Recently I read that the Town of Owego's permission from the state to clean up debris from the Apalachin creek had been extended. I cannot help but remember when times were different. After the Agnes flood some decades ago, the town received federal funds for improving the flow of streams. No permission from the state was required.

 One of those streams, being near my house, I cross daily. Its waters once flowed into a swampy area near my house that is now a popular group of baseball fields. today such an improvement requires prior state approval and there is no certainty that it would be forthcoming. I have been told (but have no easy way to verify) that the Waterman Center was reprimanded for draining an area known as the Owego Brick Pond.

 I do know that Adam Weitsman was taken to court for draining his own property. When I visited the site where the violation was alleged to have occurred, it was cleaner than my own driveway and certainly cleaner than most parking lots. And according to the DEC's own findings no significant pollution had occurred. Had Mr. Weitsman not taken the action that he did his property might have suffered extensive damage. He might even have qualified for taxpayer funds (FEMA) to make repairs.

 The public is generally not aware of the many state laws, such as the one violated by Mr. Weitsman, nor are we aware of the state's many policing powers. Did you know that the state DEC has its own police force, complete with patrol cars?

 It is time to let our state representatives know that we resent the state's dictating what was once a local responsibility.