Readers’ Column for the week of October 27, 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. Because of the election coming up in November, we are withholding political comments until after the election.

To the person that wants the Town of Newark Valley to plow their street; town trucks are too big and wide; with that said, all the snow will be on one side. How well will that go over with a three to four foot pile in your driveway? Also, the water shut offs stick up above the streets, which will damage the plows and the water lines that were put in and are not flush with the streets. The plows will dig in and cause more damage to the town plows. If you remember, this is for the senior citizens; the town did plow some of the streets and a lot of sidewalks were tore up in reference to Rock Street, then it was decided by the village to not let the town plow the streets. It was a battle between the town and the village as to who pays for it. 

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I’m interested in the free Oriental rug. Call 429-8687.

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I’m calling about the Chick-fil-A hullabaloo; I don’t know why everyone would be so excited about a Chick-fil-A coming to Broome County. The Chick-fil-A image with a sandwich, a bag of waffle fries and a coke is 1,270, calories, 52 grams of fat and 80 grams of sugar. We need that like we need a hole in the head. 

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Does anybody know why so many cars are catching on fire anymore? I wonder if it’s from cell phone. Anybody who knows, I’d love to find out.

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Maybe it’s time the state did an audit of the books at the Owego School District. Maybe they can explain how we are saving all this money with the buildings and stadium they paid for, yet somehow school taxes are a record high for the state. At least then we will understand what is driving people out of this area and state

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I do have to say, just out of curiosity, for the past couple of weeks I’ve set down with the Pennysaver with a red magic marker and a blue magic marker, and of course I highlighted the Republican comments with red and the Democratic comments with blue. I’ve got to say; I do think the Pennysaver is unbiased. I think they are trying to be fair to both sides, so kudos to the Pennysaver! 

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I just got my call from the Social Security office that told me I had to give them information about my Social Security or it may be dropped. Come on you people, watch those phone calls! I told him if my Social Security was to be discussed, the Social Security office would write me a note. I hope and pray to God I was right. Thanks for putting up with me. 

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I have a ladybug invasion all over my porch. I don’t mind them on my porch but they’re coming into my house. How do I get rid of them? 

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I whole-heartedly agree with last week’s leaf blower comment. All leaf blowers do is create dust and make noise. Ban leaf blowers!

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The Yankees are a bunch of crybabies, especially Aaron Judge. Boohoo, boohoo, go home Yankees.

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To the person calling in about wanting to know how to get rid of robo calls off your phone. All you have to do is call your phone company and they will assist you. If you have Spectrum, it’s very easy to do. Just call anybody that’s got your cell phone or whoever and they will all assist you on blocking robo calls.

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Whenever I get a phone call or make a call they say press one if you wish to speak in English. I’m in the U.S.A. for God sakes; those who don’t speak English should be pressing a button, not me! I’m tired of it!

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Does anybody pay any attention at all to the ridiculous statistics the baseball game announcers give out during a game? I call it dribble. 

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Would someone associated with Happy Tails leave a response in the column? Are you still collecting books and where can they be dropped off? Please leave information and a contact number.

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To the person who mailed my driver’s license to me; I appreciate it very much! Thank you. Again, whoever you are, thank you!

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We wish to compliment the great job being done recently mowing the roadsides in the Lisle Road and Gaskill Road area. It makes the road much safer and more attractive.

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Rather that sports facilities attention should go to OACSD’s multi-million dollar annual waste due to the excessive and highest cost compensation for teachers and staff in the Southern Tier (67 Districts). The recent OACSD Newsletter heaped praise on the Teachers by identifying them as ranked 30th of Best Teachers in Upstate. This rating was by Niche.com, an advertiser for realtors and mortgage lenders. Two of the 10 factors used were based on OACSD’s excessive salaries, pensions, and benefits. Yes, per OACSD and Niche the more you pay teachers the better they are! NYS Ed data shows the opposite for OACSD. We deserve identification of problems, plans and actions addressing such, and progress rather than hoopla. Schooldigger.com is similar to Niche.com. Without the spin and with the same data Schooldigger tells parents to go to Vestal, as local realtors do. One year when Cuomo’s teacher appraisals were in effect OACSD came in at the bottom. Such didn’t merit note in the Newsletter. 

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The voters must approve capital improvements such as the stadium. It would be illegal to pay for them out of the general budget. Illegal. As in not legal. The stadium is NOT being paid for with general budget funds. It is being paid for by FEMA flood recovery funds. You may believe otherwise but that doesn’t make your belief true.

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Just because the Vestal supervisor said they were hoping to get a Chick-fil-A does NOT mean that the company was committed to build one or was even considering it.

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The Owego-Apalachin Kool-Aid drinkers comment about taxes. Out of Tioga, Broome, Chemung and Tompkins County, guess what school district has the highest paid employee salaries? OFA. Remember this when it’s time for the budget vote.

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When is Tioga County going to get more recycling bins? Mine is so trashed from being thrown on to the driveway that I’m trying to keep it together with duct tape. I called Taylor Garbage and was told it is up to the county. Anyone know?

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Living in the country and urinating in the driveway area in public view is rude and wrong. If you cannot afford to use your septic system, rent or buy a portable potty or build an outhouse.