Opinion

To the good folks of Oswego County, thank you for a great year! As I wrap up final reports for several grants we received this year, I am struck by the overwhelming good news this year has brought to CNY Arts Center. We have so much to be grateful for and great memories to cherish.

Please remember the food drive taking place at the TOPS store in Fulton. This effort come about to assist the efforts by Catholic Charities in filling the large requests for food baskets this holiday season. The need continues and we want to assure families will have enough food for the holiday and when children are off that week on “vacation” from school.

The election results for the 25th District Legislative seat are official. The counts are Legislator Frank Castiglia Jr. D – 405 his opponent R,I – 246 and write-in candidate R – 76. Claims that the write-in candidate votes gave me the election were just not true.

Rep. Katko needs to vote no on any version of the GOP tax cut giveaway to billionaires and corporations when it returns to the House of Representatives. Senate Republicans quickly rammed their tax bill through before full analysis and debate could take place. The bill is very unpopular with the public, including 13 million people who could lose healthcare and the millions more burdened by the ripple effect of increased insurance premiums.

Congressman Katko is representing his constituents in Congress and one only needs to look at his Federal Election Commission reports to realize who his constituents are; Virginia tobacco producer the Altria Group, Oklahoma’s Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Indiana pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly, Pacific Gas and Electric from California, Koch Industries of Kansas, the Florida Sugar Cane League and many others that will benefit from the current tax reform proposal and have donated thousands and thousands of dollars to Congressman Katko.

Last week, the House of Representatives voted on the first major reform of the United States Tax Code in more than 30 years. Like every bill that comes before the House for a vote, I studied this measure and analyzed its impact on the individuals and families who live and work in our community. After careful deliberation, I cast my vote in favor of this measure. I supported this legislation for two basic reasons: The vast majority of my constituents will receive a tax cut under this plan, and this effort will allow local businesses to invest in Central New York and our workforce.

On behalf of the Fulton Athletic Boosters, i would like to give a huge thanks to members of the Fulton Lions Club, the Fulton Police Department. (and their wives), and members of the Fulton Fire Department for helping us once again in our concession stand during football games! Without their assistance we would not have been able to work as smoothly and successfully as we were able to, and we appreciate the time they volunteered to help us.

The Corps officers, captains Heather Odom and Wendy Senior, and members of the Advisory Board of the Oswego County Salvation Army offer their sincere thanks to several Oswego restaurateurs, members of Zonta, and members of the public for their generous support of the Guest Chef Dinners of 2017. A total of 598 meals were served in our dining room or as take-outs at the six dinners held throughout the year and $6,429 was raised to support the work of the Army in Oswego County.

I want to thank the people of Fulton for their support in this year’s city council race. You shared your concerns with me, and you shared your community spirit and love of Fulton with me.