Letters to the Editor 10-22-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- License Plates - CTR - Health Benefits - Gun Laws - Line-Item Veto - Syracuse Concern
License Plates
Editor, Times-Union:Well, people, we knew it would happen.The state is going to raise the cost of getting your plates. But wait, you say, they just reduced them. TOUGH, we need the money for road improvements. But wait, you cry again in dismay, what about all that excess money they claim to have! That's a good idea, you say, and I agree 100%, but then we're also dealing with the government, although it is only on the state level, common sense takes a back seat.
Well, here`s what I think. When the plate fees were so high before the great cut they didn`t seem to have the money to improve the roads, so how do they expect to do it now? They want to increase the operating budget $13 million for the license branches. It may be me, but every time I enter a branch there are at least two clerks sitting around or standing in the doorway to the office of that elusive person we never see talking. So if they need money why don`t they get rid of the deadbeats and rude people at the branches around the state. Heck, fire Gomer; we probably could proceed with the extension of I-69 also.
As you may well tell, I have just returned from the local branch. Well anyway, my point is we better get together and contact our state reps and the governor's office and tell them no way are we going to stand the rise of our plate fees again. Just remember what they used to be, people.
D.Brennan
North Webster
CTR
Editor: Times-Union:If you purchase more than $3,000 in money orders or make transfers among bank accounts in a series totaling $10,000 or more, you are guilty. If you purchased a new car with cash you are guilty. You are convicted of a felony - failure to file a "currency transaction report" (CTR), IRS Form 4789. The bank could have filed it for you, but under the law it's your responsibility, and the teller stands to make a fortune if you don't report it. The teller can collect a reward up to $150,000!
Failure to file a CTR is a criminal felony. And to constitute a crime, there is no requirement that the money be involved in any criminal activity. It is a crime simply not to report the transaction. The law also applies to private bankers, brokers, investment bankers, currency dealers, check-cashing firms, credit card and insurance companies, metals dealers and jewelers, pawnbrokers, loan companies, travel agencies, money senders (Western Union), auto, boat, airplane and sales companies, parties to real estate transactions, casinos and others. The penalty? If you were to make such a mistake, you would be liable to a five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
Today your wealth and your ability to do with it as you please are in great danger. The government is after our wealth more persistently and maliciously than any thief in the world. "It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error." - U.S. Supreme Court in American Communications Association v. Douds, 339 U.S. 382,442.
Read, Learn and Vote.
Daniel Stevens
Warsaw
Health Benefits
Editor, Times Union:As a Zimmer employee for the last six years, I have enjoyed wonderful benefits, including insurance. However, it was with tremendous disappointment that I learned that Bristol-Myers Squibb, our parent company, is going to insure "your same gender domestic partner who has been living with you in a spouse-like relationship for at least 12 months and his or her dependent children." (A man and woman living together in an unmarried but spouselike relationship for at least 12 months are not eligible participants.)
This new policy serves only to denigrate Judeo-Christian principles and values that are vital to individuals, families and our nation. The late Harvard University sociologist, Pitirim Sorokin, said, "No society has loosened sexual morality outside of marriage and survived. All political revolutions that brought about societal collapse were preceded by sexual revolutions in which marriage and family were no longer accorded premier status."
Won't you join me, Zimmer employees, and voice your disapproval of this new policy by writing a letter to Charles G. Tharp, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Bristol-Myers Squibb. John Calvin said it best when he said: "I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."
Linda M. Lanning
Warsaw
Gun Laws
Editor, Times Union:Strange, is it not? A person in this country is old enough and mature enough to carry a fully automatic weapon into combat. Old enough and mature enough to kill and to die in the name of freedom at the age of 18. But not old enough or mature enough to carry a handgun in his own home town. Is there something wrong with this logic, or am I missing something here?
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Line-Item Veto
Editor, Times Union:President Clinton recently used the line-item veto to strike valuable military upgrades in the FY 98 Military Construction Appropriations Act, including the $8.9 million civil engineering project at Grissom. Let me be clear, I voted in favor of and strongly support the line-item veto - so long as it is used in a prudent, thoughtful manner. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
The Grissom upgrades were included in the Pentagon's five-year plan, and it was authorized and appropriated. It is remarkable to me, although not surprising, that the president would cite his criteria for these projects on the same day he decided to line-item veto them.
In this past year, I have worked with Representative Paul McHale (D-Pa.) and the secretary of defense to include Guard and Reserve components in the nation's budget because they were gravely under-funded. In fact, the president's budget only included $10 million for all Air Force Reserve construction projects, which is barely enough for the Grissom project.
For the Clinton administration to now line-item these Guard and Reserve component projects is insulting to this bi-partisan process. The Office of Management and Budget recommended the list to be vetoed without even consulting the Pentagon. This is poor leadership from the commander-in-chief.
The line-item veto is a very useful tool in cutting unnecessary spending and I wholeheartedly support it. This specific debate is much larger than just the Grissom project. It is about White House bureaucrats arbitrarily eliminating valuable projects without consulting our military leaders. This is very disturbing. It is this reason that both Republicans and Democrats are seeking to override the President's veto.
Congressman Steve Buyer
Syracuse Concern
Editor, Times Union:Voters of the town of Syracuse: Thank you for your support with votes and input concerning town matters for the past 10 years. It has been my pleasure to serve you. I have appreciated working with nonpartisan council members who have voted their conscience on issues.
I am presently very concerned with the lack of integrity I saw displayed by some of my own Republican Party precinct committee representatives.
I"m sure you are aware of the passing of Jack Matney and the necessity of finding a replacement for his position. Three candidates applied. Two were Republicans and one a Democrat. One of the Republican candidates was selected. Please understand, I have no reason to believe William Hanes is anything but an honest individual. My concern is that the choosing developed around the central question, "What do you think of the Ind. 13 project?"
This question was addressed to Barbara Matney first. You need to know she was previously warned that if she could not say "I'm against it" she could not get the job. She chose to stress that any one issue should not be the determining factor on the choice of a council person.
The problem I see with this approach, no matter what your opinion of the issue, is that the duly elected council had already cast a 3-2 vote in favor of the design specifications. Another elected body took control of the council's legal decision making.
Other items discussed by the precinct committee people were: The need of a new water well and how budgeted monies for the highway project could be better spent. This was business that falls under the jurisdiction of the elected council members. Where is the integrity in this approach?
Eighty thousand dollars of the taxpayers' money has already been spent and a total of $300,000 was supposed to be set aside for this project. Some money was designated and some was specifically budgeted for this purpose. Will the taxpayer get these monies back? Will the precinct committee people make this decision? It seems the new council is now to fulfill the wishes of a small majority of the precinct committee people. I have good reason to believe there are some of this group who did not approve of this action.
You were advised by a newspaper editor to look at those who voted for the Ind. 13 project as you vote next time. That won't be necessary as that has been taken out of your hands by the politics game.
Forgive me for being so naive as to think the best qualifications for a position on any governmental agency is honesty and willingness to serve, not how do I feel about a pet issue of the people who will appoint me.
Carol Koble
Syracuse Town Council
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- License Plates - CTR - Health Benefits - Gun Laws - Line-Item Veto - Syracuse Concern
License Plates
Editor, Times-Union:Well, people, we knew it would happen.The state is going to raise the cost of getting your plates. But wait, you say, they just reduced them. TOUGH, we need the money for road improvements. But wait, you cry again in dismay, what about all that excess money they claim to have! That's a good idea, you say, and I agree 100%, but then we're also dealing with the government, although it is only on the state level, common sense takes a back seat.
Well, here`s what I think. When the plate fees were so high before the great cut they didn`t seem to have the money to improve the roads, so how do they expect to do it now? They want to increase the operating budget $13 million for the license branches. It may be me, but every time I enter a branch there are at least two clerks sitting around or standing in the doorway to the office of that elusive person we never see talking. So if they need money why don`t they get rid of the deadbeats and rude people at the branches around the state. Heck, fire Gomer; we probably could proceed with the extension of I-69 also.
As you may well tell, I have just returned from the local branch. Well anyway, my point is we better get together and contact our state reps and the governor's office and tell them no way are we going to stand the rise of our plate fees again. Just remember what they used to be, people.
D.Brennan
North Webster
CTR
Editor: Times-Union:If you purchase more than $3,000 in money orders or make transfers among bank accounts in a series totaling $10,000 or more, you are guilty. If you purchased a new car with cash you are guilty. You are convicted of a felony - failure to file a "currency transaction report" (CTR), IRS Form 4789. The bank could have filed it for you, but under the law it's your responsibility, and the teller stands to make a fortune if you don't report it. The teller can collect a reward up to $150,000!
Failure to file a CTR is a criminal felony. And to constitute a crime, there is no requirement that the money be involved in any criminal activity. It is a crime simply not to report the transaction. The law also applies to private bankers, brokers, investment bankers, currency dealers, check-cashing firms, credit card and insurance companies, metals dealers and jewelers, pawnbrokers, loan companies, travel agencies, money senders (Western Union), auto, boat, airplane and sales companies, parties to real estate transactions, casinos and others. The penalty? If you were to make such a mistake, you would be liable to a five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine.
Today your wealth and your ability to do with it as you please are in great danger. The government is after our wealth more persistently and maliciously than any thief in the world. "It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error." - U.S. Supreme Court in American Communications Association v. Douds, 339 U.S. 382,442.
Read, Learn and Vote.
Daniel Stevens
Warsaw
Health Benefits
Editor, Times Union:As a Zimmer employee for the last six years, I have enjoyed wonderful benefits, including insurance. However, it was with tremendous disappointment that I learned that Bristol-Myers Squibb, our parent company, is going to insure "your same gender domestic partner who has been living with you in a spouse-like relationship for at least 12 months and his or her dependent children." (A man and woman living together in an unmarried but spouselike relationship for at least 12 months are not eligible participants.)
This new policy serves only to denigrate Judeo-Christian principles and values that are vital to individuals, families and our nation. The late Harvard University sociologist, Pitirim Sorokin, said, "No society has loosened sexual morality outside of marriage and survived. All political revolutions that brought about societal collapse were preceded by sexual revolutions in which marriage and family were no longer accorded premier status."
Won't you join me, Zimmer employees, and voice your disapproval of this new policy by writing a letter to Charles G. Tharp, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Bristol-Myers Squibb. John Calvin said it best when he said: "I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent."
Linda M. Lanning
Warsaw
Gun Laws
Editor, Times Union:Strange, is it not? A person in this country is old enough and mature enough to carry a fully automatic weapon into combat. Old enough and mature enough to kill and to die in the name of freedom at the age of 18. But not old enough or mature enough to carry a handgun in his own home town. Is there something wrong with this logic, or am I missing something here?
Harold Kitson
Warsaw
Line-Item Veto
Editor, Times Union:President Clinton recently used the line-item veto to strike valuable military upgrades in the FY 98 Military Construction Appropriations Act, including the $8.9 million civil engineering project at Grissom. Let me be clear, I voted in favor of and strongly support the line-item veto - so long as it is used in a prudent, thoughtful manner. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
The Grissom upgrades were included in the Pentagon's five-year plan, and it was authorized and appropriated. It is remarkable to me, although not surprising, that the president would cite his criteria for these projects on the same day he decided to line-item veto them.
In this past year, I have worked with Representative Paul McHale (D-Pa.) and the secretary of defense to include Guard and Reserve components in the nation's budget because they were gravely under-funded. In fact, the president's budget only included $10 million for all Air Force Reserve construction projects, which is barely enough for the Grissom project.
For the Clinton administration to now line-item these Guard and Reserve component projects is insulting to this bi-partisan process. The Office of Management and Budget recommended the list to be vetoed without even consulting the Pentagon. This is poor leadership from the commander-in-chief.
The line-item veto is a very useful tool in cutting unnecessary spending and I wholeheartedly support it. This specific debate is much larger than just the Grissom project. It is about White House bureaucrats arbitrarily eliminating valuable projects without consulting our military leaders. This is very disturbing. It is this reason that both Republicans and Democrats are seeking to override the President's veto.
Congressman Steve Buyer
Syracuse Concern
Editor, Times Union:Voters of the town of Syracuse: Thank you for your support with votes and input concerning town matters for the past 10 years. It has been my pleasure to serve you. I have appreciated working with nonpartisan council members who have voted their conscience on issues.
I am presently very concerned with the lack of integrity I saw displayed by some of my own Republican Party precinct committee representatives.
I"m sure you are aware of the passing of Jack Matney and the necessity of finding a replacement for his position. Three candidates applied. Two were Republicans and one a Democrat. One of the Republican candidates was selected. Please understand, I have no reason to believe William Hanes is anything but an honest individual. My concern is that the choosing developed around the central question, "What do you think of the Ind. 13 project?"
This question was addressed to Barbara Matney first. You need to know she was previously warned that if she could not say "I'm against it" she could not get the job. She chose to stress that any one issue should not be the determining factor on the choice of a council person.
The problem I see with this approach, no matter what your opinion of the issue, is that the duly elected council had already cast a 3-2 vote in favor of the design specifications. Another elected body took control of the council's legal decision making.
Other items discussed by the precinct committee people were: The need of a new water well and how budgeted monies for the highway project could be better spent. This was business that falls under the jurisdiction of the elected council members. Where is the integrity in this approach?
Eighty thousand dollars of the taxpayers' money has already been spent and a total of $300,000 was supposed to be set aside for this project. Some money was designated and some was specifically budgeted for this purpose. Will the taxpayer get these monies back? Will the precinct committee people make this decision? It seems the new council is now to fulfill the wishes of a small majority of the precinct committee people. I have good reason to believe there are some of this group who did not approve of this action.
You were advised by a newspaper editor to look at those who voted for the Ind. 13 project as you vote next time. That won't be necessary as that has been taken out of your hands by the politics game.
Forgive me for being so naive as to think the best qualifications for a position on any governmental agency is honesty and willingness to serve, not how do I feel about a pet issue of the people who will appoint me.
Carol Koble
Syracuse Town Council
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