Town of Owego

• This week's bi-monthly meeting was changed from 4:00 pm Tuesday to 4:00 pm Monday, March 6 at the Town Hall becuase of the presidential primary.

• There is no logging ordinance in the Town of Owego, therefore the removal of trees is an acceptable operation at the Lopke property on Route 434 in Apalachin. Unless the grading results in disturbing the flow of water Lopke is within its rights.

• Beginning April 1, 2000, there will be tighter enforcement of people selling used cars at unauthorized properties in the town. This is a violation of the Town Code. It also creates an unfair disadvantage to people who have gone through the permit process.

• The "Diner" tractor trailer located at a local eatery will be removed.

Village of Owego

• Village voters will decide the fate of the Owego Police Department on March 21. Sources close to the issue expect a 3-1 vote in favor of keeping it.

• The board is deliberating on whether or not to contract out garbage pick up.

• Any contract the Village Board enters with the Tioga County Sheriff's Department could be reversed with the newly elected board which will be seated April 1.

Tioga County

• Chairman Peter Ward delivered his first State of the County address. Ward noted several issues such as the Treasurers office selling 40 of its foreclosed properties and the dedicated employees. He noted one of the future challenges is addressing County Buildings that are in disrepair.

"Shooting from the lip"

• The prostitutes for and against gun control are at it again. Myself being a member of the NRA, am sick an tired of having the issue prostituted. I would once like to see both sides consider the family. The parents of this little girl who was shot by a classmate in Michigan recently only care about the having their child back. The issue is not about a gun or welfare. It is about a small child who in a sense is abused because he lived in a crack house with no family life. Let the Michigan Police place the blame on the felons and leave the gun and both children out of it. Better yet, let the parents of that little girl grieve. God forbid any one of us should need that time.

• Kudos to the Endicott school board for backing off full day kindergarten to study a choice for parents who may not want to enroll. This should help offset the lack of room in the new school that will be created if all students are forced to enroll.

• As you read in this column back in 1996, pre-schoolers are being over drugged in this country at an alarming rate. The most alarming possibility, parents may feel pressured to have the children conform in their behavior when attending day care. The saddest fact is 10 % were two-year-olds and 30% were three-year-olds.

• Finally Dunkin' Donuts in Apalachin had its grand opening. Talking with owner Bill Nollis, he has about 20 employees at the site. All employees who are students are required to maintain a "B" average or better. The store will become the hub for his donut making operation. He also donated $1000 to several local service organization.

"Great horrors do not occur overnight, nor do they develop in a vacuum. They begin with small compromises, unnoticed by most people."