Readers’ Column for the week of May 19, 2019

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. 

Very frequently I hear that our Nation was founded on Christian principles. After years of Catholic School my understanding of a Christian is “A follower or disciple of Jesus; someone who believes Jesus is the Christ or Messiah. The New Testament mentions that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians within a few years after his death.”

If we are a Christian Nation, then why are we so full of HATE and GREED! I would suggest that all of you who profess to be Christian to reread the New Testament and heed the words of Jesus Christ who would be extremely disappointed by what we have become. To those of you who dismiss my thoughts and comments because I went to Catholic School – exactly my point! If you are offended by my comments then you are the Christians I am referring to.

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First, a well-trained school bus driver would have checked both left and right mirrors to ascertain all traffic had stopped before opening the bus door and discharging student. Second, I am a retired school bus driver, from several school Districts, and to the best of my knowledge New York State mandates that all school buses are equipped with seat belts. However, I think that most parents and the general public do not realize that each school district has the option of making seat belt use mandatory. Note: Most Districts choose to not make use of seat belts mandatory, and in the case of fast stops, students can be thrown from their seats and tossed about. To me this makes no sense. Seats Belts do save lives and prevent injury. All schools should require all students to be buckled in.

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Seventy percent of the Owego-Apalachin School budget is salary and benefits. Where do you think any cuts won’t be made? 

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Some info about the Owego school district budget proposal – They want a tax increase of almost 4 percent, twice the allowed limit. Included is an increase of $707,586 for health care coverage, an increase of $120,182 to develop curriculum, an increase of $379,101 in teacher pay; all these increases with no change in the number of students. All supervised by a superintendent who will receive $237,470 yearly. Oh – and a DECREASE of $194,337 for disabled student programs. The proposed Owego school budget is $24,110 per student per year. The national average for public schools is ~$12,000 per student per year. The cost of tuition AND LIVING EXPENSES (food and housing) at SUNY Binghamton is $26,100 per year. Please consider voting against the school budget on May 21.

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You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t teach ’em to fish.

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The property tax cap is 2 percent or the inflation rate and has allowable adjustments. Schools have to get a public vote of 60 percent to exceed the cap. Other boards can do it themselves. Get mad at them. Some years the cap was way under 2 percent. As for schools, there have been instances in other districts where the cap was negative. You can carry over unused cap space from the prior year. By the way, OA said the capital project would not cause taxes to rise, not that the operating budget wouldn’t cause a rise.

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Please be aware of the following when deciding who you want to supply your electricity. NYSEG will bill you regardless of who supplies your electricity, as they provide the power lines to DELIVER the power-you know, the big black wire from the utility pole to the house. You will receive a bill from them no matter who is SUPPLYING your power as their lines deliver it. You will receive two bills if your supplier is someone other than NYSEG. NYSEG is regulated so they cannot charge you a penny more than the set price per kilowatt-hour for electricity. This new company is under no such restrictions and can charge whatever they want and change the price whenever they want. If your power goes out and it is not due to downed power lines, you will need to contact the other company, if your “juice” is not supplied by NYSEG.

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The Press and Sun-Bulletin had a recent article where Binghamton has one of the highest property tax rates in the entirety of upstate. Owego is so close to Binghamton’s absurd rate it is almost negligible. There have been other articles noting that the population is rapidly declining in upstate: our area very definitely included; no, Mr. Cuomo, it is not due to the weather. The school tax in the Village of Owego is very nearly the same as the Village and Town / County taxes combined! There have been articles noting that these yearly increases are NOT necessarily benefiting our kids – a lot is going to an overblown administration. My kids went on a bunch of field trips – these and other programs for the KIDS have been cut from their actual education. Please do some research before voting – and attending some school board meetings!

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I heard Stormy Daniels performed at a bar in Binghamton this week.

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I believe all the rain we’ve been getting for the last year or two is because of all the smog in the air. The system is cleaning itself; think about it.

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Why can’t the world just send all of its weapons up to the moon? The moon, I believe is dead. 

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I believe physicians are pill pushers. I believe they get kickbacks from these drug companies.

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Marijuana will give you peace. That’s why the drug companies are fighting against it.

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Can’t you see us humans are killing ourselves off with all the pollution in the air? Look what the dinosaurs did; somehow they killed themselves off. 

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I believe we have kids running our government. Look how they’ve been acting on TV. 

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I received a Johnson City school district newsletter in my mail. It talks about a principal at the elementary, the middle and the high school. Now I ask you, are three principals necessary? I say not. NO wonder Johnson City school taxes are so high. These jobs need to be re-evaluated and I’m sure each one of these principals has an assistant. Not only that, they’ve moved the school voting place to the school on Reynolds Road. Now, not everybody can get up to the school to vote. I think that was a tactic so most people don’t get up there to vote and then that way their budget will pass. They should be ashamed of themselves. 

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I was wondering if the gentleman or the people who had the recycled port a potty up by the Iron Kettle were going to do some more this year. I was going to purchase one. If you could respond to this paper, I thought they were awesome. I just did not have the funds to get them last year and I would like to recycle one this year. Thank you so much and have a sun shiny day!

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Good morning, I see many responses to the Owego Apalachin School taxes going up. I would just like to add my two cents worth if I have any left after paying taxes. Think about it people, the school district makes two bus trips. They’re driving anywhere between 12 to 25 miles with nine high schoolers on and then they drop them off, they turn around and go back the same route with that many miles to get maybe 20 to 25 elementary children. Add those numbers together people, what these buses hold exceeds the number of students. If you really want to save taxes I suggest parents get involved. That’s an easy way to cut down on fuel cost, travel cost, and expenses for six buses. That’s a no brainer. 

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For all us taxpayers who feel like we’re going to get screwed again by the Owego Apalachin School District, we should all each and everyone of us go out and vote NO. I realize that from a mailing it won’t make a huge difference, however it will certainly send a message that we’re sick and tired of the runaway spending and unreasonable demands that they place on all of the citizens that have to pay the taxes. Let’s make the school have to operate like every other household. Vote NO!

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Why are there so many calls about politics? I’d like reading just comments and once in a while happy ones. 

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I’m wondering if anyone was able to attend the recent Town of Owego board meeting where the disposal of yard waste was discussed. I was unable to attend that and am interested in knowing what the outcome was. We live in a development in Owego, and now that the Town of Owego Highway Department is no longer picking up yard waste, we have nowhere to dispose of it. I’m wondering what the solution is. I understand that the area that they used to dump it is now closed, however if the Village of Owego has an area to dump it I’m wondering why the town can’t in some way pay the village. How are people who live in areas and neighborhoods that are not able to have a place to get rid of their yard waste, what are we supposed to do with it? I’ve called the highway department and they don’t even call back. There has to be a solution. I’m paying taxes for a reason and there’s got to be a way to dispose of yard waste, brush, grasses, etc. If anyone was able to attend that meeting and heard the outcome, I would appreciate they would call into the readers column.

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This is in regards to the Owego Apalachin Central School District budget flyer that was sent out to residents. On the front cover, the main information write up about the budget has two spelling errors. I know – can you believe it from a school district? Anyway, one was in the fourth sentence and should be the word year with an apostrophe and an s. In the sixth sentence they should have used an apostrophe and an s after the word district. Did anybody proofread this?

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OFA is proposing a $654,000 tax increase, which does not include the additional bus purchases, which add another $700,000. Plus they are adding an additional library spending of $55,000 for a total increase of nearly $1.5 million in new spending. Is the superintendent trying to sneak this through like the recent building project?

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The Owego Apalachin School District is proposing the largest tax increase in years, more than twice the average of the former superintendent. We have to make this stop. Get out and vote on May 21; let our voices be heard! 

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The website ‘See Through New York’ shows OFA administrators and their secretaries are getting raises in excess of $10,000 per year. Why is that?

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Beware of a scam that is presently calling this area claiming to be calling from Microsoft. Do not respond to them; do not give them any information. It’s a scary message but it is a scam. 

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We will be voting on the Owego Apalachin School budget on Tuesday, May 21. The Apalachin Library and the Coburn Free Library are seeking additional taxpayer funding, an additional $20,000 for Apalachin and an additional $35,000 for Owego. We should not approve these proposals. Some people do not even use the library. Please vote NO on these proposals. 

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I’d like to bring it to the Town of Newark Valley taxpayers and voters attention that on May 21 at 7 p.m. at the town office there will be a meeting on the town board wanting to take our voting rights away from us on the highway superintendent. It will be very important if you voice our opinion and attend it. 

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Wouldn’t it be nice if New York State could find a state senator who took pride in his job, was a law-abiding citizen and stayed away from scandalous activities? Freddie, do the right thing and resign from your post. The politicians from Binghamton couldn’t wait to put Fred in there. 

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I’ve become aware of a book that is circulating out there that people are reading that is advising them to say nasty things to their mothers and fathers and break their heart. Somebody wrote in or called in and said that their mother loves them, well I love my daughter too but apparently a lot of these kids don’t love their mothers.

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I’m one of the poor souls that live on Long Creek Road. I’d just like to comment about our bridge that is going to be forever to get fixed and to cost a million dollars. The only complaint I have is our assessments on our houses should be reduced until the new bridge is put in. We must have to see a reduction in our property taxes. 

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Newark Valley residents and voters: The town supervisor and four board members will like to take your right away to vote for the highway superintendent. Why do they feel they are more qualified to make that decision than the voters are when our vote was good enough to elect them into office? Attend the board meeting May 21 at 7 p.m.

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I’ve heard how Governor Cuomo wants to get rid of plastic grocery bags. How about getting rid of disposable diapers? They cause more pollution than the grocery bags. 

National Political Viewpoints

The Alabama abortion ban is just another example of the religious right using religion to restrict and limit your rights white at the same time allowing them the right to discriminate because they claim its against their religious beliefs. I cannot wait until a shopkeeper refuses to serve a Christian because it against their religious beliefs. Quid pro quo.

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Remember when you went to the circus as a kid and they had this little car that they worked at seeing how many clowns they could cram inside? Kind of reminds you of the Socialist Democrats and their candidates for nomination as President, doesn’t it?

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Borrowing from Reader’s Digest’s “Points to Ponder” – colonial Americans rebelled against Great Britain over tariffs placed on imports to the colonies and over trade restrictions that required all imports from other nations to be re-shipped through a port in Great Britain.

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What a hoot! Beginning in the early 1970’s, “scientists” predicted the end of human life on earth in 20 years if we didn’t change our ways. In the 1980’s, same deal, 20 years. In the 1990’s, more of the same, this time Al Gore steps in. Now we have Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and other nut jobs hooting and hollering the same nonsense, and we’re still here, and life goes on. See the problem here?

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I have to give President Trump credit for correcting his statement about the tariffs adding millions to the U.S. Treasury – he is right. However, his own economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, has debunked his previous line that China was paying. The importers of Chinese goods pay for the tariffs and these costs are passed along to us – the consumers. The most recent example was an $82 increase in the cost of washing machines from Chinese manufactures (joint study of University of Chicago and the Federal Reserve). The cost of dryers also increased, not because of a tariff but because they are typically sold together and they could. The study further pointed out that domestic manufacturers also increased their prices just because they could.

Bottom line is that I/we am paying for the tariffs plus the additional sales tax. If I buy domestic I/we are still paying more to the greed mongers. On top of this President Trump is now proposing a 15 billion dollar bailout for farmers and ranchers whose export markets have been hurt by this war. (This is the second; a 12 billion dollar bailout was approved last summer.) I/we will also foot this expense. Why are they more important than me/us and are entitled to relief from his imposed pain when I/we are not. Just thinking.

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This is for the person who wrote in last week that said it wasn’t important Mr. Trump told over 10,000 lies because everyone else in the administration does it. If this is your quality of standard, you have your man; and I assume the country would like to hold someone more trustworthy and accountable. Let’s get on board to make America great!

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The claim that Obama returned a Churchill bust to England is flat out false. Do some research, folks.

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I wish someone would let Mr. Trump know there are three EQUAL branches of government.

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Seventy-nine years ago today, it was 98 degrees at 10:30 p.m. Today, it sure isn’t. So much for the hoax of global warming! Period!

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What is the difference between liberals and conservatives? The liberals tend to support a much larger central government, and ‘progress’ means more government programs and spending, every one except the governing persons be equal to each other. The conservatives support a central government that is as small as can be and still do what is their true purpose such as national defense, interstate and international commerce. Welfare is best accomplished on the local level; first by individual families and friends, municipal and county government programs, with a little help from the state government. Why pay taxes to the federal government and have a small portion of it politically doled out back to the individuals along with all kinds of rules and restrictions applied. If you really try to learn what both liberals and conservatives believe in, you might just realize that you may be more of a conservative than you thought.

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President Trump makes friends with the strangest fellows. His good buddy Vladimir Putin personally tortured and killed many people while working as an agent for the brutal KGB. He has admitted to a “love affair” with Kim Jong Un, who has found it necessary to kill many people including members of his own family to retain power. He prides himself on his “big deals” with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia who just last month ordered the beheading of 41 people, including two teenage boys, for protesting his rule. It is a pity that Idi Amin and Pol Pot are dead; I’m sure Trump would have been fast friends with both of them.

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With all this nonsense President Trump is going through for no good reason, why would anyone want to run for president? 

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The Democrats just don’t get it. Now you’ve got Bernie Sanders teaming up with Ocasio-Cortez with a green new deal. 

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The Democrats speak of a crisis. They are correct as we have a severe southern border crisis, but they caused it. The Democratic Party is a frightening party. It’s very clear they work for themselves and their power, not the American people.

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Democrats stand for protecting Social Security, protecting Medicare, protecting our wages and better health insurance. The Republican’s stand for get rid of the health insurance to everybody but the rich, cutting Social Security because they don’t need it, cutting wages, and as far as Medicare they would like to see Medicare go away. This is a no brainer, what is wrong with people out there! Another thing, this paper should change its name from the Owego Pennysaver to the Republican Propaganda Preacher because it’s so pro-Republican it’s sickening.

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To the person who said name a politician who doesn’t lie. All I can say to that question is why do we accept and elect leaders of our country that lie? Do you get mad if a friend or family member lies to you? Do you get mad if a sales clerk, pastor, doctor, teacher lies to you? Then why do you say and expect politicians to lie? I think we, the American people, deserve more and should hold politicians accountable like we do other people. Expect more, not less.

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Follow the news. Trump war hawk advisor Bolton wants war with Iran. Think back to Viet Nam days when the president got his deferment. Some American lad had to take his place. Did he get killed taking the place of our current president, the draft dodger?

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What a petty issue to be concerned with regarding a sash. Who cares about the placing of a sash? President Trump has bigger issues, more important issues to be concerned with and he’s handling them just fine. Somebody I think needs to grow up and get with reality and the real issues in this country and world. Leave Mr. Trump alone, he’s doing very well.

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I agree with last week’s comment. Way too many people are beating the system and going on welfare. I’ve complained for years that too many have the Cadillac of healthcare while our dear senior citizens pay high amounts for their healthcare. Trump is correct, we need to revamp Medicaid and get people working for their benefits. Socialism is not the way to go.

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Trump is a great disrupter who has a hunger for the spotlight. Get him out before it’s too late. I’m sick and tired of his rallies and his followers who just don’t get or realize the damage Trump is doing to this country. 

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Durham Starr and Horowitz are about to drop the hammer on Brennan, Comey, Strzok, Page, and the rest of the traitors who tried to stage a coup on a duly elected President of the United States, namely Donald J. Trump. After years of fake news charges, these miscreants better lawyer up quick. Panic is about to set in and justifiably so. Go Trump!

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With all this nonsense President Trump is going through for no good reason, why would anyone want to run for president?