Letters to the Editor

This is in regard to County Legislator Frank Castiglia’s recent letter to the editor. I’m going to try to shed some truth on his scattered and random thoughts.

It’s happening. G. Ray Bodley High School is losing a legend. That word is sometimes thrown around and applied too loosely; the characterization often too veiled. However, for the purpose of describing Mr. Len Senecal, it seems to fit all too well. From collaborating and producing excellent journalism and a phenomenal yearbook, to sharing stories and reveling in our shared music interests, I have been proud to call Mr. Senecal a friend for many years.

Last year, taxes went up. This year, fees are going up. We must ask ourselves if this is a means of helping the revitalization of the city or just another straw on our backs. Fees are just another form of a tax. Fees for improving your house in any shape or form may start to cost you more.

This week the first of three hundred survey cards were sent out to the homeowners that voted in the last election. The survey cards look like the sample card below. If you received one please take some time to read and send the survey back. It will not cost you anything other than a little time.

The proposed 2016-2017 Oswego school budget of $79,510,611 is the amount of money that the Oswego City School District can afford. Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is no longer an option; Peter has run out of money!! Voting this budget down will not restore any of the cuts involved to reach this budget number.

May 12, 2016, Government Day at the Oswego County Legislature: a day when junior high schoolers come to the legislature to see how government works. Well today they got a lesson in political integrity and political accountability and it didn’t cost them a thing. Most political majors in college pay a minimum of $150 a credit hour.

As the Fulton Board of Education has adopted a budget for the 2016-2017 school year, and it has been presented to the voters of our community for their consideration, I hope that all eligible voters will cast their vote on Tuesday, May 17.

I would like to encourage everyone to get out and support this year’s budget. This year’s budget is a modest increase in spending from the previous year. The spending increase is 2.47% similar to what anyone might expect their own spending to increase from year to year.

This past week I was present at a political gathering that was attended by some of Oswego County’s elected officials and also several of our state representatives. During the gathering one of the state representatives asked me a question regarding a resolution and a request for the state to change a home-rule law. This representative and the majority caucus are looking to change a rule that each and every elected official in the state must follow.