Journal:Sen. Patricia Ritchie retains the 48th district

This was an easy win for the Senator, indicating the voters are looking for tax relief and a control on unfunded mandates. Unfunded mandates, economic growth, and balancing budgets will be the next hurtle.

Mrs. Ritchie has a strong support group with her many family, friends and her staff; that started when she run for County Clerk against S. Teele, county legislator. Her supporters are sedulous and assiduous workers and they are a force to reckon with. Good job, Senator Ritchie!

Hats off to Ms. Tresidder for running a good campaign. A challenge is always good and keeps the incumbent on their toes.

Journal 48 district RITCHIE

Journal:Canton man charged five hours after release from jail

Two good things came from this arrest:
        No one was killed by this crazzy drunk
        and he is back behind bars.

Journal Discharged and Drunk

Big Vote for Tomorrow!

Everyone should get out and vote tomorrow. The balance of the country is in the hands of the voters. Voting is a right many Americans take for granted, many have died to preserve this right.

Mitt Romney    or    Barack Obama
Matt Doneny    or    Bill Ownes
Patty Ritchie    or    Amy Tresidder

I am hoping for a couple of changes this election year, but continue to support Senator Ritchie.  As a freshman senator she has done well and will be that much stronger next year. 

Journal:St. Lawrence County mayors and supervisors debate sales tax

It is time for Home Rule Legislation for a 1% increase in Sales Tax!  We should still continue to cut and keep all cuts in place. 

Journal 1%

Sheriff's Road Patrol, should or should not be?

The sheriff's road patrol has came out in full force to save their jobs, it would be expected. They are lobbying the voters to call their legislators.  Sometimes you should be careful of  what you ask for. With an abundance of State Troopers, Park Police, and other agencies in the area due to the proximity of the boarder, we may be over patrolled. Many of the voters may support the legislature's cost cutting measures.

This will be a tough battle and the county needs to look hard at their budget.  Taxes are already too high and I believe if they have to raise taxes it should be the sales tax to equal adjacent counties. A few dollars to all or 20% to the property owners...people will forced from their homes.

Oburg.

Journal:Trial ends with plea

Started with drugs, led to a murder, and now armed robbery. The terrible spiral that follows addiction. Drugs can ruin your life and usually your family and friends pay dearly for your addiction. Twelve years is a long time for a 28 year old, and prison has a way of hardening an individual.  Prison gets individuals off drugs and has many programs for addiction.  These programs only work if the individual is willing to take the program serious. Many individuals participate in local programs and usually go in and out of programs 10 - 15 times before they get results or they end up in prison.

Journal Trial.

 

 

Journal:Five St. Lawrence County residents charged over child pornography

At least none of the accused live in Ogdensburg. That does not mean they will not move her if found guilty and have to register as a Sex Offender.

Journal Pornography

Journal:Ogdensburg councilor proposes new vehicle policy

This is a great idea!  Each employee that has a car will have declare it on their income tax as income earned. This is an unnecessary expense on the tax payers and should be discontinued. 

Journal Car

Journal:Sales tax discussion heats up

I can understand Senator Ritchie's stance on increasing taxes. We do not want any more tax increases, but the bottom line will be 1% on all or 18% on the property owners. This is not a question of getting or not getting a tax increase, it is a question which tax increase we are going to get and who will pay for it.

I always believed in a flat tax or a sales tax with each individual paying a share of the cost. This is a tough spot for Senator Ritchie who has always been supported by the conservative party.

The end results will be which tax and who will pay it. Senator Ritchie should look into legislation that would raise the limit on how much local legislators can raise local sales tax. Each County and Municipality have different financial needs and saying one tax fits all may not be the right approach.

Journal Sales Tax 

Journal:St. Lawrence County supervisors support sales tax referendum

A public referendum would answer the question of what type of tax the voters preferred. There should be a third choice for the county to balance the budget without a tax increase. Without the 3rd choice it appears the voters support any kind of tax increase.

Voters could choose between a 1 percent increase in the sales tax or an 18.5 percent increase in St. Lawrence County property taxes. This is supported by the county Supervisors Association.

Journal Tax Referendum

Journal:Ready for hunting

It is that time of year and the camouflage is coming out and everyone is gearing up for hunting season. Remember be safe, and be sure before you shoot.

It is part of the North Country's tradition and our heritage.

Journal Hunting

Journal:Doheny outlines aggressive outreach approach

Doheny Outreach Programs is Targeted to his Constituents

It appears Mr. Doheny is concentrating on equal representation across his district. He plans on opening district offices in all 12 counties. He is starting to build his campaign on customer services and equal representations for all in his district.

Journal Doheny

Journal:Storm clouds gather over St. Lawrence County budget

Property or Sales Tax Increase

County Just Keeps Borrowing

Sounds like the County just keeps increasing the amount they borrow. Legislators have to come up with a plan to stop this downward spiral. It will either be an increase in property taxes or increase sales tax rate. Most are looking for a sales tax increase which would distribute the cost of government to everyone. NYS is one of the highest taxed states in the country. Something has to give and until then those that have will end up paying.

The legislature is looking to pass a bill that would allow Counties to increase the sales tax on their own. This will allow the Counties some leverage in balancing budgets.

Journal County

Journal:Ogdensburg approves housing grant application

The Applies for More Block Grant $$$$$

By the skin of their teeth the City submits a grant processed for up to $400,000 from the Federal Community Development Block Grant funds. It appears the City will administer and manage the grant money, that is if they get it. After the last turmoil and political boondoggle it has to get better.

Journal block grant

Journal:Ritchie employs more staff members than most state senators

Senator Ritchie Staff Budget is in the Middle of the Pack and Under Budget

This is an interesting article and could be spun a couple of ways. I believe the Republicans were elected into the majority because the democrats lack of leadership, too much criminal activities among members, circus charades on the senate floor, and the democrats inability to spend within their means. During the last election the democrats did run up considerable deficits and it was left for the new majority to hammer out a balanced budget.

Senator Ritchie is in the middle of the pack when it comes to spending in the Senate and she has a very large area to cover. She has offices in Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence County to reach her constituency which is what every Senator should be doing. She is under budget, a conservative, and is looking out for you and I.

Journal Staffing