Letters to the Editor

Just received my copy of the Tentative County 2016 Budget on Tuesday Nov. 23. Well, low and behold taxes for a city of Fulton taxpayer are up again. I will not be voting in favor of this budget as it stands. Just a few things that make my stomach turn are these: $1,000 a piece per chair -total of 12 chairs, $100 a chair for a training center – total of 24 chairs, $1,000 debit cards for all legislators (I refuse mine each year).

Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death among the top 10 in the U.S. without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression – yet.

The Friends of the Oswego Public Library is an organization of patrons committed to expanding and enriching the programs of the Oswego Public Library. We can only achieve our goals with the assistance of generous donations from the business members in our community.

Oswego County SPCA-OCAWL had the most successful annual Howliday event yet on Nov. 15! We would like to thank The American Foundry for hosting us, and all the local businesses that donated to our silent auction. Also, thanks to the community for coming out to our fundraising event.

Now, more than ever, we need to apply pressure on the Governor’s office to rethink his strategy for dealing with nuclear power, as well as other forms of renewable energy – particularly in this region of New York State.

At a recent roundtable meeting with Congressman John Katko I asked him why the Inland Port proposed by the Port Authority of Oswego was going to Onondaga County. Congressman Katko gave a very political answer. It’s regional economic development we need. I agree to a point.

As this year’s Stone Soup intern for United Way, I would like to extend a personal thank you to all volunteers, sponsors and attendees who offered their support to the Annual Stone Soup Luncheon hosted by St. Joseph’s Parish in Oswego.

Politicians are led by polls and this is the case with Energy Reform in New York State. In a poll conducted by Clarity Campaign Labs, 77% of New York voters think the government should do more to support renewable energy and 10% of are already using renewable energy in their private lives with 60% wanting to in the future.

As the debate around the Common Core Standards continues, I spend much of my time talking about the standards and asking questions to try to gain a better understanding of what people oppose within the standards. While there have been tweaks in some states, the Common Core Standards are currently intact and being implemented in more than 40 states.