Yes once again our fine men and women that served our country are getting the short end of the stick, It isn’t the Federal Gov’t that is doing it it’s your own local Oswego County Legislature that is doing it.
On Thursday July 9 a resolution authorizing the repurposing of a “NYS HOME Local Program Funds” known as “Manufactured Home Replacement Program-Veterans First.” The purpose is to take the remaining balance of a $600,000 award which is $364,916 which was earmarked for Veterans and give that money to those affected by the COVID-19.
The smoke and mirrors distribution is meant to help with rent to those that can’t afford to pay their rent. In there, there is a little clause that it may be used by Small Business owners to help pay their rent. Now who do you think will get this money, I for one feel that any small business that made any contributions to a local elected official will be up first. Now the person that they pay rent to will help I’m sure because they will benefit greatly. It’s not who needs it but who you know that can get it for you.
My feelings are that of all the Veterans out there that may need this help only about 10% knew about this fund. Only $265,084 of the $600,000 was used. The $364,916 should stay where it is. There should be a all-out campaign to get all Veterans notified of the availability of this fund and money.
The Governor recently extended the State Mandate that no-one can be evicted from their residence do to lack of income caused by COVID-19. That means any money given thru this resolution will only benefit the Landlords or Small Business Owners.
Furthermore a bill (HEROS ACT) just passed last week by the House of Representatives is now in the hands of the Senate. It does have items that the Republicans have issues with and I do also. The main focus for us is that there is $100 billion in aide for Renters and Landlords. Also there is another round of Small business owner grants, as well as Stimulus Checks.
This means there is a good possibility that enough money will be available through the Federal Government to help the individual renters, Landlords and Small Business owners without taking any money that was earmarked to help the Veterans.
Veterans First-
Call your Legislator and tell him to send this back to the Committee until the next Stimulus Package is voted on. If there is no help for the Small Businesses or Renters then bring it back. The deadline is August.
Frank Castiglia Jr.
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Frank..well put and said..without naming names the veterans council …WONT EVEN SHOW UP AT THE STUDIO..to see what kind of a program im running for veterans..but thats fine when her position is up ….she might as well start looking for a new job …she has so many enemys…she wont be reelected…she shut me down for a misspelled word really…..ive bought guitars out of my own pocket ..never asked for a nichol….she called me one time and asked me not to slander her…well if she did HER JOB..i wouldn’t have to now would i….she cant even follow up after i gave her all contacts for our local race tracks..to give back to the ve9of this county…rite now she is in a easy seat…the new mayor is the same as the old one…ive had the 2nd ward alderman flip me off but thats ok also i suppose..wow cant wait to get back out of here….
Like I said before,The new & The old games have begun.
I want to make this perfectly clear that none of the Veteran’s organizations have anything to do with giving the Veterans the short end of this stick. This is all being done by the Planning and Tourism department at the County Gov’t. Some of the VFW groups don’t even have any knowledge of this grant money. Poor Poor job of getting the word out to the Vets and their organizations.
While I agree with the main points of the robbing of peter to pay paul in the writers complaint. There is another Covid-19 storm brewing directly the result of the Governor’s eviction ban. I am aware of many property owners who have not received a lick of rent from their Tenants since February and are now prohibited by his edict to use the courts, their only recourse.
Now I understand that there is very little if any sympathy for landlords, but many of them live in town invested in this town and are expecting returns from their investment so they can make their mortgage payments, tax payments, water bills, and then maybe have some left over for their own bills. In some cases this is their pension or 401K.
The storm brewing is if this continues the Banks or the City and the County will be foreclosing on many of these homes for non payment of the above and once again we will be back to the Woodard days of the City a big player in the Real estate developer business with houses off the tax rolls for extended periods..
Just maybe some of this money should be used to assist the verified needy tenants pay their rents that are in arrears to help stabilize property ownership and the city’s finances.