Town and County Government Watch, Dec 1999

by Donald Castellucci, Jr.

Town of Owego

• Dunkin' Donuts on Route 434 in Apalachin should be opening its doors the week of the December 4.

• If you have noticed some ground moving on the south side of the town it is because the Chandler Landfill is being cleaned.

• The Tioga Riverfront and Greenway Study will be debated over the next two months.

• The new sewage treatment plant #1 is up and running. It is located by HADCO in Owego.

• The Toby Road water project is becoming a reality as more residents have signed the petition. The project requires both the signatures of 51% of the property owners and 51% of the assessed value. A public hearing will be scheduled.

Tioga County

• The annual budget meeting is scheduled for December 13 at 7:30 pm in the County Office Building.

• There are petitions floating to reverse the decision on the County Manager. Contact Robert Bell for more information.

Village of Owego

• James DeVita's case was settled and he was sentenced to 256 hours of community service and fined $500. He was also ordered to pay $500 in restitution.

• Donations for the restoration of the Marvin Park pool are being solicited.

• The village is considering hiring a code enforcement officer to ease the village workload.

Other Issues

• I read with amazement an article in the Press and Sun Bulletin about growing concerns over Regents "Standards" (my emphasis). Senators and superintendents alike say changes are coming too fast. That is what happens when you have to get things put in place so parents and dedicated teachers do not have time to react. These standards are not being raised, only changed. Integrated curriculums designed to influence students to take certain directions in the workforce, social attitudes, and acceptance of homosexuality not tolerance. It is nothing more and nothing less. Nothing is being raised, just changed. I would like to welcome aboard the officials who may becoming aware of the problem. I hope there are many more to follow.

• Dave Rossie recently was nice enough to include me in one of his columns about the LIBERAL MEDIA! He first bashed Reagan and Limbaugh and then me. Was I honored! His usual arguments of the media is liberal if the story doesn't agree with the readers opinion and the fact that they run conservative columnists were present. Of course that there is no mention of the fact that just as you can lead a horse to water you can lead a reader to an opinion. He also called on us right wing zealots to show some examples. Why I don't have time to send him the obvious, I will share one that sickens me.

I am sure most reading this column have heard of Matthew Shepard. He was the homosexual man who was murdered because of his sexual orientation. This is an act that is unacceptable not only because of the reason, but because any murder is unacceptable. Next people are calling for the death penalty. It is called a hate crime and it goes on. This case is plastered in every newspaper, newscast and media outlet you can find.

Now step in Jesse Dirkhising. You haven't heard of him? I am not surprised! He was the thirteen-year-old boy in California who was gagged with his underwear, bound, raped, and murdered by two men. Where is the outrage in the media? Why is this not the headlines every night? Agendas, that's why. While Governor Davis is backdooring legislation concerning homosexual rights at every opportunity, including adoption, the media will not report this heinous act. If the public was made aware of this, the homosexual agenda in this country would take a big hit. (See acceptance in school curriculum.) Of course, I don't expect you to believe me. We get all the news that's fit to print . . . after it has been filtered. Mr. Rossie the agenda is in your court!

Third Annual Blood Drive

I will be holding my third annual blood drive on Wednesday, December 8, from 1:30 to 6:30 pm at the Elks Club in Owego. During this season of giving, please consider donating again or for the first time. You can call 687-0965 for an appointment. THANK YOU.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

As of December 26, my new e-mail address will be donctownowego@cs.com