{"Body Text Edit"/}Despite recent declarations from Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke that the economy is on the mend, the recession doesn't seem to be easing locally.
Earlier this month, the Delaware County Board of Supervisors decided not to include increases in salaries in the 2010 personnel budget, with the exception of longevity pay. According to Chairman James Eisel, there will be no cost-of-living salary adjustments or step increments.
Calling the decision "distasteful," Eisel nonetheless spoke of the practicality of cutting back during tough times. "This is not a good year for taxpayers who are unemployed and we must do our part; they expect nothing less."
We applaud this frugality by the Delaware County board. It is heartening to hear that the board is keeping the taxpayers in mind when analyzing its budget.
We also recognize how difficult a decision this must be for the board. But as Eisel pointed out, the economic downturn has brought plummeting sales-tax revenues and mortgage-tax receipts. As these revenue sources decline, expenses increase.
"Our fund balance is eroding fast," Eisel said, "and we may be in more financial trouble in 2010 if the economy doesn't turn around."
If the board continues to approach these difficult matters with the resolve and sense demonstrated so far, Delaware County will weather this economic crisis.
{"Headline24"/}Good job so far on fiber optics
{"Body Text Edit"/}Otsego County is not only making progress on its fiber-optic cable project _ it's bringing the much-needed service to the area on time and under budget, according to officials.
Work began about two months ago on county Route 33W in Middlefield and continued north on county Route 33. Thanks to coordination between county officials and the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, the conduit will be laid along the railway's right-of-way up to Route 80, according to Brian Pokorny, Otsego County's IT director. The direct route will save time and money, as other options would have required an outside contractor and expensive equipment.
We are pleased with the progress of this project and the responsible manner in which the parties involved have allocated time and money. Pokorny told The Daily Star that the project may pay for itself within five years; in the meantime, it will provide much better communication to area residents.
To undertake such a project is encouraging; to do so as efficiently as the county has demonstrated is laudable.
