This week’s “My turn” column is by James Powers, chairman of the Otsego County Board of Representatives.
Otsego County is moving forward, changing for the better. I am proud of our county government and would like to address several areas where I believe positive change is taking place. Otsego County is involved in several exciting communications projects.
More than $1 million in grant money has been secured from state and federal sources to fund these projects.
Blue Wing has been hired as the county’s communications consultant.
It will conduct a needs analysis and design a new Emergency Services Telecommunications System based on that analysis.
An equipment shelter has already been placed at the Blend Hill tower near the city of Oneonta. Rep. Michael Arcuri has secured $400,000 in federal money to fund a wireless telecommunications link from the city of Oneonta to the Blend Hill tower to connect the city of Oneonta to the county’s ESTS.
The Federal Communications Commission has mandated that the ESTS of the county be upgraded from its present two-gigahertz system. With the cooperation of local government and the grant money from state and local agencies, the ESTS system can and will be upgraded.
The county will be running its own fiberoptic line from 197 Main St. to the Public Safety Building, including Otsego Manor, the Highway Department, and the Meadows.
The county is laying the fiber-optic line itself at a savings of $300,000. This line, when completed, will provide a savings of $60,000 per year in telephone bills. In the future, businesses and the school might be added to the line.
New York state has invested $1.3 million in the county’s annex building to provide court space. We are planning a children’s center for the Family Court located in that building. It will be welcoming, comfortable, secure and close to the court.
The Board of Representatives voted to provide financial support for Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood provides no- or low-cost essential health services to Otsego County residents.
Waste management has been a contentious issue in this county since the creation of the Montgomery Otsego Schoharie Solid Waste Management Authority 20 years ago. The Otsego County Service Agreement with MOSA is due to expire in 2014. In preparation, Otsego County has hired Hans Arnold as a solid waste consultant.
MOSA has a $9.5 million debt and $12.5 million in reserves. It is Arnold’s suggestion to use the reserve to retire this debt. This would open the door for a new service agreement and could fundamentally change the way solid waste is handled in Otsego County. It is Arnold’s suggestion that the county issue a Request for Proposal to operate the transfer stations and retain the user fee to maintain and upgrade facilities.
There is a projected loss of $1.1 million in sales tax revenue compared to 2008. Department heads were asked to make budget cuts of 5 to 10 percent. To date, this effort has removed $900,000 from the budget to offset the shortfall in sales tax.
This was difficult but necessary and included items that we should do, wanted to do, and needed to do. It is clear from the decrease in sales tax revenue that Otsego County residents have decreased their household spending. County government must do the same.
Otsego County and the Civil Service Employees Association have been involved in protracted labor negotiations. Make no mistake. The county has wonderful employees who deserve full compensation for the many services they provide.
Otsego County has offered a 3 percent annual raise retroactive to 2007 accompanied by excellent health care and retirement benefits. Salary and benefit increases are paid by the taxpayers of Otsego County. It is essential to balance the demands of the union with the pocketbooks of the taxpayers. We believe the offer is fair to both groups. Given the financial condition of the county, to offer more would be fiscally irresponsible. I would like to address the issue of a county manager. It will not happen on my watch. The Board of Representatives is directly responsible to the voters.
Two years ago, the budget process was deeply flawed. The voters did not hesitate to show their displeasure, and the composition of the Board of Representatives was changed.
That’s the way it should be. Government should be is accountable directly to the voters.
However, county government should learn from its mistakes. For this reason I would like to see Otsego County appoint a budget officer.
The county treasurer would be responsible for collecting the taxes and paying the bills. The budget officer and the Board of Representatives would chart the present and future financial course of Otsego County.
The members of the Otsego County Board of Representatives work hard, and I would like to express my appreciation and thanks. We do not always agree. In disagreement there is opportunity for discussion, compromise and understanding. I would like to thank the voters of Otsego County and my district. It is a privilege to represent you.
To write for “My turn,” contact Daily Star Publisher Tanya Shalor at tshalor@thedailystar.com or 432-1000, ext. 214.
My Turn
Related Photos
-
Powers
Discussion
Welcome to our story comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including the unpopular ones. We only ask that you keep your conversations clean, civil and on the topic of the story you are commenting on.
Coinciding with our websites redesign, we launched our new story comments feature through Disqus.
Disqus gives users the ability to log into our story comments feature so that they may be able to track their conversations, receive emails when their comments get a reply or to even have your comments update onto your Facebook or Twitter accounts.
For the time being, our story comments feature will continue to have the ability to post comments anonymously. We reserve the right to require registration in the future using your name and verified email address.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified at the newspaper’s discretion for a number of different reasons. Please follow our Online Rules of Conduct at all times.
RULES OF CONDUCT:
We reserve the right to remove comments that are unacceptable, to wit:
1. False and inacurate statements.
2. Personal attacks. Explicit name-calling.
3. Harassing, harmful, vulgar, obscene and defamatory language.
4. Threatening statements or statements that suggest violence.
5. Hate speech of any kind.
6. Intolerant comments on religion, race, age, gender, sexual preference or disabilities.
7. Accusations of criminal activity.
8. Content that is harmful to children and minors in any way.
9. References to any type of sexual activity and other private matters.
10. Random and inflammatory statements that are off topic.
11. Advertising of any kind.
12. Typing in all caps.
WE ENCOURAGE REASONABLE AND COURTEOUS COMMENTS THAT:
1. Create conversation on issues of interest and concern to fellow readers and local community members.
2. Express opinions and contrarian views.
3. Stimulate debate with respectful language.
4. Stay within the boundaries of these rules.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND OR TERMINATE ACCESS FOR:
1. Violating any of these Online Rules of Conduct.
2. Deliberately disrupting discussions with repetitive messages, meaningless messages or spam.
3. Misrepresentation of identity or impersonating another user.
WE WELCOME:
1. Flagging violations of these rules that you observe to our attention.
MONITORING:
We monitor comments regularly Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Approval of comments outside of this time (including weekends) will be sporadic.
My Turn: Otsego County facing many positive changes
- My Turn
-
-
My Turn: A retired pastor reminisces
This week's "My Turn" column is by the Rev. Ken Baldwin, a retired pastor from the United Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church. A lot happened in the early 1920s _ the Teapot Dome scandal, the founding of our Oneonta Rotary Club and Yours Truly first saw the light of day.
-
My Turn: Making Main Street Oneonta the best that it can be
THIS WEEK’S “My Turn” column is by Rachel Lutz Jessup. Jessup is the assistant branch manager at the NBT branch on Wall Street, and the president of Main Street Oneonta.
-
My Turn: Heres a run-down of all the Elks Lodge does
This week's "My Turn" column is by Oneonta Elks Lodge 1312 Acting Exalted Ruler Christine Gyure. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Oneonta Lodge 1312 has a belief in charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. As Elks, we believe laughter is better than tears, and a kind word more powerful than a frown.
-
My Turn: Hunters Helping the Hungry is a self-serving endeavor
This week's "My Turn" column is by non-hunter David Irving.
-
My Turn: What's the secret to weight loss?
This week's "My turn" column is by Juliana Hanbridge, registered dietitian and owner of Curves of Cooperstown.
- Monday, January 4, 2010
-
My Turn: Tough financial times will make our community more important to us
This week's "My turn" is by new Oneonta Mayor Richard Miller. On Jan. 1, I was sworn in as mayor. Since the election in early November, I have been meeting with members of the Common Council, the administration and the mayor, as well as attending as many commission and committee meetings as possible.
- Monday, December 28, 2009
-
My Turn: Bassett and Fox's new task is to adapt
This week's "My turn" column is by Dr. William Streck, president and chief executive officer of Basset Healthcare. The decisions by the boards of A.O. Fox Hospital and Bassett Healthcare to forge a new relationship with Fox as a Bassett affiliate are very timely ones.
- Monday, December 21, 2009
-
My Turn: Fire chief was never 'off duty'
This week's "My turn" column is by Maggie Barnes, wife of retiring Oneonta Fire Chief Robert Barnes.
- Monday, December 14, 2009
-
My Turn: Executive Service Corps helps area businesses
This week's "My turn" column is by Douglas Fielder, secretary of the Board of Directors of Executive Service Corps of Otsego and Delaware counties.
- Monday, December 7, 2009
-
My Turn: Don't be fooled by 'lipstick' health care
This week's "My turn" column is by Stuart Anderson. Washington is up to its old tricks, putting lipstick on a pig and calling it reform. The Senate's discussing a public option that states can opt out of, so people who really need that public option may have to move to another state to get it.
- Monday, November 30, 2009
-
My Turn: You can get by with a little help from FSA
This week's "My turn" is by Deborah Chicorelli, president of the Family Service Association Board of Directors. This year marks the 100th anniversary of The Family Service Association (FSA). One hundred years of helping area residents and families meet their needs.
- Monday, November 16, 2009
-
My Turn: Being a local fan is hard in times like these
This week's "My turn" column is by Joseph C. Stillman, an Oneonta-based producer and director and founder of La Paloma Films. He is also a local sports and arts fan.
- Monday, November 9, 2009
-
My Turn: Troops appreciate care packages; we need postage
This week's "My turn" column is by Beverly Soldan, Tina Burnham and Lesley Beers, who operate "Care Packages From Home."
- Monday, October 19, 2009
-
My Turn: Exactly what is assisted living?
This week's "My turn" column is by Pat Breuer, executive director of Hampshire House.
- Monday, October 5, 2009
-
My Turn: Now is the time to buy a house
This week's "My turn" column is by Joan Fox and Barbara Roberts. brokers and owners of Prudential Fox Properties in Oneonta and Cooperstown.
- Monday, September 21, 2009
-
My Turn: A great education in the early years can make all the difference
This week's "My turn" column is by Gina Reeves, the head of school of the Brookwood School in Cooperstown.
- Monday, September 14, 2009
-
My Turn: Tips to make your wedding great
This week's "My turn" column is by Alison Crotts, director of catering at The Holiday Inn in Oneonta. Whether you're recently engaged or already knee-deep in wedding planning, this is the article for you.
- Tuesday, September 8, 2009
-
My Turn: I can't run for office, but what have I done?
This week's "My turn" column is by Gary Herzig, chief operating officer of Opportunities for Otsego. Each year, when our election season approaches, I am painfully reminded that I am not eligible to run for political office.
- Monday, August 31, 2009
-
My Turn: Hurricane relief is about people
This week's "My turn" column is by Garrick Hoadley, an active member of the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team in Otsego County.
- Monday, August 17, 2009
-
My Turn: Fresh Air Fund opens doors to new worlds
This week’s “My turn” column is by Darlene Pondolfino, regional chairwoman with the Fresh Air Fund. Ever hear of the Fresh Air Fund? It’s a New York City nonprofit organization that sends inner-city kids to the country every summer.
-
My Turn: A retired pastor reminisces
