Telltale signs

As our local elections are approaching I can’t help but notice all the candidate signs on lawns and roadways. Even here in the Town of Otsego I am not personally familiar with each candidate though I hope to at least understand their position on major issues. One in particular has caught my attention: LIMITED GOVERNMENT.

As I continued on my way which passed the candidate’s home I again spotted the sign but this time with another one: STOP ABORTION. The second sign represents UNLIMITED GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.

These two positions cannot co-exist. The information provided by these signs tells me that I need to know a lot more about what a candidate’s position really is before I mark my ballot on Election Day.

I encourage every voter to look at all the “signs” to truly know your candidates before supporting them with your vote.

Barbara Lyon

Fly Creek

Let your voice be heard

Did you know that at a recent Otsego Town Board ``workshop:’’

The Otsego Town Board okayed a resolution to spend another $50,00 in additional costs to the new Town building on Willow St. in Fly Creek? This building has already cost in excess of $500,000. I have repeatedly attended meetings and workshops and asked for a ``ballpark figure’’ of the estimated final cost of this project. I have not yet received an answer.

The Otsego Town Board resolved to allocate $300,000 over the next two years for a separate building to cover the road sand used in the winter even though road sand has never been covered in the past?

This was not requested by the highway superintendent. The Otsego Town Board resolved to spend $25,000 for a new server and copier.

These items were not requested by the intended users who say they do not need them.

Yet in an effort to be seen as ``fiscally conservative,’’ they did cut the town clerk’s salary by 25 percent, (by eliminating her medical benefits without any reimbursement or any other compensation) and eliminated a three percent ( approx $1000) increase in budget for our magistrate and court system.

At the last Otsego Town Board meeting, it was speculated that after this year, taxes would need to be raised 400 percent. In this economy, spending such as this is unconscionable. Election Day is next week.

Current Supervisor Tom Brieten deserves great credit for controlling the budget during his tenure. He was not present at this workshop where the above increases were discussed.

Mr. Breiten has not sought reelection. Only one candidate, a current member of the Town Board, is running.

After the November election we will have a new supervisor and a Town Board obviously ready to spend. One bright spot is that there are two truly fiscal conservatives candidates for Town Board. They are Carl Wenner and Rosemary Craig. Please elect these two fine candidates.

Whatever the results of the election, there will be a public hearing on these items on Wed., Nov 11. This is your money that is being spent. Please come and let your voice be heard.

John Phillips

Fly Creek

Thanks for your help

On Friday and Saturday, more than 50 volunteers worked in inclement conditions to make the Center State Conference Cross Country Championship Meet a success.

Despite puddles and mud, torrents of rain, a bus in a ditch, and a closed bridge in the village, it all came off without a hitch, due in large part to the help and good will of everyone there. Cooperstown’s cross country teams and the 17 other schools in the conference who run cross country owe a debt of gratitude to members of the community who prepared the course, set up fencing and tents, helped park cars, stuffed entry packets, spotted the course, kept the finish line running smoothly, ran the food and t-shirt concessions, stood by in case of emergency, and donated not only their time, but their products or sold them at a reduced rate to support the meet. Those who don’t mind a little precipitation (apparently not the press, who were notably absent) got to watch some of the best high school cross country running to be seen in the state. Thank you for your help and support.

Jessie Ravage

Cross Country Coach Cooperstown Central

Appreciates the opportunity

I would like to thank the people of Cherry Valley both in the Town and Village for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Telltale signs As our local elections are approaching I can’t help but notice all the candidate signs on lawns and roadways.

Even here in the Town of Otsego I am not personally familiar with each candidate though I hope to at least understand their position on major issues.

One in particular has caught my attention: LIMITED GOVERNMENT.

As I continued on my way which passed the candidate’s home I again spotted the sign but this time with another one: STOP ABORTION. The second sign represents UNLIMITED GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.

These two positions cannot co-exist. The information provided by these signs tells me that I need to know a lot more about what a candidate’s position really is before I mark my ballot on Election Day.

I encourage every voter to look at all the “signs” to truly know your candidates before supporting them with your vote.

Barbara Lyon

Fly Creek

Let your voice be heard

Did you know that at a recent Otsego Town Board ``workshop:’’

The Otsego Town Board okayed a resolution to spend another $50,00 in additional costs to the new Town building on Willow St. in Fly Creek? This building has already cost in excess of $500,000. I have repeatedly attended meetings and workshops and asked for a ``ballpark figure’’ of the estimated final cost of this project. I have not yet received an answer.

The Otsego Town Board resolved to allocate $300,000 over the next two years for a separate building to cover the road sand used in the winter even though road sand has never been covered in the past?

This was not requested by the highway superintendent.

The Otsego Town Board resolved to spend $25,000 for a new server and copier.

These items were not requested by the intended users who say they do not need them.

Yet in an effort to be seen as ``fiscally conservative,’’ they did cut the town clerk’s salary by 25 percent, (by eliminating her medical benefits without any reimbursement or any other compensation) and eliminated a three percent ( approx $1000) increase in budget for our magistrate and court system.

At the last Otsego Town Board meeting, it was speculated that after this year, taxes would need to be raised 400 percent. In this economy, spending such as this is unconscionable.

Election Day is next week.

Current Supervisor Tom Brieten deserves great credit for controlling the budget during his tenure. He was not present at this workshop where the above increases were discussed.

Mr. Breiten has not sought reelection. Only one candidate, a current member of the Town Board, is running.

After the November election we will have a new supervisor and a Town Board obviously ready to spend. One bright spot is that there are two truly fiscal conservatives candidates for Town Board. They are Carl Wenner and Rosemary Craig. Please elect these two fine candidates.

Whatever the results of the election, there will be a public hearing on these items on Wed., Nov 11. This is your money that is being spent. Please come and let your voice be heard.

John Phillips

Fly Creek

Thanks for your help

On Friday and Saturday, more than 50 volunteers worked in inclement conditions to make the Center State Conference Cross Country Championship Meet a success.

Despite puddles and mud, torrents of rain, a bus in a ditch, and a closed bridge in the village, it all came off without a hitch, due in large part to the help and good will of everyone there. Cooperstown’s cross country teams and the 17 other schools in the conference who run cross country owe a debt of gratitude to members of the community who prepared the course, set up fencing and tents, helped park cars, stuffed entry packets, spotted the course, kept the finish line running smoothly, ran the food and t-shirt concessions, stood by in case of emergency, and donated not only their time, but their products or sold them at a reduced rate to support the meet. Those who don’t mind a little precipitation (apparently not the press, who were notably absent) got to watch some of the best high school cross country running to be seen in the state. Thank you for your help and support.

Jessie Ravage

Cross Country Coach Cooperstown Central

Appreciates the opportunity

I would like to thank the people of Cherry Valley both in the Town and Village for giving me the opportunity to serve as your hand, it can easily spend without due thought. In this downturn, how much better to return some of this money to the appropriate people, while still maintaining adequate reserves. I would rather our Board arrive at estimates for special purchases (e.g., bringing our salt shed into compliance), and then set aside reserve accounts for those special expenditures. Without this kind of care, big decisions can be made without appropriate public knowledge or input.

Please vote for my continued service on our Town of Otsego Board on Tuesday, November 3.

Anne Geddes-Atwell

Fly Creek

Keator is my choice

Speaking from experience as a department head for Otsego County my choice for county treasure will be Ed Keator. I met Ed when he was hired on as an accountant in the treasurer’s office almost three years ago. When Ed introduced himself he was then and still is a soft-spoken man, his voice hints of patience and intellect that is a welcome breath of fresh air to my department.

On numerous occasions I had to consult with Ed on the financial and operational complexities of my maintenance department. Ed has always come through by giving me sound and proactive advice to help me with the smooth and cost effective operation of my department. This seems to come natural for Ed, and when consulting with him his intellect and experience begins to shine. You can tell he really enjoys his work and gets involved in the challenge of advising and solving the daily financial issues that we all share here at the County.

Ed in the past has been the watchdog of the numerous accounts in all the departments. Through this experience he has obtained the knowledge of their operations, revenues, issues, and concerns.

As a result of this he is able to see the ``big picture’’ of the county finances as a whole. My department and I know others have become accustom to his sound advice and we will be looking forward to working with Ed for years to come.

With the national and local economic crisis’ we are experiencing I feel 100 percent confidant that Ed will guide us through these hard times in the most fiscally responsible way possible.

With his knowledge I feel he will be a great asset to the county and its taxpayers.

I encourage you all to get out and vote on Nov 3, and if common sense prevails you will cast your vote for the man with the proven judgment and experience; that man is Ed Keator.

Douglas Czerkies

East Springfield