Published: June 25, 2009 07:40 am      

Letters for June 25, 2009

Gas, diesel prices need to be lowered

What's the story behind the rising gas and diesel prices? Did all the big shots run out of money and need to get more? The prices going up aren't helping the economy any. We are being encouraged to spend our money on different things. But we can't. We're spending most of our money on gas.

Don't tell us it's because summer is here! I used to work at a gas station. These prices don't go up 1 or 2 cents in a week. They seem to go up every day and sometimes two or three times in one day. I think this is bull.

I checked gas prices around Oneonta recently. BJ's was $2.68; Sunoco, $2.81 and $2.79; Hess, $2.71; Southside Diesel, $2.83; and Stewart's was $2.73 a gallon.

Prices need to be dropped back down some. Some stations are almost $3 a gallon. Drop the prices back and put a freeze on them like was done a long time ago.

Mary Hitchcock

Maryland

Corrigan has guts, heart to be mayor

As time goes on, we are seeing more and more articles, interviews, Internet blogs and letters to the editor printed on mayoral candidate Jason Corrigan, discussing his character, community service record in Oneonta and his work ethic.

In interviews professional journalists, he is characterized as genuine and earnest.

Through all of his statements and in both of his addresses, he is honest about our social issues and doesn't defend the few who abuse their powers and status, especially concerning students.

While there are many concerns regarding his campaign, what strikes me the most is that these concerns aren't really logical when examined.

His age doesn't mean he isn't ready to take on Oneonta's issues, as we have had, and currently have, "older" officials and the city is still stagnant economically and socially. His status as a student doesn't work against him as he doesn't have a full-time career or family, which means he can give even more time to the city.

I look at Jason and see someone who wants to be the face of students and residents. He can be the face of the graduating population who stays and invests its skills in Oneonta. He can be the voice of reason that brings together the students and residents. He can be the hand that reaches out to outside business and tourists, while protecting our mom-and-pop stores. His age and status don't deter prosperity at all.

I think that many residents are ready for a change, as I see our past and current administrations using politics as a business, not as a mission to serve their people. I respect Corrigan, as it takes guts to run in politics, but it takes heart to want to work for the people and not for himself.

Rob McEnaney

Oneonta

McEnaney is a junior at State University College at Oneonta.

Let corporations run all health care?

Al Gascon writes in The Daily Star on June 16, "As I can think of nothing my government does well, I most certainly don't want it getting further involved in my health care." The only alternative to the government in all cases is private industry.

Perhaps we should turn our health care over to Worldcom, Enron, General Motors, Chrysler Corp., Lehman Bros., Bear Stearns, Citi Corp., Merrill Lynch, AIG, etc.

Howard Joseph

Oneonta