The Bridge

Binghamton's Community Link

City Approves Questionable FEMA Buyout Payments: Owners Paid up to 4x Listed Fair Market Value

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According to a review of city documents by The Bridge, owners of flood-damaged, substandard rental properties in a neighborhood with 62% of residents living at or below poverty (Census, 2013-2017 ACS), received FEMA Buyout payments far in excess of fair market values. In one case, 20 Carroll Street, the FEMA Buyout payment was four times the property's … [Read more...] about City Approves Questionable FEMA Buyout Payments: Owners Paid up to 4x Listed Fair Market Value

Citizen Input Needed on Annual Federal Housing Grants to City of Binghamton

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Each year, the City of Binghamton receives approximately $2 million from HUD through the Community Development Block Grant program, consistently ranked by Republican and Democratic mayors across the country as one of the most important funding sources to support investments in distressed neighborhoods, local housing needs, and nonprofits delivering essential … [Read more...] about Citizen Input Needed on Annual Federal Housing Grants to City of Binghamton

What is the Broome County Jail Culture?

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Federal, state and other counties offer five (5) free postage paid envelopes to inmates.  Broome does not.  Why not even one a week? There are no weekend visits at BC Jail.  This is a hardship for relatives from out of town and for those who work locally.   Does that mean there are not full shifts on the weekends? Tioga County only has weekend … [Read more...] about What is the Broome County Jail Culture?

A Guide for Zombie Hunters: How to Deal with these Vacant Properties (not flesh-eating deadwalkers)

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I live next door to a zombie, and I worry that trouble is coming this summer. The zombie is a single family residence with three bedrooms and about 1,700 square feet of living space. The owner defaulted on the mortgage a couple years ago, and before he moved to Texas, he offered the house up to a nice family from his church that was in need of … [Read more...] about A Guide for Zombie Hunters: How to Deal with these Vacant Properties (not flesh-eating deadwalkers)

Obituary: Iris Thor

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Iris Thor died on April 2. She was 96 years young. Iris was born in Buffalo, NY and was predeceased by her parents, two brothers and husband Harry A. Thor. Iris graduated in 1948 from the University of Buffalo with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology. While working toward an M.S.W. and serving the city of Detroit as a caseworker, she met and married … [Read more...] about Obituary: Iris Thor

Really Not April Fools

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Joshua Bernard, I really salute all you have contributed to Binghamton and that you love Broome County because I do too.   Yes, there is lots to do here. How long does it take to find a parking space in Binghamton – four and a half years; since they demolished the 500 spot Collier St parking ramp.  People needing to go to the Court and Government Complex … [Read more...] about Really Not April Fools

First the Questionable Reduced Assessment, now an Illegal STAR EXEMPTION: Mayor Uses Influence over Assessor to Save Thousands in Local Taxes

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On February 5, I published an article on the bridge explaining how Mayor Rich David quietly and questionably secured a nearly 30% reduction of his downtown property tax bill. Mayor Rich David is now saving thousands in local property taxes because, in 2018, the City Assessor—a position the Mayor oversees and appoints—used a questionable “informal review” … [Read more...] about First the Questionable Reduced Assessment, now an Illegal STAR EXEMPTION: Mayor Uses Influence over Assessor to Save Thousands in Local Taxes

Grievances at Jail

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by Judy Arnold If you still think dehumanization is BLARNEY---- According to the Broome County Sheriff Dept Annual Report there is an inmate grievance policy. Supposedly that would mean an inmate could report a difficulty or seek help about a situation. At the Broome County Jail “The chief administrative officer (Sheriff) or his designee ensures that … [Read more...] about Grievances at Jail

BOSCOVS: The Smoke and Mirrors over Tax Breaks and Ownership

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On April 13, 2018, Mayor Rich David issued an official city news release, announcing the City had entered into a one-year extension of lease, PILOT, and parking agreements with Boscovs Department Store. The release, available on the City's website (and pictured below), stated, "A one-year extension of Boscov’s payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement was … [Read more...] about BOSCOVS: The Smoke and Mirrors over Tax Breaks and Ownership

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