CouncilmanChas

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T12:55:00.001-05:00

I want to wish my friends and family a very happy and healthy and peaceful New Year.

I keep hearing that we are looking forward to a better year next year. I sincerely hope that is true.

Politics today

2009-08-14T13:41:00.003-04:00

We are going thru a time such as we have never experienced before.

We have always looked up to our government even though we have always known it was not perfect. Now we don't know what to think. We see leaders getting up and telling us things and very soon after it is proved that what we are being told is not the truth. This is not a criticizm on my part, but a statement of fact. How do you trust?

My advice, change things to a situation where we have greater trust in our government, and many of the problems we are experiencing will go away.

Next advice, begin to put the values we knew at one time back into our society, and watch the problems begin to fade even faster.

Next advice, bring God back into our homes, our schools and our nation. Some of the things we are doing are inviting the wrath of God, can this be a good thing?

I will say it again, 2nd Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

It sounds very simple doesn't it.

How long??????

2008-11-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

We were bamboozled with the 700 B bail out. Those receiving money from it were told not to use it except for lending or shoring up a company or bank. We then heard the banks were buying other banks and giving big bonuses to CEO's. AIG took the bailout money and went to a resort to vacation it's exec's. Recently it went to a big resort just after it asked for another bailout.

I wonder how long it will be before the american people get sick of this.?

What are we coming to?

2008-10-28T19:19:00.002-04:00

As our election process moves forward, it gets more and more nasty, more lies and half truths.
I probably am old fashioned and naive to wish for an election where you don't have to vote for the lesser of two evils. Most of us really don't want to vote for either candidate.
Barack Obama has so many skeletons in his closet he can't get the door closed. Felons, terrorists, members of Middle East terrorist groups, Pastors who hate America and are not afraid to say so. Home grown terrorist who openly talk about bombing the Pentagon and Police Station. Farakahn who hates every white person who walks our streets and the entire country too.
Everyone has heard his history, they hear it and close their ears. They are pretending that anyone is better than George Bush.
If he turns out to be the President many of us think he will, I don't want to hear complaints from those who have sung his praises.
We told you so.

I'm not that old.

2008-10-25T14:22:00.001-04:00

I didn't live thru the great depression so I don't know how it works. I see pictures of bread lines city blocks long.
Go out to dinner tonight and see how many eating places you find where it is hard to find a place to park your car.
Go to Wal-mart and count the cars in the parking lot. The extra parking lots are full too.

It doesn't add up in my mind, the economy seems to be in pretty good shape.

Is all of this economy crap just for the election????????????????

Keep this in mind

2008-09-06T10:52:00.000-04:00

The last time someone ran on change as Obama is doing, he asked those in power to allow him to win the election. This was done and he did win. As soon as he got into office he turned against those who supported him. His name was Adolf Hitler.

It makes you wonder!!!!

2008-07-20T20:36:00.000-04:00

I can't help but think, the problem with radical Islamist's is a world wide problem, we are in danger of losing our lifestyle, our culture, our country and its legal system, even our heads if we don't become a follower of the islamic faith. This is problem in every country in the world. Every person who does not begin to follow the islamic faith is an infidel and must be killed. Aren't they fighting words

Right now we have a battlefront where we can go in and do battle against these extreemist, we have a chance to do real harm to these people. How come every country in the world is not sending soldiers into Afghanistan, why isn't the coalition so big we will have trouble fitting them all in Afghanistan. What is the thinking in the rest of the world, when we are the only ones sending in soldiers in a big way. Does the rest of the world think we are foolish for fighting this battle, are we the only ones looking at the situation in the way we do?

It makes you wonder??

What the 4th of July is all about.

2008-07-04T18:21:00.000-04:00

The Declaration of Independence

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

New Website

2008-04-16T03:23:00.000-04:00

Corinth has a new website, I bookmarked it on my desktop and called it the Corinth Basher.
I did that because it seems the only purpose of it is to bash the Elected Officials.
I have a website, www.aboutcharliebrown.com, right now it doesn't have a picture of me but it did before and it will again. It also has my name on the Index page and even in the domain name. The person who put this site up, (and we know who it is) has not put his name on it, he bashes all of the officials from behind a screen put up by the internet. Many of the facts stated on the site are not facts they are wrong information or half truths.
The site says that of the 2 elected boards in the town and village, only one person is doing what is right, everyone else is not doing what they should. I certainly doubt we could convince the majority of people of that. If I were that one official I would ask him to remove my name, for certainly it is not the truth.
My attorney tells me if I receive a letter with out a signature, throw it away, for it means nothing, I wonder if that goes for websites too?

Very true

2008-03-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

My Granddaughter Naomi has a signature on her email which says, "character is what you do when no one is watching. This is so true. I often hear the joke where people say I never saw a Hearse with a UHaul behind it. Meaning you cannot take it with you. No matter how much money, or diamonds, or property you have, you cannot take them with you when you go. When you stand before that judgement throne the only thing you will have brought with you is your character.
I don't know where it is but there is a verse in the bible which says everything that is secret will someday be revealed. We are only kidding ourselves when we think something we do behind closed doors will be kept a secret, we all live in the same world, and the whole world is planned and controlled by God, and he says our character will be judged and our secrets will be revealed.
I sometimes find myself responsible for other peoples money or assets. I think that if I were a person of little character I would think I could get away with something and no one would know. You can trust a person who is of good character, you could leave your money or assets right on the table and walk away, when you come back they would still sit on the table where you left them. The fact that no one is watching is not a factor. Because character is what you do when no one is watching.

No big deal

2008-03-18T16:18:00.000-04:00

All there is on the tv is the Barack Obama issue and the rant of his pastor against the United States. I don't see the problem as to what he will do now that the antics of his pastor have been made known.
He should do whatever he wants to do, if he wants to swear allegiance to this man and his hatred for the United States, do it, but certainly he should not be running for the office of President of the United States if he supports that hatred for the country. I have heard many times on the media about how little we know about the man. We are learning fast, with the talk about association with Farakahn and trips to Tripoli, how much more do we need to know. How foolish could we be to elect this man to the most powerful office in the country.

Getting away

2008-02-21T20:03:00.000-05:00

I was fortunate enough to spend the last few days in NYC. Each year someone gets to go to the Association of Towns conference in the NY Hilton. It is a great place to learn about town government. All kinds of classes are offered for elected officials and government employees to learn more about their jobs.
I plan on getting away every month or 2 from now on, it refreshes you and allows you to get back into life and do the things you want to do. I can't wait for my turn to come again. I still have lots to learn about government.

What is this Super Delegate thing?

2008-02-09T18:22:00.001-05:00

I have been paying attention to the talk about Super Delegates, it doesn't sound good to me.
The delegates are not elected by the people, or are they required to vote the way the voters indicate. They are free to vote for anyone they want to, regardless. They have no obligation to anyone.
One of the Super Delegates is Bill Clinton, the husband of Hillary. Isn't that a conflict?, there is no doubt how he will vote, and many of the other delegates are friends or cohorts of the Clintons.
Are we being naive or not when we use that word democracy? And 20% of the delegates are Super Delagates, that is enough to control the process. WOW

Life goes on.

2008-02-06T19:15:00.000-05:00

Super Tuesday has come and gone. We listened to the hours of campaigning, we donated our money and we voted as all good citizens should. Barack Obama just said on tv, " this was only one battle to fight, we have many more to fight". That means we have many more hours of campaigning to listen to, many more commercials to listen to.
Our next tax bill will be much higher than we think it should be, the one after that, the same thing. We will continue to pay the high prices for gas, oil, groceries, and necessities. We will continue to think those in Washington could care less about us.
Hillary Clinton just gave her campaign $5 million dollars for a job which she could only make a salary of $1.6 million on, isn't that a little strange.
Corporations are running the country right now, and Hillary is either on the board of one of the largest corporations or has been for many years. Could there possibly be any connection there.

Today is the day!!!

2008-02-05T09:57:00.001-05:00

For all of the candidates today is a big day. For those who don't have a chance to win the nomination of their party they will have strong reasons why they don't need to do this anymore. For those who are front runners, it encourages them to work harder because the big event will come up in November.
I am again disappointed with the fact that I have no clear choice. Some of the candidates are not strong choices, some on the ballot today are definitely masters of deception, and even with the solid records of unfavorable behavior and such, they are trying to fool all of the people all of the time.
God Bless the voter, may we make the right choice today.

A great town

2008-02-03T06:45:00.000-05:00

I am up early this morning. As I sit at the computer it is quiet, no snowblowers, no cars racing by. It gives you time to think. I just read the article in the Post Star about the Corinth Wesleyan Church having a special service to help Natalie Collura.
Corinth has a history of gathering together to help someone in need, it has been going on for as many years as I have lived in the town, which is 70 years. We have a few faults, but when someone is in trouble the town really shines and circles the wagons to help out the one in trouble.
Natalie, our prayers are with you and your family as you go thru this trying time. And Corinth keep up the good work.

Looking forward

2008-02-02T15:46:00.000-05:00

This is an unusual weekend, we are looking forward to the Super Bowl, one of the biggest sports events in the sporting world. We no more than get thru that and we have Super Tuesday, one of the big events in the political world. What a Super weekend.

No kidding!

2008-02-01T15:31:00.000-05:00

I have not posted on my blog in quite some time. My website is getting neglected also. I bought a new computer and my software was not legal anymore. I recently purchased the software to get back in touch with the site so very soon I will be back at it updating my 2 blog sites and my webpage www.aboutcharliebrown.com. It will be good to get back into it. I will try to update much more often.

I was watching tv the other day and someone mistakenly made the remark,, "we will have an election very soon". They left themselves wide open on that one. The return remark was of course " Oh, I hadn't noticed". It seems nothing else on TV is important except who is going to be elected in November. You have to wonder what the real deep down reasons anyone would run for the top office in the land. Is it money, or power or both? The job ages you like nothing else in life, except cancer. It places on your shoulders a pressure you have to wonder how anyone can cope with. You are attacked for almost everything you do and praised not nearly enough.

I would be happy if we could change things so we didn't have to vote for the lesser of 2 evils every time. it seems for a job as important as the job of president is we would be able to say, "I really like this or that person, I think they would make a good President. I heard someone say this morning, if one certain person called me and wanted me to hire them for a job, with all the problems they have had in life, I would certainly not even consider them because without question there will be more problems. It doesn't work that way. If the money is there they can go on with the campaign and nothing else matters. Too bad!!!!

A little scary

2007-11-16T17:06:00.000-05:00

I worked for a company that hated unions. I was a union member for my entire life. To work there you had to join the union and because you were a union member you were a second class citizen as far as the company was concerned.
At one point in time the company decided we had to wear hard hats and at the same time they said we had to wear a certain color hat determined by where we worked. Instrument Electricians (which I was) wore yellow hats, mechanical people work blue, management wore white. After researching the subject I found out that was a tactic to undermine the union atmosphere and divide us. Divide and conquer I suppose.
When the next election rolls around we will hear a lot about Red and Blue States, wow, is someone trying to divide us, and more importantly who is doing it.
If it is those who represent us that is really bad, but if it is someone from out side the country, that is worse yet. I hope I am barking up the wrong tree.

Trying to understand

2007-10-29T20:31:00.000-04:00

I have listened for days now and tried to understand what is going on in the heads of our upperlevel politicians. Gov. Spitzer did such a great job as AG, how could he be doing such a bad job as governor.
I can't for the life of me understand how anyone could think that we should be rewarding people for doing illegal things. Why would we want to help someone who is breaking the law, why do they insult those of us who willingly obey the law by rewarding those who knowingly break the law.
We are in a bad enough position from some of the decisions that have been made without taking a chance on helping someone who wants to do us harm. Certainly some of those who are in the country illegally are here to do us harm.

I guess I will continue to "try to understand"

Beautiful country

2007-07-08T07:20:00.000-04:00

Some one who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia said to my son, "I just spent a few days in the most beautiful part of the country", He said where is that? Her answer was "have you ever traveled to the Adirondacks" Of course he laughed because he was born and raised in the Adirondacks.

We look at the beautiful scenes and we see them but just like a spot on the wall that has been there for ages, we begin to not notice. Go to the boat launch on the Spier Falls Road where the road curves and look up the river. I think it is Mt. Anthony that you see.What a beautiful sight, one that only God could put together. I find it hard to believe that it happened by accident as those who believe life happened, the result of a "big bang" and life and the world just happened.

I can remember

2007-03-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

When I was a child I can remember waiting for some event to happen. It would seem like forever for it to happen and the waiting was unbearable, I could not stand it. Little kids are like that.

I often feel the same way as I wait for Spring to come and the snow and cold weather to go away.

Do you suppose I am reverting to my childhood again, I am not like that waiting for anything else.
Or is it just because, like everyone else, I just want really bad for the weather to get better and more enjoyable.

It is scary

2007-02-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

I am listening to the news about what is happening down in the southwestern border states and it is scary.
Today the news said that our National Guard soldiers are retreating from the armed Mexican durg smugglers. They say the armed mexicans have set up their own or are using our outposts, equipped with AK 47 rifles and sattelite phones, to watch the smuggling routes to make sure the drugs get through.
We have 2 border guards who are in jail for doing their jobs, and no one is doing anything about it.
How far can this go.
One Senator called all of the border state Sheriff's and asked them if we gave them the money to hire the help and to buy the weapons, how long it would take them to clean this situation up. They said in 2 weeks they could straighten out the mess we are in.
Is there no one in a leadership position who has the power to step up and say, "ok, enough is enough, do something". If not it is even more scary.
The next attack we have on the country may not be to blow up a building or a bus or or car. It may be to try to take over the country. Lets face it there are at least 20 million unwanted, illegal aliens here, that may be enough. It is really scary, please Mr. President, step up and put a stop to this.

Happy Birthday

2007-02-01T21:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Sandy

New Years Resolutions

2006-12-31T15:59:00.000-05:00

At this point I have but one resolution.
1 John 3:23 says , and this is his command: to believe in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us. We know it by the spirit he gave us.
I have for many years thought that if we would obey just one command, "to love one another", think of the problems that would go away in the world.

Stressful times.

2006-12-22T10:03:00.000-05:00

These are stressful times in the Town and Village of Corinth. As the Town Board tries to proceed with new zoning laws and local laws to try to keep Corinth a decent and pleasant place to live, the stress for everyone becomes intense.
As we attempt to pass the right law and to make it as unchallengable as possible, it is thought by some of the towns people that we are stalling, I am told.
Laws are written mostly by Attorneys, the board conveys to them what we want the law to be. We are under the protection of the Moratorium, which is a good thing, but not popular with many.
I fail to understand the unpopularity of the Moratorium extension, and I fail to understand why anyone would think the mistreatment of the board members by certain individuals would be a productive method of dealing with the situation.

The UN, a big question mark.

2006-09-21T15:21:00.000-04:00

I sit here wanting to write something about the UN and all that is going on there this week. I think of the UN as a problem solving organization, but the actions do not indicate they are acting in that role.
The first thing that comes to mind is the corruption, the oil for food and all of the money that was stolen, and who was involved in the stealing. The top people in that organization should not be involved in activities of that nature and still be in the top positions. Everything goes on just like nothing happened.
There are big questions in everyones mind whether or not we should even let Iran's President in the country, and many think he should be arrested the minute he steps on our soil. But he comes here and runs our country and its leaders down, and all goes on like nothing happened.
I was glad when Charlie Rangel put his feelings in blunt terms. "Don't come into our country and run down our president." He said we may have problems at times, and not agree, but don't take advantage of that and run down our president, we are offended. I feel the same way.
As far as Iran is concerned, I don't think we should arrest the president, because I don't think he should be in our country. He has threatened to do us harm.
But all goes on like nothing happened.
Like I said, I don't know what to think.

Walk a mile.

2006-09-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

I often think of the phrase, "walk a mile in a mans mocasins" before you judge him.
This normally refers to something we think could be bad or wrong.
I often think of it in another sense. I think of the price of gas and fuel oil and I think of the many seniors and low income people who really do not know whether or not they will be able to afford to heat their homes this winter. If I walked a mile in the mocasins of the CEO of an oil company, what would that mile be like. Would I feel bad, or would I feel arrogant, and say, because I can do this to people I am better than they are. Would I laugh or cry. Or would I genuinely just not care about those people
I heard once that some people had a chance to talk to the CEO of an oil company and they said they would like to band together and try to have an effect on the price of oil. He laughed and said you can't do it, and walked out of the room. That oil company made billions the next quarter.
How should I think about that, I guess I need to do what we do about a lot of other things, Pray about it.

It will never end, only get worse.

2006-09-10T16:08:00.000-04:00

We have been dealing with the high gas and oil prices for some time now. I cut out every bit of driving I can to save money, and I know "millions" of others are doing the same thing. With this reduction in sales, the oil companies are still making profits the average person cannot even fathom.
I know business is business and nothing else matters, but when I hear from family and friends in other states and gas there is only $2.20 a gallon, I cannot help but think...........
"Will it never end"

Wars and unity.

2006-08-03T11:51:00.000-04:00

I was born in 1937 so I remember some of World War 2, I remember that the job of the leaders in the country was to unify the country because that was the only way we could win.
I just watched Hillary Clinton question Rumsfeld and treat him as if he knew nothing and her attitude dripped of the feeling that she knew more and could do better. This is only because he is in the "other party"
The blunt fact that we are in World War 3 has not had its impact on so many. Do we not realize what it will mean if we do not win the war against terrorism. We have a large number of people out there who have only one goal in life, that is to kill every one of us. If we lose, women will not be able to look down their nose at men the way Hillary does, they will do as they are told and will not have the freedoms that Hillary enjoys.
There is much talk that Hillary will run for President, and some say she will win. I certainly hope she gives up her dividing goals and works to unify the country. We don't seem to realize that this is not a game. We all "must" win.

Are they rolling the dice?

2006-08-01T20:09:00.000-04:00

On July 3, 2006 The Post Star published an article discussing the levels being maintained in the Great Sacandaga Lake. The prime mission of the 29 mile lake is flood control, but how much flood control do we have if the lake is kept full most of the time. They said "a nearly full flood-control is equivalent to no reservoir at all."
During Summer, fall and winter, the district is supposed to drop the level to provide space for spring runoff. The low level target is 748 ft.
According to the article, since January 1 the level has never been lower than 763 feet., 15 feet above target. From May 1 to June 15 the level has exceeded 770 ft for 26 out of 46 days or more than one day out of every 2. Amazingly, during the dry spell in April, with the reservoir far above target, the Hudson River Black River Regulating District minimized discharges, sometimes shutting them totally down.
I was born in the 30's and the Sacandaga Dam was completed in the 30's, so during my many years of living in Corinth I never remember flooding happening in or near Corinth. I remember just recently being called out of a meeting at church to look into high water threatening a home, and when we finished to go home, I was told 9 N north would probably be flooded when we got up in the morning. I repeat the title of this article, "are they rolling the dice"
The levels and flows are on the internet, www.hrbrrd.com

The current crisis in Israel

2006-07-26T17:18:00.000-04:00

Each day I watch the tv to see what is going on in Israel and Lebanon, any time war is raging it keeps on edge. We are miles away, but we feel the pain of those involved.
Each night I set the sleep switch on my tv and the news goes on as I go to sleep. I have to feel that Hezbollah made a big mistake right at the start. Their puppeteer the Head of Iran, made the statement that he was going to wipe Israel right off the map. He threatened the life of Israel, did you ever see anyone fight harder than they do when they are fighting for their lives.
Israel says it is using only a fraction of its firepower, I think it will be a task to wipe them out.

I feel bad about some things.

2006-07-22T17:28:00.000-04:00

I have been on the town board for 8 years, I have never seen town board meetings like we have now. We often commented that we don't have the problems some other Boards have. We always had orderly meetings with out any outbursts or disorderly conduct. I feel bad that things are not good.
I am not pointing a finger at anyone because there are many people contributing to the situation so it will be a joint effort to stop it. It has been better the last few meetings, I hope and pray it will continue.

Are we losing our Heritage?

2006-06-20T15:56:00.000-04:00

There are many signs around saying "why should I press 1 for English, this is an English speaking nation" I have laughed at it, thinking it doesn't happen.
Today it happened to me. I called to activate a debit card and the voice said "for English press 1" and the voice went on in Spanish until I pressed 1.
Wow, are we losing our Heritage or what, you cannot help but think you are living in a Spanish speaking nation.
I think we should contact our representatives and tell them we speak English, and we want to continue to speak English.

A Moving and Rewarding Day.

2006-06-13T15:12:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, June 11th I went to Shanantaha Park in Malta and worked at the Viet Nam Moving Wall Veteran's Memorial. As I drove down the thoughts running through my head were, "why did I volunteer to do this, I doubt if I will enjoy this". I couldn't have been more wrong.
I worked on the wall, not at the tables where people went to find the location of the name they were looking for.
What a moving and rewarding 3 hours it was. The bond between soldiers on the battlefield is so strong that it carries on for many years, and the hell that they went through is etched in their minds for the rest of their lives. That war has been over for many years but the thoughts of the experiences the soldiers had on that battlefield and the grief they still carry for those they witnessed getting killed, is still so real that seeing that name on the wall brings out those feelings all over again.
My only regret is that I didn't think about the fact that I would be standing in the sun for 2 or 3 hours and I was very sunburned the next day. I am sure the little suffering I will do with my sunburn is a big nothing compared to what the soldiers went through in the jungles of Viet Nam.
My hat is off to the Viet Nam Veteran's.

Different Times

2006-05-14T08:51:00.000-04:00

Corinth has had years of good years. We had an industry here that was a part of the town for many years. We kind of took it for granted, and many of the things that came out of it. They were not all good, but not all bad either. I won't comment further on that, because I am in a very different position than most people.
Today that industry has left us, and I am sure never thinks of us, we are on our own. I heard some time ago that when they finish disposing of all of the assets they want no connection to Corinth at all. That is business.
The town board had many years of good years too. We had good people who had the interest of the town and its people as their primary goal. Everyone got along and the board functioned and did its job of governing. I used to be amazed that when we prepared a budget and had a budget hearing, no one would show up to speak for or against one single thing about the budget. Obviously they didn't feel they needed to.
Those days are over, every board meeting now has a crowd of people there to see what is happening and what we are doing. That is healthy, people should have an interest in their government. They all but tell us what to do and how to do it.
The board is experiencing different times too. We have new board members who are very bright and very aggressive. The atmosphere on the Board reflects different times.

The Handwriting on the Wall

2006-01-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

If you type "The Handwriting on the Wall" into google you get all kinds of items relating to all kinds of things where because of certain happenings in life, someone can sense what is going to happen. They can see the handwriting on the wall in a real life kind of way.
That happens to us many times in life but we don't think of it in those terms.
I often look at my life and the happenings in it, and try to read the handwriting on the wall. Sometimes it is as clear as can be and sometimes you have to specualate and use your memory and history in your life. I see clear Handwriting on the Wall concerning many things.

A Circus

2006-01-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

As I cleaned my house today I turned the TV on and watched the confirmation hearings of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court. I could not help but think I was watching a circus at times.
Senator Kennedy performs to the tune of his colleagues and tells of his dislike of the Judge and how many mistakes he has made. Senator Biden, he just performs, for the sake of performing.
I would hope that the majority of those present on that committee have a more mature attitude of the process they are participating in.
I know as others do that Judge Alito has a much better record and more integrity than some on the committee he is defending himself against.

The first post of 2006

2006-01-02T19:47:00.000-05:00

This is the first post of the new year. I am going to try to be more consistent in the new year. I would like to post on at least one of my blog sites every day, but it often doesn't happen.
I just purchased a new website so I will have that to update too, so who knows how bad the poor old blogsites will suffer.
I was reading the other day about new extensions for domain names, one was .name. So my new website will be www.aboutcharliebrown.name. The new extension is meant exclusively for "personal websites"
It will be a site about me, not the town or the village or history or anything, just about me. (oh how boring you say) I promise to make it as interesting as I can. People insist I should write a book, so my life must have something interesting in it.
Wednesday is the organizational meeting for the town, we get sworn in and set up the government for the coming year. That is always good. So lets hope there are 363 more posts in 2006, and have a Happy New Year.

I cannot understand it.

2005-12-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

I went to the town hall today to pick up my mail. My mailbox had a letter from an irate citizen talking about the town board bringing a trash plant or trash related business into the town.
It talked about the first Trash burning plant that did not succeed, and how we were going to have another "go" at it to try to bring another waste related business into the town.
I have written many times and promised the voters that I did not have anything to do with bringing American Ref-Fuel into the town. I did not travel to Delaware to look and tour a similar plant, I did travel to Chester Pa. to look at a plant as to the neighborhood it was in. It was in a terrible neighborhood and I made up my mind that the companies put them into neighborhoods who do not know of the risk, and do not have the power to stop them. From that point on I was not in favor of a trash burning plant.
I did vote to write a letter before we had any idea what American Ref-Fuel was, and we were dealing with the closing of IP and the need for jobs in the community. I also voted to recind the letter. The letter itself was not going to bring a Trash Plant into the town.
I have made my opinion known to the people who were then considering purchasing the IP property that we did not want NYC Garbage in the town. I felt it was my job to make that information known to anyone thinking of doing such a thing.
The property has now been purchased, and the town board does not know anymore about what is going to be done with the property than any citizen living in the town. We are trying at this point to meet with the new owners to discuss this subject. So far we have not been succesful.
I cannot understand why any person would think I would want to bring a Trash Plant into the town when I have been told outright that the people would not want it. I cannot understand why anyone would think I would try to do this secretly in a small town where everyone knows what is going on most of the time.
I cannot understand why anyone would think that in the middle of an election campaign I would go to a group of voters and promote a trash burning plant.
I continue to hear that it is a good possibility that the people who have purchased the IP property do not know themselves what they are going to do with it yet. I cannot understand why anyone would think I would know.
I cannot understand why when some people call me and tell me they want me to tell them something because they know I will not lie to them, that others would say I would "try to put something over on the town."

The Election is over

2005-11-29T18:25:00.000-05:00

Wow, elections are really hell. One person said today, "I don't know if I can handle another one or not". You can't help but feel that way. It seemed like every race all way around us had an unprecedented battle in their town.
The first guess would be because almost every office was challenged, none of that "unopposed" stuff this time. For many years many offices were unopposed, then all it takes is your own vote to elect you.
Of course another reason was a group of people made up their minds they were going to get their own candidate elected no matter what it took. It seemed that no rules applied, do or say what ever it takes to win.
They say the higher the office the harder it is to get elected, I must have had a practice run for State Senator.

What a week, bring on next week

2005-11-04T20:39:00.000-05:00

What a week this has been. I have so much on my plate right now, I do not need the pressure of an Election on top of it. And most of all I do not need every word I say put in the papers in a way I did not say it. The Pennysaver article was not even close to what was asked me, or even close to how I responded. The true reason for this was obvious at this point. The article said someone had called each candidate and published the responses to the questions. The questions I was asked were not the same ones published in the paper, and the answers I gave in the article were not the same as I gave over the phone. Everyone except the candidate the party favored looked really bad, and the candidate they favored looked really good. The Pennysaver is opening up doors it will be sorry for someday.
My name was mentioned in another paper so I had to write to the editor and clarify that subject, before the feeding frenzy started to discredit me.
Every subject is being misrepresented in this election, I just hope that the majority get out and vote and do not let this little minority rule the town. Silent Majority we need you Tuesday in the voting booth.

A tough day

2005-10-28T17:02:00.000-04:00

Today was a tough day. The Pennysaver came out this morning with 2 articles that were bold face lies. I 'm sure many people know they are lies, and will vote for me anyway. But there is also those who do not know me.
We are back to the days of the trash plant issue, and the same tactics are being used. I am being accused of speaking at the Senior Center and promoting a trash plant in Corinth. First of all I have never spoken at the Senior Center, and second the people who have purchased the IP property don't even know themselves what is going to happen down there. We are trying to set up a meeting with them but at this point we have not been successful. And last, I cannot believe anyone would believe that after the fiasco we went thru with American Ref-Fuel, that I would be speaking to anyone and promoting a trash plant when I am up for reelection.
I can assure everyone in Corinth that I am not promoting a trash plant. I am not well liked by the people who have purchased the IP property because I have been so adamant with them that the people in Corinth "do not" want NYC garbage in Corinth. I will continue to work for re-election and hope that those who have faith in me will talk to their friends and relatives and stand up for me.

Election Signs

2005-10-04T20:42:00.000-04:00

The election signs are getting numerous. They are all over the place, on every corner in the village and town. The rule is that you can only put signs on private property, public property is off limits because politics have to be neutral on public property. We all own it and you cannot force anothers point of view by using public property to do it.
As an Elected Official I have to live by the rules. Those rules apply to those who are not elected but trying to be, but they don't seem to feel they have to live by them, they feel they can do as they please and the laws don't matter.
We are either in for a real bad time if they get elected or we are all going to start breaking the rules and laws any time we want to. Does this sound like a good way to go?? I don't think so.
But of course signs are not votes, the one with the most signs doesn't necessarily win.

A busy time

2005-10-03T08:13:00.000-04:00

It is a busy time, life seems to speed up as time goes on. When we crossed over from the 1900's to 2000 I wondered in my mind as I am sure everyone else did, what it would bring to our lives.
It has brought change as I expected, it has brought lots of work, as I expected. It has brought many good things, and a few not so great things along with the good.
I have many "projects" on my plate. I have a piece of property I am trying to sell for an organization I belong to. much work there moving out of it. I just finished a major meeting for the town, and a convention that was totally on my plate. I have a campaign to run, which could take up every hour of every day until Nov. 8, if I had the time to spend. I have a great deal of work to do for the town, which I could spend every day if I had it to spend. I have jobs at home with winter coming. My car needs that last cleaning, my shrubs are way overdue for a triming, my garage door needs to be painted, the back porch needs painting and new carpet put down. I could paint every room in the house. I have 5 kids and 11 grandchildren that I love dearly and would love to spend time with. I have missed playing golf this year, and would love to spend some time doing that.
I am going to work even harder from now on, I will work harder to spend more time with my family, work harder for the town, the campaign, the jobs at home. I keep telling my kids, "I think I need to retire again, I think I did it wrong the first time".

I get upset

2005-09-25T19:10:00.000-04:00

As I read the paper and see things printed that are untrue about me, I get upset.
I think of the people telling the untruth, and how they are running for public office and are now misleading the people. What will it be when they get in office. Will we be able to believe anything they say.
Many issues that arose in the last term are all settled and we know who did what and who didn't. Don't let candidates mislead you into believing I did anything that was not in the interest of the people. I have many times said, "I am man enough to admit to whatever I did or did not do. I refuse to take the credit for something I did not do.

Somtimes I feel old

2005-09-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I feel like an old dog watching the young puppies rolling and tumbling around.
I have been on the town board for 2 terms and running for the third. I hear of things that are going on around the town, how some relationships exist that some think no one knows about. I hear of the major changes some of the "new guys" want to make.
I was in a meeting in NYC and there were 2 Attorneys from the Association of Towns just answering any questions that anyone wanted to ask. As I sat down a Town Councilman from another town stepped up to the microphone and said; "We have a Councilman in our town and he is running all over the town hall and giving everyone in every department orders and just upsetting the applecart in a big way". Does he have the right to do that?
The answer was; "When a person wins the election as a Councilman he wins just one thing. He wins the right to vote one of three ways on every issue that comes across the Board. He can vote Aye, Nay or Abstain. That is the only right he has.
The government was not carelessly thrown together, and it is too important to just tear apart to make someone think we are better than the next guy. Would you really want to put someone into office who would irrresponsibily tear apart all that took so many years to put in place. Everything that goes on and exists in the town government, does so for a reason. Let's stop and think before we make foolish changes in the way we do business.

It's here

2005-09-12T20:05:00.000-04:00

It's here, the Election is tomorrow. How time flies.
I have had one horrible week, I'm glad it is behind me. I look forward to a better one this week.
Because of 2 family emergencies and a close friend having a medical emergency, I have not campaigned as I should have. No fault of my own. I will have to hope that I have properly worked at the job of Councilman and that people know I have worked hard and will trust me to do it again. I have always said I am one of a few honest politicians. That sounds like I am not speaking well of my colleagues, but that is not the case. Just in the nation as a whole politicians are looked at as dishonest. I hope the people of Corinth think differently of me. I will not campaign any more, I am sure most people have made up their minds, and know how they will vote. I will work hard to do the job of Councilman as I have in the past. You have my word.

Scary

2005-08-18T14:18:00.000-04:00

I keep hearing about the rising gas prices. Along with that is the rising cost of homes, cars, food, clothes, vacations, all of the necessities of life and most of the luxuries. I wondeer where it will all end up.
Now we are hearing of the takeover and reduction of pension plans, which we know is nothing but corruption. The heads of corporations are going to steal the pension funds, that has been known for some time, but we as average Americans have no alternative but to go along with it.
Or do we, write to your congressperson and tell him or her how you feel. Tell them the government should at least try to do something about all of the unfair things going on in the country.
He will listen to you, and if you go high enough in large enough numbers you will get some results.
I am writing a letter today.

Drawing near

2005-08-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the 13th of August, one month from the Primary Election. Those of us who are candidates for office have to feel the pressure. The lawn signs will begin to go out, knocking on doors will be an everyday thing, mailing, handing out brochures, business cards, and talking to people everywhere we go will be the order of the day.
Watch my websites and this blogsite for anything new, interesting or different.

Simple solutions

2005-08-10T06:48:00.000-04:00

I probably was the same way, although I had a year on the Town Board before I had to run for election. I chuckle as I see the simple solutions that those who are running for a seat on a town board have for the problems in the town.
The problems of taxes and terrorism and highways and records management etc. are not simple. If they were things would be different. It takes a lot of thought, sweat, sleepless nights and just plain hard work to solve problems of the magnitude that are addressed by elected officials. Nothing is easy, especially public service.
I talked to my son one day about my love for electronics and how I enjoyed going to school and studying it. But when I had major responsibility on my shoulders and a breakdown at work, with a formen of the paper machine shouting at me to "get it fixed", it wasn't as much fun.
Public service is not a fun job either, the problems are big, and some times the options are few.
May the best person win.

Feeling guilty again

2005-08-06T16:55:00.000-04:00

Here I am, feeling guilty again My son Duane is in Pa. on his way home from the Alaskan Cruise. He used his brothers computer to create his new blogsite. I urge the family to have a blogsite, and include it in with the rest of the family on my website, but I don't update my own enough. I know they are all busy, as I am. I will attempt to update mine every day from now on.
I have to remember I have 2 websites and 2 blog sites to update. Maybe I can stop feeling guilty then.
Right now I am going to the Corinth Fun Days, and have a BBQ dinner and watch the fireworks.
Have a good day. Duane welcome to the family blogsite group on the website.

A new view of the subject

2005-07-28T08:27:00.000-04:00

I was having my devotions this morning and reading in the book of Exodus. Chapter 25 is God's instructions on how to build the Ark of the Covenant
Make it of the finest Acacia wood, overlay it with pure gold, inside and out. Cast 4 rings of pure gold, put 2 cherubims on the top, made of pure gold. The table, and lampstand made in one piece of pure gold, plates and dishes and 7 lamps made of pure gold. In this he instructed them to put the Stone Tablets containing his Covenant.
This Covenant is the 10 commandments. How important God thought these 10 commandments were that they should be placed in such a special compartment.
God help us to place them in a special place and to consider them as important as he does.

Unusual day

2005-07-27T12:31:00.000-04:00

Today is an unusual day, I am free to work all day long and catch up some of the jobs I sometimes put off, procrastinate I guess is the word.
I had my car inspected, went to the Senior Center to sign a check since I am Treasurer, Went to visit a friend who was leaving for the day. Came home and updated my website to include the minutes of the Emergency Management Committee, which I chair. I also included some pictures of the committee at work.
I moped my floors, watered my lawn, had lunch, went to the market to get it first.
The rest of my day will include working on a drill for the emergency services, working to update our Alert System, our sirens are obsolete and we need to apply for a Homeland Security Grant to install new ones. I have much work to do to accomplish that, and only with the help of many other people.
The day will end with a trip to Glens Falls to take a friend home, and dinner with a close friend of mine.
What a great and unusual day.

Today's update

2005-07-26T08:02:00.000-04:00

I continually talk to my kids about updating their blogsite, which I list on my website. With all of my nudging, I seem to be the one who is the most slack. Today I will update and try to do this every day. Maybe I won't feel guilty anymore.
I am near a Primary Election in September, even though it is almost 2 months away, it will go fast. There is much to do. I look at the brochures and cards I have to make, the pens and stickers I have to buy, the number of articles I have to write on my sites. The number of people I have to talk to and the number of doors I have to knock on. It is much work.
I continually think of the "most important" things I have to do.
I have narrowed it down in my mind to 3 things. Keeping he cost of government down, and in doing that keeping taxes in check. Public safety, which should be on the mind of every person in public service. And last but not least, communicating with those who put us in office about what is going on in "their" government. This is important in both of the other subjects.

Campaign Time

2005-07-04T13:32:00.000-04:00

Campaign time is here, I hear stories of people walking the streets of downtown running down the members of the Town Board. That is the accepted way today of making people want you for a board member instead of the one who is now on the board.
I hesitate to go into the Liquor Store where so many people gather to talk about the news of the town, I hear that as a member of the town board I am being verbally assaulted there, and am uncomfortable going in wondering what those in the store are saying about me.
I am beginning to work on a campaign, I will create a new website, www.aboutcharliebrown.org, I will create brochures to get my picture in front of the residents of Corinth, I will place election signs on the lawns of people who are willing to support me.
I would hope my greatest asset would be the job I have done for the last 3 1/2 years. That is what I am asking the voters of Corinth to look at and to judge me with. I do not plan on attempting to change the mind of anyone, I do not wish to create some fictional character that never existed before. I am the man who has been on the Corinth Town Board for 2 terms, who did what he thought was best for the residents of Corinth, and am the person who you know will be there and will be interested in the every day functioning of the Government of Corinth.
I ask for your support for another term on the Board, and base my request on the job I have already done for you. I go to the town hall every day, have for the 2 terms I have served, I keep abreast of what is going on in the town government, and I attend all meeting except the very few times I am out of town visiting family.

Bring back the country doctor

2005-06-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

I belong to an organization that once gave an award to Dr. Pitkin for his many years of service to Corinth. Chet Walker got up and said that the only thing that Dr. Pitkin wanted to be was a country doctor who served the people.
I am experiencing an allergic reaction right now, and it would really make me feel better if I could just sit down and talk to my doctor to get his opinion on the matter. I feel like the system shields me from my doctor. If I make an appointment it takes a week or more to see him, if I just walk in I may wait 3 or 4 hours, and then talk to a doctor who has no idea what the history is, so that is not comforting.
My doctor is great, I like him a lot, but it is hard not to feel that the system he is forced to work in keeps me from him. The system is over crowded, and Glens Falls Hospital has a system in place which takes into consideration 2 things. The most people possible worked into the system and the most money coming into the coffers of the hospital. Sometimes this is not the best thing for the person suffering and needing to just talk to his doctor.
Bring back the country doctor.

My Campaign

2005-06-15T16:28:00.000-04:00

I heard today that someone was hitting the pavement to campaign for a seat on the Town Board. I suspect before September many people will wear out their shoes and create callous's on their knuckles knocking on doors.
I will be doing that too. I must knock on doors, ask people to sign my petition, and wear out my shoes walking around talking to voters asking them for their support. All of this is important, it is not wise to take an election for granted.
But I also have another task, I need to ask people to look at the way I conducted myself as a Councilman. Did I attend the meetings, was I interested in the business of the town and the desires of the people? I think I get a good mark on both of those, so I will ask the voters by email, blogspot, website and looking them in the eye, to support me in the Primay Election in September and the General Election in November.

The Long Campaign

2005-05-27T21:17:00.000-04:00

I had reason tonight to be at a service and when it was over I ran into Roy Akins, one of the Mayoral Candidates in Glens Falls. I have had reason in the past to know Roy so as I shook his hand I said "How is the campaign going" He said, "going good, it is an every day thing, just keep plugging."
Campaigns are like that, if your are an incumbent the campaign starts the day after you are elected, and continues until the next election. Every day means, every day from one election to the other. The trust given you as an elected official is so great it is humbling, it must be addressed every day in order to feel like you are living up to your trust.
I hope Roy gets elected, he will make a great mayor, and he will find out that he will begin the next campaign one day after his election, and he will keep plugging until he gets elected again.

Early hours

2005-04-23T03:56:00.000-04:00

It is 4 am, it is one of those nights where you wake up and something is bothering you so you can't get back to sleep.
I decided to get up and work on some of the things that were able to dominate my mind and drive the sleep away. I sent out an email to notify some people of a meeting that I haven't had the time to send out until now.
It is raining, as I look out the window, I think of how fortunate we are to have the quiet neighborhood that we have. No cars are going by, no one walking on the street, just the quiet of the night. Fox News is showing the same programs that put me to sleep last night.
When I get back in bed, I will have to pray myself to sleep and get my mind off those things that keep forcing their way into my mind. Sleep will come soon, and so will morning.

Frustration

2005-04-15T19:50:00.000-04:00

I was taking to my Son the other day, and we were talking about the value of character in leadership. I told him the higher you go the more important character becomes, and how quickly the lack of it will show itself in a high position.
I am beginning to adapt after working for 40 years for a company who demanded that you dismiss any character issues if they got in the way of your job, and rewarding those who displayed the greatest lack of character.
The knife in the back and the lie to get what you want, I have experienced it so much that I just look the other way. But for those who do these things and believe they are smarter and wiser and better than those who don't is something I will never adapt to.
God help me to never be like that.

The Railroad

2005-04-09T08:30:00.000-04:00

It is now public knowledge that we bought a railroad this week. The town purchased the Rail Line from Antone Mountain to just north of the Saratoga Rail Station. Much work went into this venture, by the attorney's and by SEDC.
I do not believe the town should be investing in such things, but under the circumstances I believe we did the right thing. It was paid for by Grants, and more money is available to upgrade the line to a Class 2 status.
Certainly the Scenic Railway could have a great impact on the regions economy when the line gets active between Saratoga and Gore Mountain. This can now happen because of our vote this week.

A great man died this weekend.

2005-03-28T19:59:00.000-05:00

A great man died this weekend. Bill Doherty of Corinth passed away on Saturday. He will be missed by many people. He was the Chief of Police in Corinth for 22 years and in that time had a great impact on many lives. I know few people who have influenced as many lives in a positive way. Bill, we will sorely miss you.

Will Spring ever get here?

2005-03-28T19:52:00.000-05:00

At this time of the year, we are so sick of the snow and cold, it really irks a person to get up in the morning and see the snow. We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and really want this winter to end.
As Don Coyote said today, I have put my snow shovel away, if it snows again I'll clear the sidewalk with my 5 iron. I agree with that.