Take From The Poor, Give To The Rich!

by Contributor | March 18, 2019 10:14 am

To The Editor:
What are you saying Frank?

Isn’t it Take from the Rich and give to the Poor?

That is what Robin Hood and his Merry Men used to do.

Yes, that is what Robin Hood used to do and say.

But at the Oswego County Legislature the Band of Merry Men( in the Majority Caucus) feel that they should take from the Poor but give to the Rich.

Let me explain what I’m talking about.

At the March 14 full legislative meeting there was a resolution on the floor that requested that the water testing fee be raised by $10 from $20 to $30 for single home owner’s well water.

There were also fee increases for businesses as well.

I’m only talking about the single-family homeowner here.

This fee increase was preempted by the city of Oswego raising the costs from $15 to $25.

A way I believe for the city to pay for all the freebees it is giving away.

Well, the Minority Caucus made a motion to leave the water testing fee at $20 for the single-family home owners.

The motion was voted on and failed.

All of the Majority Caucus voted no.

I will try and give you their names later in this letter.

One legislator made a comment that went like this “Why should I ask the majority of the residents to pay for what a minority need.” I believe that is how it went.

My problem is this: Last year when the water levels of Lake Ontario were so high that it flooded the wells of all the expensive camps and homes along the water front, a request was made to waive the water testing fee for those home owners.

It was granted.

I voted for it also.

Almost 6 years ago when the homes along the river and creeks were flooded because the Army Corp of Engineers failed to release the water, I asked if the fees could be waived for the poor home owners that it wasn’t their fault.

Well lo and behold that request was denied with the reasoning that “Why should I ask all to pay for a few.”

My point is if you have money you don’t have to pay but if you don’t have money you have to pay.

Now these home owners all pay county and town and village taxes.

This is a service that should be included in those taxes; it shouldn’t be an add-on.

They pay an average of about $720 in county and about $240 or more in town and village taxes.

Services should be included in their taxes.

These Majority Caucus members feel you should pay.

I would say you can look at the minutes of the meeting to see who voted no on the amendment to keep the fees as is but that is the subject of another letter.

Here is the list that voted no: Kastler, Potter, Gilson, Holst, Martino, Trudell, House, Weatherup, Chesbro, Lockwood, Kline, Twiss, Walpole, Emmons, Broadwell, Wilbur, Karasek, Sorbello.

All of the Minority Caucus voted yes on the amendment.

So if you have a well and need your water tested it will cost you $10 more this year all thanks to your Majority Caucus.

Let them know how you feel, call them.

Legislator Frank Castiglia

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/take-from-the-poor-give-to-the-rich/

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