Readers' Column for the week of Feb. 28, 2010

You may call the Owego Pennysaver Readers' Column at 687-2378 24-hours a day, or e-mail comments to readerscolumn@owegopennysaver.com. We reserve the right to revise or reject any message.

Democrat Evan Bayh says he is quitting the senate because the Obama senate is too partisan. He says not one new job has been created by the stimulus pork bill. How right he is! Where are the few other honest democrats in Congress? Why won't they speak up?

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I would like to thank Bob Hoag for the pictures that he took that show how stupid we are in letting the government pay over two million to put up a riverwalk that will flood. I hope that the person that is going to call NBC's "Fleecing of America" follows through, because the riverwalk IS a waste of money. But then again, what else is new.

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To the person seeking an Avon Representative, please visit

http://tchilson.avonrepresentative.com/.www.angelsoveriraq.org If anyone else has a soldier from this area that would like a package please let us know.http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28945.html Coyote season runs from sunrise on October 1 until midnight on March 28, anytime day or night. This is for all of NYS except NYC and Long Island.

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To the obvious concern about the food we eat, or is grown and raised, we are very interested to learn where we can buy our food from local growers and farmers due to all the obvious benefits. We not only want to support our LOCAL community, but we want to eat healthier food. The food is much fresher and better when we buy directly from our farmers and growers.

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I heard Tony's in Owego is re-opening. That's exciting. What does everyone else think?

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Could anyone recommend a contractor who does concrete driveways. Please respond in this column.

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I have concerns about the cars parking by M&T Bank on Front Street. There is space for two to park, but they're parking up to Lake Street, in no parking zones. Because of this you can't see the cars coming down Front Street when you are pulling out of Lake Street. I'm afraid it's going to cause an accident. I wish the Owego Police Department would enforce that.

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I just found something really handy at Sweeney's Market that people would really enjoy. They have little packages put together for stew with potatoes, carrots and onions in it. They have onions and peppers chopped up as well so you don't have to do it. They have a lot of neat things like that in their produce section, and I just thought someone else would appreciate knowing it. Also, can we please stop with the fire company stuff. I know people are hurt and upset over it, but I'm almost considering stopping reading it because I'm really tired of hearing about it.

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I went to Newark Valley for a youth basketball game last week and I was impressed after the one game when the coach of the Newark Valley team took his team over to the center of the court and they all waived and thanked their parents and families for supporting them throughout the season. What a great lesson being taught to these kids. It was wonderful.

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I accidentally left my purse in a shopping cart in the parking lot at Price Chopper this week. An anonymous person turned it in at the service desk. My grateful thanks. That's one reason why Owego is the Coolest Small Town. We have honest and caring citizens.

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Would somebody please help me. I'm looking for someone to come into my home and work on my television. It's very big, and too big to be carting around.

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News flash for liberal socialist democrats: The budget has been controlled by a democratic congress for the last three years. The national debt has climbed to $14 trillion dollars thanks to them. The unfunded debt is over $50 trillion more. The same dimwits who have controlled the federal reserve bank for many years are still in power. The voters must clean house and get "real change" at the November elections.

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I'm calling in response to two people who have taken signs down for a political party. I think it's very childish and it's not the way to go about this. Everybody has the right to run for office, and everybody has a right to put signs up. Just because you don't like that other party doesn't mean you have the right to take their signs down and throw them.

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To our wonderful New York State leaders: I'm only working 60 hours a week and have to pay our rent, health insurance, high utility rates and car insurance. Now, my New York State tax bill is obviously going to be withheld for possibly up to three months. I was going to use this money to by some food to survive, and maybe try to pay our taxes in the future. Thanks to our political advisors for your great understanding.

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Attention all musicians - Would you like to be in a band just to have some fun? Well, then you're in luck. And when fortune comes our way, we'll gladly take that too. So, if you would like to be in this band call Mike at 687-2642.

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This is about marching band music. I enjoy listening to, and exercise while walking to marching band music. I was wondering if there were any groups in the area. If there are some, respond to this column.

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At last Tuesday's village board meeting they moved forward with the fire department by bringing in three new members. One for the squad for the critical care. They moved forward for the better of the community. It was all with company #1 to get up to the number of 40 members. Many thanks to the mayor for the handling of the trustee who abstained from voting.

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Thank you for smashing into the back of my van on Monday, Feb. 15 while I was working in the village. It would have been nice if you had notified me, but instead you decided to take off and leave me with a smashed rear window and a broken tailgate. I really appreciate it. I think it was someone with a snow plow because you left red gouges in the van.

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Taxing thin people because they’re not obese and can drink non-diet drinks is silly. Why don't we just weigh the people buying the soda, and charge them the tax based on their weight and height? What the heck kind of a law is that?

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Someone in this column wanted an exercise bike. We had an extra one and we supplied the need, but since that time we have had five or six more calls. So if people have exercise bikes out there that they don't want, there are people that would like them.

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I'm just curious to know how many people got screwed on their taxes by these companies not taking out enough Federal Income tax because of what was promised as a tax cut. My wife and I didn't have enough taken out by our companies, and now we owe money. That's a real nice pay cut, and I appreciate it. Meanwhile, our towns, village and counties are hiring people left and right - and we have no money. What is going on in this country?

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I would like to comment about everyone's favorite past-time - BINGO. First of all, there are many who can't afford to go every day of every week. Maybe they can only afford to go once a month. So why is it that the people who can afford to go every night think they have the right to say who should and should not win the jackpots, the magic numbers, or any other big money. I didn't realize there were BINGO laws out there that say only regular people get to win. BINGO is a game of chance. Whoever walks through those doors, and pays money, has every right to win whatever is available. Why try and make anyone feel guilty about winning money they're entitled to if they pay their money to play? I think people need to step back and start being fair.

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Progressivism is the disease. The U.S. Constitution is the cure. If you watch Glenn Beck, you will learn more about history and logic then you ever learned in years of liberal based schooling. Republicans will win big in November. They must return to their conservative roots. The GOP must admit they have a big spending problem too. The solution is to cut spending BIG TIME, and distribute the pain evenly and fairly, or this nation will surely face bankruptcy and another great depression.

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Can someone tell me the date and time for the vote for the Apalachin Fire Department please.

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Regarding the call that stores should be responsible for keeping track of where their thousands of customers park, this has to be a joke - right? If not, this is very sad - and also very frightening. Are there people out there that are this unobservant? The last time I looked there are numbers and / or letters on the light posts in most parking lots. If you can't remember the number for the time you are in the store, then I suggest you write it down. There are also cars nowadays with door locks that have a panic button. You push the panic button and it will activate your car horn so you can find your car. But anyone who can't find their car in a lot without help probably shouldn't be on the road at all. What if you accidentally forget where your brake pedal is? After all, you're paying good money for vehicle - so the manufacturer should tell you where the gas pedal and brake is as well, right? By the way, neither Walmart in Vestal and Sayre has anything to do with Tioga County as they're not located there. Well folks, it's time for us to use our defensive driving skills if we have others like this on the road.

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You're welcome - from the SCHMOE!

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I would like to thank the Berkshire Fire Department for putting on such a good breakfast, and I would like to thank all the people that volunteered to put it on. They did a real good job, and it was good food.

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Okay.....Enough of the riverwalk. Residents should not be blaming the mayor and council for this. They had the money given to them, and I am sure almost anyone would have taken it. If Owego had not, there are lots of towns out there that would. Who you should be blaming is the higher up government. These grants are given out by the government, who should NOT be giving money away for frivolous things like this with the economy the way it is and the national debt as high as it is. Personally, I would have preferred the money to go the debt. If they are giving Owego money for unnecessary things like the river walk, how many other grants are out there for other towns? Just think about it.

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This is to the person wanting GPS's installed at Walmart parking lots: Are you kidding? Don't you realize if they did that their prices go up. I have a simple solution for you. Just look up and check the row number you are in. It's not rocket science. And furthermore, it’s not the stores fault if you can't remember where you parked your car.

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I thought I would try and figure this tax question out so I got out my old IBM calculator from when I was a secretary there many years ago. It may be old, but still calculates faster than a jack rabbit. Mr. Arrington was Mayor in 2005, and by my calculations my taxes went up around 3%. Arrington was Mayor in 2006 too, and my taxes went up about 14% then. The other guy was in there from 2007-2008 (I didn’t much care for him either), and my taxes stayed about the same. The last two years when Mr. Arrington got back in there, my taxes have gone up about 5%. So according to my trusty IBM calculator, my taxes have gone up 22% under Mayor Arrington. I fear my kids will have to put me in a nursing home if they go any higher!

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To the person who wants a GPS in the Wal-Mart parking lots to help locate their car after shopping, perhaps Wal-Mart should provide valet parking. That way you wouldn't even have to look for a parking place and you could be delivered to the door!

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For several years now I have attended the annual Swiss Independence Day Festival at the Hickories and I have had a very enjoyable time. The food and the music is great, but remembering the history and the heritage of the event is by far the best part. I have not heard anything about this year’s festival and I am wondering if it is going to take place. I know the tradition is to hiatus once every ten years, but I did not think we were due for that for another couple of years (I don't remember hiatus being on the mark of the decade). If the organizers read this, please respond with any information you may have to this column.

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Although the person that wrote the Olympics should be every year may seem a little off in his / her thinking, it may not be such a bad idea after all. Maybe each year, after the Superbowl, they could alternate the winter and summer Olympics. I know it would not be summer time, but neither are some of the summer sports. Basketball and swimming are both winter high school sports, yet they are part of the summer Olympics. I mean, come on. Plus we could also stagger the summer Olympics to be held in the Southern Hemisphere, like in Florida. It is warm there even in the winter. What do you think?

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Anyone can get the Village of Owego tax increases from the Village office. This data will show that under four years of the current Mayor's rein the total tax increases for those four years are over 20%. As your Mayor for four years, Ed Arrington, has raised your taxes over 20%. The facts are the facts.

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I'm wondering what "amazing things" the Mayor has accomplished that the caller referenced last week? Could it be forcing trustees out of office who don't agree with him which has happened multiple times under his administration? Could it be raising my taxes 20% over four years in office? Could it be refusing to respond to written letters from his constituents, even when his constituents request a written response?

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The village elections will soon be here and there continues to be a concerted effort by a small group of unhappy firemen to unseat the present administration. The issue seems to be the administration is managing by the book and the book is inconsistent with the firemen's desires. But whoa! Isn't managing the village's affairs in an efficient and effective manner what we elected the current administration to do? Shouldn't the real issue be - is the administration doing a creditable job? Are they being fiscally responsible? Are they holding down taxes? Are they making the village a better place to live? Drive down the main street in Johnson City (JC) and compare. Check into what JC taxes are doing and compare. Think about the politically driven chaos in Albany and Washington. My assessment as a village resident of 50 years says our present village administration is doing a good job. The opposition party is hard pressed to come up with any kind of platform other than "get the firemen reinstated". I would hope my fellow citizens can and will see through this rather petty revenge tactic.

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Anyone interested in receiving the Citizens Party's entire platform can receive one by emailing owegocitizensparty@gmail.com or attending one of the Candidate Meet and Greets they are hosting.

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Many people on Medicare do not realize that you can get a good Medicare supplement insurance plan with no monthly premium. This is possible because the government pays insurance companies $670 per year for every Medicare supplement policy they sell. I have such a plan with Highmark Blue Cross.

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How much phosphorous is in your dish and laundry detergent? It matters, because it will soon cost more to remove it at the wastewater treatment plant. Want to help keep Owego taxes down? Look before you buy. Get laundry and dish detergents with 0 phosphorous in them.

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The Spencer Emergency Squad is in need of volunteer drivers for several daytime shifts. All training is provided at no cost. If you have some time to spare, please contact us at 589-6435.

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Ok, listen up human beings, this is an important message for only the human race. Tin foil on your head does not protect you from robots. It only protects from alien mind control, however, it does amplify your beta brain waves that robots feed off. I, however have found out how to ward them off. You need to put copper powder in your shampoo, the copper will block your brain waves from them, and they will eventually die off, hopefully. We can't let them win! VIVA LA REVOLUTION!

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I just wanted to comment on how sad it is that our beautiful town has become so divided. Whether it is the riverwalk, fire issues or mayoral issues it just seems sad that there is such stubborn division. I can't fault the pennysaver because they are only posting the comments, but it makes me almost ashamed to admit being from a town where adults can’t resolve these issues. I was always taught to attack the problem , not the person. I sincerely hope we can get back to the quaint little town that we once were, where people helped their neighbors, not hated them. What message are we sending to our young people who listen to all this? I live here because it is a safe place for families, but if my children behaved this way I would be very disappointed, not to mention this comes from adults who are setting examples. I hope everyone will give this some serious thought. Our sports figures are not the only role models that are disappointing.

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My name is Brianna representing "Angels over Iraq & Afghanistan". Last October we had a concert at Tioga Trails and someone gave me the name of a deployed soldier, Kevin Oakley. We sent a .package to him and it took all this time to be returned. We don't know how to find out why it was returned. If his Mom or anyone that knows would let us know if he is still there we would be glad to try again. You can reach me at 687-5682 or through the web site

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I live in one of the quirky suburbs of Owego, and I have been following your problems with the volunteers, the Riverwalk, the village elections and the upkeep of your roads. It seems like you have a lot of disgruntled citizens in your cool town. Maybe the Highway Wizard could design a robot equipped with GPS and fix the potholes, the fire department, and the view from the bridge all at once. That would be the coolest.

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I'm so sick of reading about the OFD every week. FACT - the OFD does Not need 479 members! Get over it, 200 is plenty. Quit using the reader's column to push your political agendas. Grow up!

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According to the DEC website:

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Why do some people seem so ready to say "No" to renovating the Apalachin Fire Station One? I wasn't sure it was a good idea so, I looked into it. Do people realize that the trucks (bigger because of codes) no longer fit in the old bays and barely fit in the bay added in 1976? The air cylinders are openly kept behind the fire trucks because there's no where else to put them? This is more than a hazard, it's an accident waiting to happen. There's another public meeting on March 4 at 7 p.m. Even if you don't stay for the meeting go, walk around, look at the plans. BE INFORMED! Won't this really benefit ALL of us in Apalachin? Don't our volunteers deserve the best? We don't pay these people, so can't we show them that we care? Honestly, look at all the information and then tell me you don't think it's worth less than $7 a month!

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First, I want to commend the dedicated service of law enforcement, fire and other emergency response personnel. They typically do their jobs with the best interest of the community in mind. There's just one issue that has come up repeatedly in the years I've been driving, not just locally but everywhere. I understand the need to detour traffic around emergency sites, but frequently drivers are sent blindly onto unfamiliar routes without a person or marker to get them back on track toward their destination. Stopping to ask for directions is often discouraged, and vehicles get waved through insistently to keep traffic from piling up. I've been sent on winding roads that made it impossible to guess where to turn at the next (usually signless) intersection. I've gone miles in the wrong direction, I've ended up still on the wrong side of the roadblock and had to start over, and once I followed the car in front of me to their rural driveway and had to backtrack 3 miles to get where I wanted to be. I wish the agencies redirecting the traffic would have the consideration to put up temporary arrows or cones to give us a clue instead of assuming that we have a map, GPS or enough familiarity with the area to find our own way through. I know I'm not alone in asking.

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I wish they would fill the potholes between the OFA high school and the middle school. It would be nice to have the sidewalk line painted to the high school and George Street so that students and cars know where to go.

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I hope the present mayor is reelected. I would not like to see beer in the fire station if a new one is elected. I would hate to have a drunk fireman come to put out a fire in my home.

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