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
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
Climate Justice Countdown
So many in our communities are poor and struggling. And it's not by accident. We are being deliberately exploited and manipulated for the benefit of the 1%. Our bodies are being exploited for cheap labor, and our land is being destroyed as they extract resources to make energy, poisoning our water and our air and our soil and our bodies in the process. It … [Read more...] about Climate Justice Countdown
Really Not April Fools
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
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
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
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
LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO
LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO There is less than a month to go to enact a public financing of elections law this year. Let’s get this done and allow a greater diversity of people access to the political process. Let’s reduce the influence of big money and major corporations by giving small donors a fair chance. Let’s elect people who represent the people. … [Read more...] about LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO
Rough and Tough is not Justice
Rough and Tough is not Justice. The Press & Sun Bulletin ignored this letter a year ago and again now, so if a resident of Broome County attends a Public Safety legislative committee meeting, they are not allowed to speak. So what is John Q. Public to do? Everyone can agree that someone who commits a crime should take responsibility for their actions … [Read more...] about Rough and Tough is not Justice
How I Found Out Mayor David Secretly Cut His Property Tax Bill by 27%
Having worked at City Hall for almost eight years prior to the current administration, I remain friends or friendly with dozens of city employees: in the Police and Fire Departments, over at the “Rock” (our endearing term for the DPW facility), in every division of Public Works, and in Planning and Development. Often, I receive whispers of wrongdoing, or … [Read more...] about How I Found Out Mayor David Secretly Cut His Property Tax Bill by 27%
