Readers’ Column for the week of September 29, 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. 

People who cheer about these battery-powered cars as being green don’t see the entire picture. These batteries don’t retain their charge forever and this necessary periodic recharging comes from the local power companies, and that’s not for free. When these batteries need replacing, how much will that cost or won’t they do it? 

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Clean up the underpass. Please do something about the mess coming into Owego. At the underpass there are crumbled dirty unusable cement steps and very overgrown weeds and trees coming over the rail. It has been this way for years, so please clean up the mess. It’s a very poor example of our lovely village. Make us proud and welcoming to those coming into Owego.

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Is there anyone around who can repair electronic toys with a remote control? I have this toy call Big Foot and the voice box no longer works and I have another one that doesn’t have a battery. I was wondering if someone could take either the voice chip or the voice box out of the one that’s nonfunctioning with no battery and put that into the device that does. Please call me at 687-5854.

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This is a shout out to the tax assessor for Tioga Center School Systems. Thank you so much for penalizing us senior citizens for the high assessments that you have made on our properties. Shame on you! Hopefully, when you reach our age somebody is kind enough not to do this to you. Have a good day.

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Is this a scam? I was visiting an neighbor who is up their in age but she’s still with it, someone called last week and called again this week wanting to know if they can send her a cancer kit and Medicare or Medicaid would pay for it. They wanted her social security number, I intervened and told them we didn’t give out social security numbers over the phone to anyone and please do not call again. Just wondering if this could be a scam. 

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After watching the village of Owego trustees meeting, which I appreciate, I learned there’s a new handicap ramp at the police station and it’s beautiful. It seems like they did a great job for $33,000. The thing that puzzles me is the fact there’s absolutely no signage to the handicap ramp nor is their handicap parking in the rear of that building, nor out front. Great job on the ramp, where do the handicap people park?

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I read with interest last week the entry about the Newark Valley Highway Superintendent, whether it should be an elected position or appointed by the board. Several years ago village residents in Newark Valley became aware that our snowplowing was to be done by the Town of Newark Valley. However, we were also informed that the highway superintendent for the town of Newark Valley refused to snowplow in the village so village workers snowplow the roads in the village of Newark Valley. In fact, residents in the village of Newark Valley are being taxed twice for the same service. It would not be necessary to have two taxes on the village of Newark Valley residents if the town of Newark Valley did as they are supposed to do and snowplow the village roads. I think that the town of Newark Valley board is attempting to exert some control of the position so legal requirements are adhered to. If that is the situation as was described a couple years ago, then it would make sense for this to be reviewed. 

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I have a very big complaint to you people who can order prescriptions and make doctor appointments by computer, please use them. I have no computer or iPhone, I need to use the phone for everything, so please have the courtesy to leave the phone lines open for people who need them. I’m on hold forever to get through. A lot of seniors don’t have computers.

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I don’t believe there is a speed limit sign from West Beecher to Glenmary on Thorn Hollow Road. I think that has been like this for a long time, and that’s why people don’t know what the speed limit is when coming from that direction. They are constantly speeding down the street. I wish someone would look into it and get it fixed.

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My Friends, I would like to respond to a few of the comments that have been made in this column about who will actually be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus tells us quite clearly in John 14:6  “… I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME.” 

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When is Charlie Schumer going to stop these annoying robo calls and leave the Owego Post Office its name as the Owego Post Office? Stop robo calls!

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Veterans and Family support chairperson, Dorolyn Perry, is asking of names of troops deployed overseas. The VFW is sending packages to the troops who will be deployed through Christmas. Too add a name please call Dorolyn at 760-4764. Donations for postage would also be appreciated. Please make your check payable to VFW Auxiliary 1371 and mail to VFW Auxiliary 1371, c/o Linda Barrett, 207 Main St., Owego, N.Y. 13827. 

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I am looking for Black Locust logs, preferably less than 8-inches in diameter. Call 687-1249.

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It’s called reading. It’s how you install new software into your brain.

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“Scientists blame much of the epidemic of flooding on the Corps’ own engineering. In order to protect farms and cities, they built humps of earth along the Mississippi’s banks – levees, which narrowed the river, forcing it to rise. Meanwhile, countless acres of urban pavement have replaced absorbent soil. Pair these changes with the wettest 12 months in recorded history, and the Mississippi River becomes a menace.” “Treading Water” by Bruce Upholt. Time magazine. Sept. 2, 2019

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Is it true that our school taxes were raised more than was voted for to make up for the cost of the stadium that we didn’t really have the money for. It’s amazing what gets pushed thru this town by using the sports programs and unions as scapegoats when anybody with common sense knows where the problem really is.

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I took a ride out Wilson Creek Road to see the offensive sign. Although, there is one word that may be offensive; but if that sign bothers you I don’t know how you can watch TV, listen to the radio (especially RAP), shop, or even go out of your house. On a better note, I noticed a house where an Amish family is selling beautiful home baked goods. Also, if you drive on Route 38 from Newark Valley to Berkshire you will see a number of Amish families selling the most beautiful tasty produce. And the produce is not covered in wax, or pesticides, or chemicals. It’s worth the extra drive.

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I just received a letter from the Village of Owego, telling me that if I do not want to participate in the Village of Owego Community Choice Aggregation program, that I need to send a form back to opt out. Why in the world would I want the Village of Owego to choose my electricity provider? Seriously? Owego, where we have the highest school taxes in the southern tier, the highest and most unfair sewer charges, and lets not forget the water bill. This village spends money like drunken sailors. I would never ever encourage anybody to trust this village for cheaper electricity. They don’t know how to manage the money they take in. Where do I sign? This is going back by airmail!  

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There is no absolute 2 percent tax cap. The Pennysaver had an article on the subject before the second O-A school budget vote. The O-A school budget mailing had a description of the calculation. The Press and Sun Bulletin had an article with the limits by school district. The information is published every year. O-A was under the limit for the second vote.

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There are no background checks on private sales. That’s how the Odessa shooter got his gun after failing a background check at a store.

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Thank you, fellow readers. I too have noticed sneaky bill elevations and have (like yourselves) questioned SUEZ. I am a one-person household, so when I have been paying roughly $26 for the last handful of years, and it suddenly decreased to $18, of course I asked all the questions. I ended up leaving with more questions and suspicions. Waiting for this recent past bill to arrive was even more interesting to find it had exceeded my norm of $26. Waiting on this next one to arrive. It looks like SUEZ has a lot of explaining to do! I want answers and I sincerely hope we can all make it happen!

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To the Newark Valley school board, thank you for staying under the tax cap. The check and amount was a very pleasant surprise.

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Is the high grass at the solar farm in Spencer a Fire Hazard? It appears there is no maintenance. A grass fire could burn the whole hill.

National Political Viewpoints

A Harvard / Harris Poll recently asked without designation of names of Candidates, only on policy, “Which candidate are you more likely to vote for” – A presidential candidate who stands for the green new deal on climate change; Medicare for all, free college tuition, opening our borders to many more immigrants and raising taxes to pay for these programs; or a presidential candidate who stands for lower taxes and reduced government regulation, strengthening our military, strengthening our border to reduce illegal immigrants, standing up more to China and Iran and seeking better trade deals for the U.S. Two definitive and different descriptions of American Policy for government, yet telling as one question describes what President Donald Trump ran on and is doing and the other question, an American policy set forth by anyone of the leading Democratic candidates. The result of the Poll: 61 percent say they’d vote for a policy agenda of our current President Trump. How will the winning Democratic nominee overcome this huge gap on their professed policy vision? Lie about Trump’s agenda? Deceive voters about theirs? Or some combination of the two? 

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I see where Catholic Charities is one of the more than 400 nonprofits spending lots of money helping illegal immigrants get to the United States. Catholic Charities is supposed to help people already in the United States, not illegal immigrants. Families already here could use the help from Catholic Charities, but the illegals are more important.

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Who wants dirty air? Lots of people, that’s who. Keep voting for Trump everybody. You know the rest of the story. You all should know better. Make sure you vote for Trump in 2020, we want bad air.

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The dimwit democrats like Himes in Connecticut say the U.S. provoked Iran into attacking the Saudi oil fields. Look at our gas prices now. What a bunch of anti-Trump traitors! On the other hand, let the Saudi’s retaliate against Iran with full U.S. Support.

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Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was paid $2.2 million per year to do natural gas contract manipulation for a Ukrainian company. When the Ukrainian government sent prosecutors to investigate, Joe Biden threatened to withhold U.S. government funding of $1 billion to the Ukrainian government, which then stopped the investigation. When will the lame stream U.S. Media publish those facts? Even worse, are Hunter Biden’s ties to the Chinese government. I guess it really pays to be Joe’s son. Now the Ukrainian government has information on Hillary’s collusion against Trump in the last elections. So far a big media cover up.

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So-called climate genius Al Gore predicts ice-free Arctic by 2013.

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I believe Trump will be a poster child for being the worst president in history. On Sunday, Fox news stated that Trump has over 9,000 investigations on him going on right now. That doesn’t sound too good.

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I can’t believe there is still a discussion about impeaching Donald Trump. The more he gets away with the bolder he becomes. What are we waiting for, another 9/11 disaster? The man needs to be put out of office. He’s destroying this United States.

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You can bet our enemies love Donald Trump and you can bet we are going to see another catastrophe before he is out of office. 

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Do you still believe in global warming? Horse feathers! Winter is coming and I’ll be it will be right on time.

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I disagree with the comment from last week. There is no deception and/or disrespect of human beings. There’s no reason a president should not tout religious freedom. With religion back, humanity follows. They go hand in hand. I hope you get that and understand it. As far as patriotism, President Trump displays it every day. He continues to fight for our great country, which has been ruined by the previous administration. People need to stop watching fake news. Fake news programs need to be replaced with other comedy shows. If you want to talk deception, let’s about talk Joe Biden and his son. That one is coming to light now, very interesting deception there.

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After reading a lot of comments in this column, I notice it’s all plus Trump. Good job Trump. I’d like to know what you republicans are so proud of. It could not possibly the clown we have for a president. 

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Here we go again, another impeachment attempt by the democrats. So while they waste their time looking for something that does not exist, the important issues to the American people are not being addressed. They’re not looking at the immigration issues, they’re not looking at healthcare, they’re not looking at lowering our drug prices, no, they’re looking for something that does not exist. Best thing that can happen is that they all get thrown out office next round of elections and we put republicans in there that will do something for the American people. They do care about the American people and it’s very obvious with the Trump administration. Trump and his administration 2020, go republicans!

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What does it take for people to realize that Donald Trump is in Vladimir Putin’s pocket? You have to think about how dangerous that is. 

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Someone has to read the job description to the democrats. They all need to hear it because they obviously do not know what their job is to the American people. Someone also has to throw a dictionary in front of them and have them look up the word “impeach” and “sanctuary city,” because they do not know the meaning of those either. To impeach doesn’t mean it should be done when somebody picks up a telephone, when they walk across a room, when they get into a car. It needs to be something serious, something criminal, and boy they’ll keep looking but they’re never going to find anything on President Trump. So again, would somebody please give them a dictionary and open it up to the word “impeach” and let read and make sure they understand it and go over it with them.

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I wonder what you republican voters think of Trump now. I’m sure you’re still behind him no matter what he does. He’s an idiot and it looks like he is going to be impeached. Go Trump; go to jail.

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I’d like an answer to a question I have. Why is it that gas stations can charge you a six cent a gallon penalty when you use a credit card or a debit card? No other business that I know of charges you a penalty for using a credit card or a debit card. Anybody know why these gas stations can do it and get away with it?

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What’s wrong with this picture? In California, they get upset about the snail darter (minnow) and remove what could be productive land for agriculture because this fish might be endangered; but they allow feces, urine, needles and other filth to be washed into the drain system and go directly into the river, then the ocean? Sounds like a Loony Socialist Democrat deal to me.

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To be clear, it is still 100 percent illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election, including dirt on political opponents. See 11 CFR 110.20.

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You have to laugh. A day off from school for kids in New York City so they can participate in climate change protests when 84 percent of them can’t read or write on grade level tests. Take a look at pictures of pollution in China and India. The sky is gray! Take your protests there. I’d like to see the results in China of such a protest. Can you say prison?

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When it appears that Sleepy Joe Biden is about to get into hot water for the corruption involving his son, Hunter, suddenly a new scandal “emerges” aimed at President Trump. So much of this nonsense is nothing but an attempted distraction designed to keep the spotlight off of Hillary, Biden, and assorted other characters that absolutely NEED the spotlight aimed at them.

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Representative House Leader Pelosi goes on public record with a statement for the Judicial Committee Chair to go forward with an Impeachment Investigation. But that’s all it is, a public statement. Until it’s put on the Congressional Floor for a vote, it is no more than hot air blowing in both directions. Chairs can chair till the cow comes home while Pelosi is buying time and giving space for the more conservative candidates to get through the coming primary season and on the their prospective ballots for the general election a year from now. It would still then have to go to the Republican controlled Senate to litigate or abrogate. Don’t expect to see, hear or have a different outcome in the coming 12 months than the previous 24 [12 months of Russia, 12 months of Muller] investigations ending in the 2020 election time line. Which goes to show why there will NOT be a house vote for or against impeachment until next summer at the earliest. So the next General Election will be on two questions to all voters; Impeach vs. Not Impeach and A Constitutional Republic vs. Progressive Socialist Government. The first will be answered by the current sitting House of Representatives and Senate and based on the election outcome; the second to be addressed by the newly and/or re-elected in all three houses and secured by the appointments to the Judicial. 

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If you ask a foreign country to help with your election, you owe them, which means you will have to act in their interest at some point, not America’s. Trump betrayed America. Impeach Trump.

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The transcript of the call reads like a classic mob shakedown: We do a lot for Ukraine; there’s not much reciprocity; I have a favor to ask; investigate my opponent; and my people will be in touch. Nice country you got there. It would be a shame if something happened to her.

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“Want clean air? Don’t plant a tree, plant a Republican.”

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Hear we go again! Another waste of time and our money on a witch-hunt on President Trump. Well, since the democrats are going this far, I hope they check into Biden and his son Hunter who are the real crooks in the Ukraine deal. It seems to me that maybe that’s what they wanted to do, to knock Biden out of the run for president. Also looks like Nancy Pelosi has caved into AOC. Nadler and his waste of time with all these investigations and wasting “We the People’s” hard earned money should be ashamed of himself. Think of what else President Trump could accomplish if only the democrats would get over the fact that President Trump won, fair and square, and they need to move on and earn the money we pay them and work with the President. God bless our men and women who have lost their lives and the ones who are still serving and protecting us to give us this right to voice our opinions. Wake up Dems and help keep America Great; and work with President Trump!

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Maybe the half a brain commenter would vote Democrat if they had a whole brain.

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Be advised the United States is in dangerous waters with Mr. Trump as president. He has blocked all requests from congress, the republicans stand behind him, there is no oversight. He has even requested help from the Ukraine and probably Russia, too. Checks and balances are out the window. He is so desperate to be re elected again; not because I believe he wants to be president, but, while in office will keep him from criminal findings. Before the 2020 election Mr. Trump will become much more dangerous. He places himself above country and will do whatever necessary to stay in office.

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Republicans and the President are facing a real conundrum; negotiate a trade pact with the Chinese and lose the income from the tariffs or prolong the dispute and risk losing Chinese markets for good. The tariffs, in reality simply sales taxes paid by consumers, are the only thing preventing the record-setting federal deficit from ballooning even more.

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There always has to be some threat so huge that only government can save us, hence, climate change. Get people to buy into the hoax and voila, the government is needed and of course only the Socialist Democrats have the answers. Yeah, right. And I’m Santa Claus in disguise.