INDIAN-COUNTY WARS: Taxpayers Being Scalped By Their Own Lawyers & Lobbyists

Interesting article on the continuing Oneida Indian-Madison County wars....they cannot even agree on whether the Oneida's are a "recognized" tribe under a 1934 Federal law, which would make the Nation eligible to put land into trust and out of the reach of NYS tax authority. Interestingly, the general agreement among taxpayers is that this war has dragged on too long. The lawyers and Park Strategies (our $325,000 per year Lobbyists) continue to milk this issue and the County taxpayers. See Oneida Dispatch article http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/03/12/news

HEALTH - Dental Program BCS Should Consider....

Interesting article re: school based dental health program.... perhaps BROOKFIELD CENTRAL SHOULD CONSIDER...??? "Healthy Smiles, Happy Friends", an oral health program of Bassett’s School-Based Health Centers, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the New York State Dental Foundation. The program provides students with cleanings, fluoride treatments and placement of dental sealant in the school setting. Bassett’s dental program reaches close to 2000 children in 15 school districts. WKTV-Utica http://www.wktv.com/news/local/87494482.html

MADISON COUNTY FAIR - Good News!

Funding for the Madison County Fair was widely debated at the Board of Supervisors meeting Friday, March 12. After much debate and a good showing by local, Fair Board representative, Mary Lou Thall, the board approved $10,000 for attractions and promotions and $15,000 for general expenses, so long as the fair board produces matching funds. Oneida Dispatch...http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/03/12/news/doc4b9b1499c477d092032532.txt

GAS DRILLING - Hydrofracking Informational Meeting APRIL 7

This looks like a good, even-handed presentation on HYDROFRACKING, being presented from a Scientific perspective. The League of Women Voters is partnering with the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation to host Bill Kappel, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.“He does not take an advocacy point of view,...it’s about the science involved in gas drilling.” The informational meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium in the Cazenovia High School. A moderated question and answer period will follow the presentation. Oneida Dispatch http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/03/08/news/doc4b95cf628c1a8792346586.txt

NYS: Legislators Robbing HIGHWAY TRUST FUND...

New York State raids 'dedicated' account for road work, leaving little money for repairs... NYS Legislators robbing yet another "piggy bank" to keep their premium salaries, platinum benefits and accounting schemes. Money that taxpayers thought was going to keep our roads and bridges in good repair is being siphoned off to pay for DMV and DOT staff positions and operations. This year vehicle and fuel taxes are expected to bring in $2 billion but almost half will be spent on salaries and debt... These "unintended" expenses are eating up the fund at a faster rate than building roads and bridges. Worth the read. Post Standard
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/03/new_york_state_raids_dedicated.html

RETURNING to the BLOG...

Am finally returning to this blog... taking more of a DRUDGE approach to local news and information...providing a brief synopsis of news articles and links to LOCAL INTEREST.....

MADISON CO - Annual MedicAID Costs $89 Million

Interesting article in the 12-29-09 Post Standard regarding Madison County MedicAID program. The MedicAID program covers the cost of health care for the poor. According to the article, MedicAID costs Madison County $89 MILLION each year. The cost to the State runs approximately $46 BILLION each year. http://blog.syracuse.com/neighbors
[Correction: to MedicAID]

I am not knocking MedicAID.... it is essential for many and I don't wish to literally: throw the baby out with the bath water!....rather, to keep citizens informed and putting numbers to abstract ideas.