TOWN & COUNTY
by Don Castellucci, Jr.

Town of Owego

The Mobil Express Mart on Rt. 17c was approved for reconstruction.

Dunkin Donuts has presented plans to the planning department to build in Apalachin.

The "Dolphin Inn" is expected to be completed sometime this spring.

The former Ken's Texaco at the corner of Rt 434 and Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin has been sold and the new owner plans to clean up the property.

Robert Reig will become the new chairman of the Planning Board following the resignation of Chairman David Opp.

Village of Owego

Elections will be held for the board on March 16. Three of four of the seats open will be filled by write in candidates or appointed by the board. Only Annette Schweiger is running for re-election.

The board voted to support the idea of paving over the Marvin Park Pool for a skating, basketball area.

Other

The debate for pre-Kindergarten funding is in full tilt. Quoting the Albany "Legislative Gazette," Richard Mills, State Education Commissioner stated momentum would be cut if the Governor's budget was approved. GOOD! We don't need a 2 billion dollar statewide program taking our children from us a year earlier. The need is based on reports that suggest pre-K improves social skills as well as get them ready for school. My answer is what is Kindergarten for? Apparently Jay Dinga has the same question. "Assemblyman Dinga reminded that the expansion of the pre-K program could damage the STAR program...Pre-K could be a 2 billion tax bill if the program amounts to universal/every child coverage and it doesn't belong in the education budget."

Paraphrasing the rest of the story, Dinga stated he has seen plenty of reports showing pre-K hasn't been as helpful as it is presented. He preferred day care have a more educational element as well as putting funding in a child and family budget. He also noted he would be painted as anti-children and education for opposing this.

I can tell you he is not. As a matter of fact I have found him to be anything but. Unfortunately putting common sense solutions in a politically correct world you can be painted that way. The governor's solution is correct. Send block grants to the districts and let them determine what programs are most important to them. NOT WASHINGTON. AND NOT ALBANY!

Let me know your opinion on giving Hickories Park to the State.

E-mail me at: DonCTOwego@aol.com

Next month: "Charter Schools and Vouchers"