we again have a train that is blocking both railroad crossings on East Main Street and East Front Street. Why is it? Granted there is a train going by on the other track but can’t they figure out how to stop a train without blocking us and making it difficult for emergency vehicles to get to our side of town? Let’s do something about this.

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Apparently this isn’t privileged information so it’s out there for anyone to ask, but did someone from Waverly, New York ever really win Publishers Clearing House? We have gotten this garbage for so long and for so many years and it still keeps coming and we still keep throwing it away. I’m just wondering if anybody ever wins it. 

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While I do agree with the person who said the McMaster Street railroad crossing should be open for traffic, I strongly disagree it should be part of the truck route. McMaster Street is a residential area and not wide enough for trucks. It is hard enough to get a car through there with cars parked on both sides of the road and traffic moving in both directions. That street is not made for big trucks.

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Will someone please explain to me what we honor Columbus for? All he was, was a guy who took a cruise. 

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Early this summer they did pave Old Owego Road in Apalachin but they went by Stevens Road, which is very bad – especially at the bottom. I wonder if they have any plans on repaving that, if not patching several of those before they start tearing up snowplows. I do know several cars and school buses have gotten torn up there when forced to go over it. I think it needs some attention from the town. 

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I agree with the caller that the arena in Binghamton should have more concerts. It seems like all it is used for nowadays is ice hockey. Such a waste!

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If you have Facebook, look at the pictures of the Saint Bonaventure boys. They took their four-day weekend to go down to the Carolinas to help clean up their houses. They tore down two houses, they helped the veterans fix their homes, and they sure did a great job. Maybe they taught us a lesson. Help one another instead of complaining all the time. We are sending the college a thank you note.

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What sad information! No wonder TEAM TIOGA was reluctant to announce the appointed members of “THE VILLAGE OF OWEGO TEN MILLION DOLLAR COMMITTEE.” It’s obvious that this COUNTY government office has limited knowledge of or possibly respect for the talents of the Village resident and longtime business stakeholders. Obviously, a strong educational interest is important to OUR VILLAGE but the OFA District has its own boundaries, agenda and millions of dollars budget. Our VILLAGE has many exceptional and independent educators who could have and would have worked to represent US without OFA conflicts of interest. It’s also sad to see only two Owego Historic Marketplace members appointed to the committee. The OHM represents business in THE VILLAGE. The Chamber of Commerce is a COUNTY organization working throughout the 12 townships. Obviously, the County Legislature is COUNTY GOVERNMENT. Its broad interests are not and should not be focused only on one village. As the county seat, the VILLAGE is burdened with many tax-exempt organizations, buildings and service providers at VILLAGE taxpayer expense. There are many VILLAGE residents with exceptional leadership qualities and experience who would not have to wear two hats while on the committee. It is disappointing that TEAM TIOGA does not look closely at the VILLAGE RESIDENTS to serve. It seems clear that TEAM TIOGA has taken the easy path of appointing only those who will agree to their pre-determined PLAN! (Lots more unwanted housing programs that will only raise taxes.) Public meetings are planned to make us FEEL GOOD. Then, get ready for the onslaught of design and planning studies by outside consultants. The final plan is to be approved by Albany in support of a political agenda. There is no such thing as a free lunch and the long-time residents and businesses of OUR VILLAGE understand that we aren’t even going to get a look at the menu! 

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Attention Participants of the Lions Chinese Auction on Oct. 6. Volume 1 of Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge was accidentally packed into a box of books that I won. If you won the 20 Volume set and are missing Volume 1 or you mistakenly donated Volume 1 of your set, call me at (607) 699-3726. Leave a message and I will gladly get it to you. 

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I’ve been in the Town of Owego for longer than these guys who are running it. Back in the days we had two graders and they were on the road. I think we still have two, I don’t know but I’ve been on some of the dirt roads and I’d be disgraced to say that I was even in charge of it. Another thing, they have a problem with people answering the radio and stuff. Back in the day they had two working foremen, now they have a foreman that rides. Oh well, that’s life I guess.

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I wanted to say I agree with the person who had a positive experience with the museum, the cemetery walk as well as the military exhibit. Really good stuff! Can hardly wait for Christmas time when they do the silent auction and the quilting exhibit that’s always so beautiful as the New Year starts. Again, wonderful job!

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Going into Marvin Park, could somebody please fix the beautiful stone pillars that are there. They are falling apart. Every year, for four years, it has been like that and they are really deteriorating. I live in Waverly but go back and forth to Owego because that’s my home. I was devastated today when I went into the ladies bathroom to find that somebody went in there and had torn it all apart. I cannot believe that people are so disrespectful. Please have respect for other people’s property. What is wrong with people! 

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I just want to thank whoever was paying attention to the yellow line on Glenmary Drive. It’s beautiful.

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In regards to the $10 million as someone else had said, let’s remove the blighted homes and instead have several small car parks, certainly they don’t need a multi-story one. In many tourist towns, here and abroad, that’s what they do and then they put parking signs. People don’t mind walking as long as we make sure there is plenty of handicap parking close to town. Also, wouldn’t it be nice to keep the entertainment money in Owego? Let’s be real brave and let’s put some real money into the theatre, turn it into a beautiful boutique theatre. Terry Coleman has done so much, but with this money we can turn it into something great. 

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If marijuana is legalized in New York State, what is the difference between driving under the influence of alcohol or driving under the influence of marijuana? How do they plan to control this?

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I want to thank the lady who stopped her truck in the Village of Owego when she saw my dog chasing her. She accidentally got loose. I am so thankful you saw her, and you heard me! And that you stopped! I just can’t thank you enough! I hope you are reading this column to know how grateful I am to you.

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Someone has removed two Tracy Mitrano lawn signs from Newark Valley. One sign was stolen from the village green and the other was taken from the end of Route 38B and Route 38. How shameful and disrespectful! Is this how the Republicans think they can win elections?

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What a FANTASTIC idea regarding replacing the concrete on North Avenue. I have seen this done in other communities and it is a huge improvement, both as far as safety and appearance.

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A recent headline read, “Therapy dogs can spread superbug.” I think it is time for grocery stores and the health department to go back to having a modicum of common sense and not allow animals in the store. While you may have sympathy for those who cannot comfortably survive their day without a therapy animal on hand every minute, the 99 percent of us that are fortunate enough to not find this necessary should be able to purchase raw fruits, vegetables and packages of meat that have not be exposed to hands that have been in contact with the parts of an animal associated with elimination, saliva, or other parts which may carry superbug bacteria touching merchandise. Even though I wash raw produce, I don’t relish the thought of my kids being exposed to these bacteria when common sense dictates it can and should be avoided. For those who cannot shop a few minutes without animal support, there are an increasing number of grocery stores that will deliver if there is not a neighbor or relative who is able to help you out. I’m sure you would be distressed to know that you were the cause of a small child, or anyone, becoming seriously ill.

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I see that the digital sign in front of the Owego Apalachin bus garage is not working. What a shame, the music boosters spent a lot of money on that sign and to see it not working is a waste of money. 

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If you want better public transportation you’ll need to come up with enough users to make it viable. The county shut it down because there were too few users, placing too much of the burden on the county budget.  

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The State is responsible for the underpass, not the village.

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I called in some information last week and I need to correct something concerning Newark Valley village taxes. I stated that over a 13-year period solid waste and garbage went up 200 percent; it should have been water and solid waste. The mayor says he loves feedback. Come to board meetings on the second Tuesday of the month and get involved, be concerned, voice your opinion! And remember, it’s our village! 

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Is there some place local to Owego that recycles hearing aids and glasses? 

National Political Viewpoints

Trump says the press is the enemy of the people. I disagree 100 percent, the politicians are the enemy of the people. Where were they during the AT oil spills? Where were they when they were poisoning the water in Michigan? How about the Vietnam trumped up war with Chaney and Bush? The Iraq War? How about the hurricane in Puerto Rico? How about Katrina? How about having a government? We really don’t have one.

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I looked up the definition of a Republican and first of all it said it must be a pathetic liar, must say the nastiest stuff and must be suspected of being a sexual predator. That’s what it says a Republican is in the dictionary and they ought to be ashamed of themselves. 

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Senator Fred Akshar thinks there’s only one problem in Broome and Tioga County and that is drug abuse. Well how about throwing money to help the senior citizens in Broome and Tioga County. I don’t want my tax dollars going to drug addicts. The money can be spent many other ways.

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Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh – live it, like it or lump it. And prepare for a red wave and blue grave at the November elections. The vile Democratic lies, smears, threats, rage and collusion are now known first hand to a Supreme Court Judge. What comes around goes around. 

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You Liberal Democrats dug your own graves and now you can lie in them. Rest in peace.

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Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton, more Democrat gods. Keep idolizing those sorts of people. 

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This business with Kavanaugh and that Ford woman makes me think of what happened in the early 1950’s with the McCarthy situation, where people were being accused of being communists when in fact there was no basis for those accusations whatsoever. Lives were ruined because of those accusations. I thought about it today and compared it with what is going on with all this business with Kavanaugh.

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Last week’s response to the phony doctor facts / non-facts were spot on. Obama was a total economic failure in his quest to redistribute wealth to non-workers and to destroy the energy industry in the U.S. Even so, his stooges in the Federal Reserve Bank, who gave him near zero interest rates to stimulate the economy, aided Obama. Just look at what the so-called bankers are doing in raising the prime rate to cool off the roaring Trump inspired economy. President Trump has created more full time real jobs in two years than Obama did in eight years. However, I bet doctor facts love his free Obama phone. 

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Cuomo likes Puerto Rico so much let’s give him what he wants, a one-way ticket. In November, vote him out. He’s got the concerns of Puerto Rico over the concerns of New Yorkers. Give him what he wants, a one way ticket to Puerto Rico and we’ll all be the better for it.

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I would just like to comment and I really hope you print this. What’s happening to our country? I would like to get some feedback. You’ve got Democrats out there threatening people, you’ve got Democrats paying protesters out there to threaten, the language they use and to watch the congressmen in the Capitol being pushed in the hall, especially a senior citizen, and spitting on people and holding up signs with filthy dirty language. I would like to get some feedback from Republicans on this. You never hear a Republican out there tweeting out filthy dirty language or threatening people’s lives. The only way for Republicans to fight back is to get out there on Nov. 6 and vote Republican. I mean those Democrats; I’ve never seen our country in such a nasty state. They get out there and do that stuff and then they blame Republicans. 

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This message is to our little boys and our little girls in congress. Time is getting near, pull up your little panties, diapers, etc., and quit the bickering and the fighting and try to do the job you were put in to do. This whole country is getting to be really, really ridiculous and it is a shame for people to say we are proud Americans with the way you guys are acting. 

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A red alert just crossed the cable, Walmart is getting ready for the election in November by stocking up on extra large diapers for all the little boys and girls in our congress. Stock up and pull up your pampers and panties, quit acting like immature brats and do the job you are paid to do. You are both making each other look like morons and big fools. How the hell can you look at yourselves in the mirror? This is such a disgrace it’s pathetic!

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Want to know more about Christine Blasi Ford’s accusations against Judge Kavanaugh? Want to know why 90 percent of her Internet references were scrubbed by Google and Facebook, etc.? Guess what, they failed to erase one vital reference, in 2008 Dr. Ford authored and article in the Journal of Psycho Medicine, which stated how hypnosis can be used to improve and create artificial situations. This explains a lot. 

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So interesting about Maxine Waters, they are calling for an audit involving her. 

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It seems the Democrat party has a new motto; if we can’t fool you we will ruin you.

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This is one for the books you guys. I have a brother in law that was in the Korean War, and because he had malaria and was shot three times and earned three purple hearts, his $289 military pension service money is reduced to $245. Now I ask you, check it out and see and say God Bless America you dirty rotten scumbags in Washington. Think about it.

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Our brilliant president, well I should say yours, is such a great businessman I’ve been told with his parents and everything. Now Ford Motor Company is going to be laying off thousands of people. It’s just the beginning people. Save your money, hard times are coming, I guarantee that.

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Let’s face it; there are a lot of sick repulsive people out there. A few of them sit on the Supreme Court and at least one of them is in the president’s chair. God help us.

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I’ll give you odds the Democrats blame Trump for Hurricane Michael. They’re clutching at straws. Vote straight Republican and let’s get back on track.

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Eric Holder, Hillary, Maxine Waters and Barack Hussein Obama are all advising incivility toward Republicans. Need I remind them, and others, we endured eight way too long years of having things important to us taken away, yet, to my knowledge there was no advice to anyone, anywhere at any time to resort to violence to those who were the perpetrators. Why the difference?

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I need political advice. I am torn between parties. I am a firm believer in civic virtue, justice, and the common good of the people. Lately it seems that my party, the Democrats, are struggling to show virtuosity. If anyone is interested in helping me decide which party to support, I’d like to pose this question: What party promotes the most civic virtue, and why? Please don’t degrade other parties in your response, just say why your party displays the most civic virtue. For background, I’ve been a lifelong Democrat and am considering switching to the Republicans, but I’d really like input from both sides. Thank you!”

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Got Social Security Retirement benefits? Thank a Democrat. Got Medicare benefits? Thank a Democrat. Let’s give Democrats a practical expression of our gratitude for giving Americans dignity in their old age: VOTE a straight DEMOCRATIC ticket on Nov. 6!

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Regarding Dr. Ford – well before I turned 15, my mother sat me down and educated me on how to avoid potential nasty situations. She also said if something occurred, the first thing to do was to go to an emergency room/school nurse, etc., to have myself checked and to document injuries. If medical personnel didn’t find a reason to contact police, I was to do so. I was then urged to tell her what happened, and she would not pass judgment on me if I had made a poor choice – it was made clear what the definition of that was. When I was a young girl I was to state where I was going, whom I would be with and when I was going to be home, that time was agreed upon and there was big trouble if that was not adhered to. Part of that was dishonoring my parents and their concern for my safety. This was in the early 70’s. While I believe something happened to Dr. Ford, I found her testimony poorly executed for someone who had been through the grueling, exacting and extremely stressful dissertation process necessary to become a professor; but it is hard for most people to remember details 36 hours after an event, let alone 36 years. Ask any police detective questioning witnesses to a crime. In conclusion the lesson learned here should be report assaults and attacks IMMEDIATELY, and have them on record.

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I hope the more mature voter will like getting lower Social Security payments starting later in life and a reduction in his Medicare coverage.

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Now we have Chuck Schumer pushing the legalization of marijuana in New York State. Before you vote for this debacle in any way, if you have access to anyone in Colorado, you might ask them how they feel about it. Since Colorado legalized “weed” there has been a marked increase in traffic accidents and deaths, increase in crime, an increase in domestic violence, and school absenteeism. Makes sense to me. Doesn’t seem like we need more of any of this.

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President Trump called NAFTA the worst trade deal ever. He turned it into the best trade deal ever by simply changing its name. There is not one significant difference between the two agreements. So much for the great deal maker’s abilities.

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How sad we have become a divided country. Whose fault is that?

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Anyone voting for a democrat is voting against our country’s constitution, and successful founding.

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In last week’s column someone wrote in and said Dr. Christy Ford was obviously a disturbed individual. You would be too if you were attacked. Think about it.