In case anyone is still in doubt
about the state of the local economy
and is looking for the canary
in the coal mine, we’ve got one the
size of an ostrich.
Not even an ostrich could justify
keeping its head in the sand about
the figures reported from county
treasurers in this newspaper Monday.
The amount of town and county
taxes not paid in Delaware County
has jumped 25 percent since 2007.
Over the same period, Otsego
County’s unpaid town and county
taxes have risen about 6 percent.
When folks don’t pay their
town, county and school taxes
within three or four months after
billing, counties end up paying
towns and schools for their shortages
and must collect the late
taxes.
While that’s certainly a blow to
the county coffers _ the 6 percent
Otsego figure equals approximately
$330,000 in county revenues _ our
main concern is the dire situation
for property owners who can’t
make ends meet.
While the process for a county
to foreclose on a property can take
years, it’s never a good thing to see
so many of our neighbors finding
their homes at risk.
There are many reasons why
hard-working people fall behind on
their property taxes, and we don’t
need to list them here.
But suffice to say that with most
families needing two incomes to
get by even in good times, the loss
of even one of those jobs can be
devastating.
Throw in a major health-care
concern, and it’s not hard to
imagine a situation in which a
choice has to be made between
making a mortgage payment, buying
food or medicine or paying a
tax bill.
It also stands to reason that if
people are having trouble paying
property taxes, they’re also struggling
to pay their state and federal
income taxes, too.
If that’s the case, then it’s
likely that the debts _ and worries
_ grow higher and higher
each day.
So, what is there to do?
Well, we know what not to do,
and that’s to put any trust in those
television ads promoting some almost-
magical ability to get the IRS
to eliminate or greatly diminish
your debt.
Instead, we recommend seeking
out any of the many reputable
local tax consultants and other
financial advisers who can help
you fashion a plan to save your
home and avoid major problems
with the county, state or federal
government.
Clearly, the worst thing to do is
to do nothing. Ignoring the problem
is not going to solve anything. The
ostrich in the local coal mine isn’t
going away any time soon.
Editorials
Seek advice before failing on late taxes
- Editorials
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
Continued ... -
Have a heartfelt Valentine's Day
"I love you." "Be mine." "You're cute when you're spending money."
Continued ... -
Embargo no longer serves a purpose
Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy signed executive order 3447, banning trade with Cuba "in light of the subversive offensive of Sino-Soviet Communism." As this anniversary passes, it's worth asking whether this policy has had its desired effects and how much longer it should remain in place.
Continued ... -
Women must win fight for opportunity
The Pentagon announced Thursday that it will recommend that Congress officially allow women to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines.
Continued ... -
Center helps victims of child abuse and neglect
We learned some good news about some terrible news in a story by reporter Joe Mahoney in Tuesday's Daily Star.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Chamber made excellent choices on service awards
A special committee selected by the Otsego County Chamber has made two excellent decisions regarding the organization's annual awards for service to our communities.
Continued ... - Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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Cheers
To Michael Shea, Terry Bliss, and the passage of the bill to allow Otsego's exit from MOSA.
Continued ... - Monday, February 6, 2012
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A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
Continued ... - Saturday, February 4, 2012
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Pill abuse should be a priority for police, pols
Sens. Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas proposed a bill this week to help police combat a disturbing trend of increasing prescription drug abuse.
Continued ... - Friday, February 3, 2012
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More needs to be done to aid vets with PTSD
The recent story of Stamford grandmother Melody DiGregorio grieving the loss of her grandson, Air Force veteran Edward "Drew" Snyder, brings home the debilitating and often-unreported effects of post-traumatic stress disorder on our service men and women.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 2, 2012
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Area 'shocked' at underage drinking? That's shocking
It has been referenced so often that it has become a cliché.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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School's new lease on life a welcome development
It is a big place designed to echo with the sounds of young people in a healthy learning environment.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 31, 2012
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Cheers
To the Central American Youth Ambassadors Program, to Ray Preston and to the NCOC building trades class and the Prattsville Fire Department.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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Mitt's not at fault for loopholes in tax code
As the longtime frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney has faced withering attacks from rivals seeking to upset him.
Continued ... - Saturday, January 28, 2012
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Rest in peace, Naples and Stalter
Our area recently lost two important and influential members of our community: Oneonta surgeon Dr. Kenneth D. Stalter and newly elected Sixth Ward Council Member Mike Naples.
Continued ... - Friday, January 27, 2012
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Case closed on 2 years of turmoil
"Case closed."
Continued ...
Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller was referring to possible criminal charges against fired police officer Michael Breen on Wednesday, but Miller just as easily could have been talking about the more than two years of turmoil the city has endured with its police department. - Thursday, January 26, 2012
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Obama played his cards right Tuesday
Despite a daunting economy and a challenging re-election campaign, on Tuesday night President Barack Obama displayed what Mark Twain called "the calm confidence of a Christian holding four aces" in his State of the Union address.
Continued ... - Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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Searching for votes instead of honor
Say what you will about John McCain, the Republican nominee for president in 2008 who inflicted an ignorant Sarah Palin upon an unsuspecting nation.
Continued ... - Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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Cheers
To MLK Jr. Day events, Diana Nicols, and Jordan Beers and Mariah Ruff.
Continued ... - Monday, January 23, 2012
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Dignity not enough to show in speech
After weeks of watching the often unseemly, if not downright humorous, antics of the Republican candidates for his job, President Barack Obama should have little trouble providing at least one thing Tuesday night in his State of the Union address. Dignity.
Continued ...
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Embargo no longer serves a purpose
