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Cheers
... To past and current members of the Sidney Center United Methodist Church for not letting the burning of their building on Oct. 1 squash their spirit. Members celebrated the church's past and its future during a special service Nov. 15 at its temporary home at the Fireman's Hall on Main Street.
Devlin was wrong to go public
In everyday life, airing grievances can be frowned upon. In politics, it's an everyday occurrence. Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin Jr. recently came out against reductions proposed for the 2010 county budget, calling them "irresponsible" and saying they would "jeopardize the safety of our citizens," as well as the safety of law enforcement officers.
Hunting helps area in many ways
By the time most readers see this paper, rifle season for deer will already be under way. Local hunters will join visitors from downstate or elsewhere in the region in the woods in pursuit of the elusive buck.
Beware ticks this season
The State University College at Oneonta's Biological Field Station recently reported the area may be seeing an increase in deer ticks, and county health officials have reported more cases of Lyme disease.
Prisons, courts can handle terrorists
David Berkowitz, the "Son of Sam" murderer of six people in the late 1970s, is serving six consecutive life sentences in the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg.
Shield law vital for America
In their wisdom, the Founding Fathers created two branches of the federal legislature. Things tend to happen pretty quickly in the House of Representatives, where bills can be passed by a simple majority vote.
Cheers
To the local events honoring service men and women on Veterans Day. From school programs featuring stories and songs to solemn memorials, there was no shortage of events last week recognizing the sacrifice of men and women in uniform.
Don't let health care reform die
The House of Representatives reached a milestone on Nov. 7 _ it passed a health care reform bill, known as Affordable Health Care for America Act.
Finally _ bottle bill expansion in effect
Every now and then, it seems the state actually listens to what the people are saying. Back in May, we wrote about our mixed feelings regarding New York state's new bottle bill.
Cleanup benefits all
Otsego County is expected to fall more than 1,000 tons below its quota of deliveries to the Montgomery-Otsego-Schoharie Solid Waste Management Authority this year. And if the county doesn't meet its quota, it will cost taxpayers $106 per ton.
Extremism our enemy
"I cannot comprehend that the enemy was among us." So said Jose Padilla, the owner of a Killeen, Texas, apartment once occupied by Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, an Army psychiatrist who is accused of killing 13 soldiers and wounding 29 at Fort Hood on Nov. 5.
Don't forget veterans on their day
This editorial originally was printed Nov. 11, 2005. It runs again this year in honor of Veterans Day. Today " Nov. 11 " is Veterans Day in the United States.
Cheers
... To the Violence Intervention Program at Opportunities for Otsego for working to make life a little better for children involved in domestic-violence situations.
Fight excessive bank fees
Imagine getting penalized by your credit-card company for paying your bill, or for not having a high enough balance. Now imagine that your credit-card company tells you it is doing this to test how much you "value" your card.
Meredith's death a loss to our area
We were saddened to hear of the death of Walton Supervisor John Meredith, who died of complications from a brain tumor on Oct. 26. Meredith was 29, and yet, it is apparent from the outpouring of praise that came in the days after his death that he accomplished a great deal in his short life and left an indelible impression. Residents, fellow officials, friends, family and even people who didn't personally know Meredith lamented his death, citing his accomplishments, hard work, humor, wisdom and genuine interest in reaching out to citizens.
Public needs input on drilling regs
The state Department of Environment Conservation recently pushed back the public comment period on proposed regulations for natural-gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region of New York state.
Close races show every vote counts
Now that the electioneering has come to an end, now that the tumult and the shouting have ceased, there is something we believe Republican, Democratic and independent voters can all agree upon.
Don't panic over H1N1
There was this classic 1960 episode of Rod Serling's wonderful television series, "The Twilight Zone," called "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street."
Cheers
... To the Cooperstown Board of Trustees, for restoring funding to the police department. The board voted unanimously to restore $2,000 per month to the police budget, enabling the department to provide 24-hour coverage for the village.