Oneonta's identity needs a makeover
A recent study states Oneonta has no identity. I disagree. All other young professionals and families who have the means to leave here must disagree as well.
Oneonta's identity is to preserve the status quo, make sure old money prevails over new ideas, and smear anybody who tries anything new. We have an opportunity in Jason Corrigan to show we actually care about our community and we can join other small cities in getting grants to do many positive things. Being "green" also could lower taxes and provide transportation options. Who can argue?
Also, to the town, a voter cannot "re-elect" a town board member who was never on the ballot but was instead appointed by the board. This is very disingenuous. No wonder voters can't even trust their local government, not to mention state or federal!
Jason Smith
Oneonta
Gas drilling should be well-regulated
Regarding drilling in the Marcellus shale, I have a few opinions I'd like to share. I have read many letters by very distinguished and concerned citizens, and I respect all of their views. I also reference www.dec.ny.gov/energy/46288.html as one source of information. I am still not sold on the idea. I believe it is a new technology that has had mixed results. In its day, asbestos was a great idea. Now look what we've found out.
As a solution, I recommend that counties, towns, villages, cities, landowners, water users, governments that manage roads and highways and other concerned parties band together and take the following actions:
1. Require the landowners, leaseholders and companies doing the drilling to obtain a surety bond to protect everyone for the near future as well as the distant future (minimum of 100 years) against any and all damages caused by the drilling.
2. Require that government prove it can oversee the drilling to ensure at a minimum that all regulations are adhered to. If it is unable to do so, additional funding shall be supplied by the landowners, leaseholders and companies doing the drilling to fund an independent organization to do the same. And when I say "independent," I mean approved of and by the counties, towns, villages, cities, landowners, water users, governments that manage roads and highways and any other concerned parties, NOT by the people that are out to make a profit.
By taking these actions, the concerned parties are not disallowing landowners from making a profit; they are simply trying to guarantee their interests (i.e., drinking water, useable roads, etc.) and prevent the unscrupulous from raping the land and then leaving the flotsam and jetsam for the residents.
Douglas J. Barnard
Waldorf, Md.
Deane, Craig serve town of Otsego well
It's time to make our voices heard in the town of Otsego. For 20 years, we have had a town clerk that has made improvements and with accuracy has done an outstanding job. This is Pam Deane. The last thing we need is to have this record destroyed by an inexperienced person.
Every person in our town also needs to have someone on the town board that will listen to them. Rosemary Craig would be this kind of representative. We do not need unnecessary projects that would raise our taxes even higher.
Our vote for these ladies is a step in the right direction.
Velma Armstrong
Cooperstown
Republicans lack ideas of their own
Tom Sears asserted in his column of Oct. 13 that the conservative wing of the Republican Party was winning the war of ideas. I would strongly disagree.
Conservatives in the Republican Party have so far failed to contribute any constructive ideas to the debates of how to solve the many critical problems we are facing. What is their solution to improving health care? There is no Republican alternative bill in Congress that I am aware of, except to oppose anything the Democrats support. Alternate energy and reduction of carbon emissions? Nada.
Instead of contributing good legislative ideas, Conservatives are throwing a temper tantrum now that they are out of power. In order to win any "war of ideas," they first have to have some. All they seem to be capable of is hoping the Democrats fail so they can win some seats in the next election. That is hardly the mark of a responsible, mature national party, and they are doing this country that they claim to love so much a real disservice with their shrill, negative approach to any new ideas.
Imagine what could be accomplished if both parties actually worked together to solve some of these problems.
Richard Hartwick
South New Berlin
Murphy works hard for area residents
Please vote for Otsego County Representative Rich Murphy. He is seeking re-election to another term to represent District 4 in Oneonta. Rich is competent, dedicated, attentive to his constituents and really a great guy. He'll continue to work hard for Oneonta and Otsego County.
He combines an understanding of the big picture with the small details that comprise most local residents' interaction with county government. For example, his work on the Public Works Committee enabled the county Route 8 project to coordinate with the town sidewalk program. This cooperative effort saved taxpayer dollars and resulted in improved safety for motorists and pedestrians.
Rich's ability to work with people gets results. His fellow representatives recognized this quality when they named him to the administrative committee on the county board, where he has helped save more than $1 million in costs for Otsego County taxpayers.
Rich is serious about environmental concerns, and we need his experience and knowledge on issues ranging from fixing MOSA to protecting municipal and rural water supplies, a particularly important issue with the gas-drilling debate under way. He is an excellent and fair negotiator. He served on the negotiations committee and was instrumental in breaking the CSEA contract deadlock.
One personal anecdote. A few years ago, I spoke to Rich Murphy, in his capacity as an Oneonta town board member, about a dangerous intersection in the town of Oneonta. Rich took the time to drive out and take a look. Within a few weeks, new signage was in place and the problem was fixed. That's typical of Rich. He's responsive to the legitimate concerns of his constituents, and acts thoughtfully and promptly to address them.
I'm very happy to support Rich for re-election and I hope that you, too, will support him with your vote on Election Day.
Andy Puritz
Oneonta
School-tax changes were unexpected
Recently, I was very surprised to find that the Enhanced STAR program for senior citizens was discontinued retroactively. The rebate check for school taxes paid in 2008 is usually sent at the end of September. In fact, the state website still states this. I, like most people, then use it to help pay this year's school taxes. I was completely blindsided.
That's not all I've found out about cuts. HUD has closed down new applications for Section 8 rental assistance and the after-school program, CROP, has been canceled.
More notice is needed from the media and our representatives on these and any other cuts.
Don't blindside the people who need these programs so we don't bother anyone with our objections.
Ann DuBois
Stamford
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