Readers’ Column for the week of June 9, 2019

Readers’ Column

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. 

I own a business in Owego and currently pay $48.66 per month for sewer. I have one toilet and a sink. Why should I have to pay for other residents’ usage of the same sewer system when they have three to four full baths, laundry and kitchens! Why isn’t the bill based upon how many baths and how many kitchens? I have a proposal that makes as much sense as the sewer bill and that is for every property owner to pay the same amount in property tax, whether you own a $75,000 home or a $400,000 house. This is basically what the village of Owego is doing with the sewer bill. I’m paying for other residents’ usage. How unfair!

~

I was just wondering if anyone has received in the village of Owego a Community Choice Aggregation opt out reply card. It has to do with what I am assuming with electric and they say if you do not respond by June 16 that they will automatically enroll you into this electric program. Has anyone received anything like this other than myself? 

~

It’d be really good if Nichols, N.Y. would appreciate Frankie Fulbrook, if we could get him a flag. You want to honor veterans, but Frankie doesn’t have one. 

~

Anyone out there tired of the National Weather Service interrupting our television programs? 

~

I have some cassette players that I’m not using anymore. If anyone is interested they can leave their number in this column, I live in Vestal. 

~

I would like to congratulate the personnel who did a fantastic job on the Evergreen Cemetery in Berkshire this year. They must have worked very hard because of all the rain we received this year. It was very much appreciated by us who have lost loved ones who are buried there. Thanks again! 

~

I’m calling in regards to that rude behavior mentioned on Glenmary Drive. Not only in Owego, but also here in South Apalachin, here on Harnick Road. I guess it must be all in their upbringing. Maybe they’ll all grow up some day.

~

Recently this community lost a young man in a tragic accident on the railroad tracks in Owego. On any given day in Owego there are many illegal crossings at various places in the Village by kids and adults. The railroad is private property and is a very dangerous place. The train speed limit through Owego is 55 mph, and that is not going to change. Nobody should be on the tracks. Period. Two things should happen to help prevent accidents like this in the future. First the school district should mandate that every student sit through an orientation on the railroad, covering both pedestrian and vehicle crossings. This is serious important life knowledge, like staying away from electrical wires. The school is mandated to teach about sex, but no education is offered on the dangers of the railroad. The second thing that should happen is that the Village of Owego should erect an eight-foot high chain link barrier fence along both sides of the tracks between the Front Street crossing and all the way past the McMaster Street pedestrian crossing. This would eliminate people crossing where they please and would force them to use the protected crossings and the Paige Street pedestrian underpass or the North Avenue underpass. If it saved one life it would be worth it. 

~

I have a large tree limb that came down a while back and I don’t dare cut it without somebody here, so it’s free to anyone who wants to come and cut it up at their own risk, they are welcome to come to my place and cut the limb up. You can call me at 607-221-9811. 

~

I have several pair of eyeglass that I would like to donate. Could someone write in and tell me where I could drop them off near Candor, N.Y.? 

~

I am calling in for people not obeying rules of the road. They think they own the road, they are late for work, push people over, people turning right on red and using it as a yield instead of coming to a stop, crossing over lines. Many people are doing this and they’re going to get caught. They do many bad things. If people would just wake up. Some day they are going to get hit and get killed. I’m going to get your plate number and turn you in. They should obey all the rules and it’s not just kids that are doing this, adults as well.

~

Just a reminder. Don’t forget there is a free clothing closet at the Apalachin United Methodist Church, 303 Pennsylvania Ave. in Apalachin (across the street from the fire station). We welcome anyone in need. We are open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., except for holidays.  

~

For the individual who questioned my statement last week that the temperature in earlier times was higher than today, specifically that it was 98 degrees on May 9, 1940 in Upstate N.Y. You need to take my word for it, because I experienced it personally!

~

Before we get to far away from Memorial Day, may I recommend the book, Erasing America: Losing Our Future By Destroying Our Past by James Robbins. Given who and what we honor and hold sacred regarding this past holiday, we would all benefit from the insight and wisdom expressed by the author.

~

I read with interest the June 2 “From the Mayor’s Desk”, as always. I greatly appreciate these articles from Mayor Baratta. However, I wish he, the trustees, or fellow readers, would call in and let me know how I, and the neighbors I have spoken with, totally missed the “well promoted” information session regarding MEGA. In fact, the neighbors I spoke with knew absolutely zero about the entire thing; I only heard rumors through the “grapevine” that this huge change was in the works. I read the Pennysaver and the Press and saw no notice regarding the information session or anything else regarding this important change. Admittedly, I, like many others, do not have a Facebook account, and do not have time to attend the Board meetings or check the Village website. I, along with everyone I spoke to, many of whom do have access to these sources, were blind sided by this imposed change in a major utility service. In addition, contrary to Trustee Fuller’s letter; according to my research from the most reliable source, NYSEG’s charges are capped by the PSC; they charge “current market rate”, and no higher, which accounts for the fluctuations in price; this other supplier is under no such regulation or oversight. If only one person showed up at the information session that indicates the session was perhaps not as well promoted. A change this momentous should have had the date and time of the session mailed to every customer affected; and perhaps multiple sessions should have been scheduled.

~

A couple of corrections need to be made to the proposed plans for the highway garage. First of all, there is no gym located in the building. This space will be used for food preparation and dining. The only extras are one pizza oven and a coffee bar. A soft serve ice cream machine may be added for Town Board meeting nights. A wine bar was suggested but there is too much whining already. 

~

Kudos to the town or village for installing an intelligent stoplight at the intersection of East Front Street and 5th Avenue. Traffic flow is much more efficient – when turning left we no longer wait at a red light when there is no traffic using the green light. It’s appreciated. So thank you!  

National Political Viewpoints

WWII and the USSR, yes they suffered tremendous losses but succeeded in driving the Nazis back to meet with the allies in Berlin, not Moscow; so I stand by my statement that the USSR played a major role in winning WWII. Just because the U.S. is trying rewrite history doesn’t make it true.

~

To all you dislike and impeach Donald Trumpers, members of congress, the news media, certain members of the FBI and the CIO/members of the judiciary along with Facebook,Twitter and others, you’re being challenged to learn “THE SPIRITUAL LESSON OF ACCEPTANCE” and move on instead of keeping the country in turmoil because of your shortcomings.

~

Well, for all you Trump supporters out there, I’m glad to see the Mueller report is finalized and he is not exonerated but unfortunately, law cannot charge him criminally, which is a crying shame. But of course he lies about everything anyway and he’s continuing to lie about everything. The sad part is I hope you folks get a realization that he’s not the king, he’s not a dictator, he’s not in there for life and with any good fortune he will not be reelected in 2020 and we can get somebody in there who does not bring all the corruption and nonsense to the office of the president. When he says he’s exposed more corruption than any other president, that’s right and it’s his corruption that is being exposed. So hopefully the democrats will all get together and vote this liar out because he cannot tell the truth about anything, continue to watch Fox News and will continue to give you all the bad information. Just keep buying into his rhetoric and your lives will be horrible in a few months. 

~

Pelosi says she must do what is best for the American people. Well I guess the question is when is she resigning, because she does nothing for the American people so it must be she is resigning. I can’t wait for the day.

~

You know I just don’t get it. I can’t figure this out, I’m 60 years old and I’ve lived here all my life and it makes no sense. All the democrats want to do is make American lives better. More affordable healthcare, better wages, and less taxes for the middle class. All the republicans want to do is, and this is a proven fact, increase the taxes to the middle class through tariffs, which is going on right now; or huge tax cuts to the rich at 1 percent, and that’s been going on right now; and they’re trying to get rid of Obamacare. All they want to do is do all those bad things to the people and yet you republicans keep supporting them. It makes no sense at all.

~

We the people are getting mighty fed up with the baby like crap that the democrats are trying to pull. The whole house should be impeached. They haven’t done a lick of work since they’ve been in the house. Yet taxpayers are still paying them. Get over yourselves – Clinton lost, move on. So your plans for a democratic president got screwed up. Tough, and most of your got caught with your pants down; that’s why. President Trump is doing a wonderful job and he deserves credit, not be knocked down. Keep up the good work President Trump, we love you. Concerned Republicans.  

~

Some Americans wonder what would happen if the loony left Marxist socialists win the presidency in 2020. Look no further than the big cities run by democrats. Los Angels has a skid row of about 50 blocks populated by over 4,000 vagrants. Six police officers that worked that area have been diagnosed with typhoid fever. The sanitation workers face trash feces and urine soaked streets of a failed city. That is the least you can expect from democratic mayors and governors. It may be too late to stop the future backlash from American patriots but Trump is doing his best to clean up this country. 

~

Another mass shooting this week in Virginia Beach. Remember when Trump announced at one of his rallies that he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and no one would care. Well his followers clapped, and that’s not good. Only a very unstable genius would say that and not the President of the United States of America. When I heard that I knew he’d be trouble and he has been ever since. His manner is totally disgusting; he should go back to television where he belongs. 

~

Trump really and truly needs to be in England. After all, you know he loves parades. All the problems the U.S. has right now, the mass shooting and floods that are going on and he’s in England. Trump thinks he’s a world leader. People don’t even want him there and I don’t blame them. 

~

Can anyone list what benefits an illegal immigrant receives when they come over to the United States? 

~

So Hillary tells a crowd of graduates and everybody else that Trump is not above the law. Is she kidding me? She would be the last person who should say something like that. She still needs to be investigated for her mishandling of confidential documents while working with Obama.

~

President Trump triumphed in England. He and Mrs. Trump were magnificent in both their appearances and discussions, even with the fake news media. This was a royal home run. Great news for the U.S., England, and for the world. 

~

Isn’t it interesting the information is leaking out regarding the Mueller report? That big long thing that took over two years! People who are called to testify before the Mueller investigation have been reading the report and are finding out the report does not adequately report what their part was when they were under investigation or called before the group to testify. So come to your own conclusion.

~

Do you think Hillary is watching all the D-Day celebrations? They are very moving but I bet her blood is just boiling thinking that should be her. 

~

The Libs say it’s my way or the highway. They’re not just trying to shut down Trump, they’re trying to shut down the people that voted for him.

~

First of all, I commend you for your service in Viet Nam after your student deferments ran out. Second of all, I too went to college but failed miserably and found myself enlisting in the army and being shipped to Viet Nam. Although Joe Biden did have student deferments, and was declared unfit due to asthma, it’s a lot easier to fake asthma than it is bone spurs. Bill Clinton had student deferments and the number was actually 311 in the draft. My only point is there are people on both sides that didn’t have what it takes to serve this country but somehow they speak as if they are war veterans. 

~

I am enjoying this now. The walls are starting to close in on the democrats and all the fake news and the big scandal that they have had. I can’t wait for them to bring Clinton forward and all the others. Everyone needs to be held accountable. I cannot believe our government officials ended up in such a scheme and a scandal against the American people. Well we showed them by voting for Trump.

~

If walls and guns don’t contribute to personal safety, then why do politicians like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have both?

~

It wasn’t long ago that our representatives in Albany couldn’t pass a state budget, now they are passing all kinds of junk laws: Allowing full term abortions, releasing Trump’s tax returns. Now, according to FOX News, they are going to pass a law that overrides the double jeopardy law, because they hate Trump so much, they will reconvict Paul Manafort of a crime that Trump can’t pardon. They have already moved him to Ricker’s island, IN ISOLATION! A horrible prison. They really want him to die in prison, just because he was part of the Trump campaign for a short time! Open your eyes! ROAR!

~

The economic change graphs can be found in many places. The person who commented that there was no growth under Obama needs to go find them.

~

So someone built a mile of fence on a 1,954-mile border and you think it will stop illegal immigration? Seriously?

~

For as much damage as Mr. Trump can do in a week, we need a bigger Pennysaver.

~

A person last week said there was no growth under the Obama and Biden administration. The economy was on the rise as Mr. Trump became president; Google the accuracy. Also, Mr. Trump has increased growth under his presidency – $22 trillion. Quite a challenge to leave for the next generation.

3 Comments on "Readers’ Column for the week of June 9, 2019"

  1. Doug Williams | June 14, 2019 at 4:05 pm | Reply

    We need more religious type concerts, acts and speakers for the Strawberry Fest. The rock and roll and rap acts they have planned will keep a lot of people away. Let’s take our community back.

  2. Maybe we should put up a border wall here around Tioga county to keep the illegals out who already got across the southern border.

  3. Hooray for the Town of Owego board and supervisor. I like that they are cutting out the unnecessary services.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*