Opinion

Veteran’s Day is a time we honor our veterans and thank them for their service. We pause to reflect on their lives and appreciate how their sacrifices keep us safe and protect our country and our freedoms. I’ve always believed that New York State should do more for our veterans. We can’t rely solely on […]

Being a father and now a grandparent, I’ve learned that kids just don’t fit into molds. So why should their education? Kids learn in a number of different ways, and teachers know how to teach to these different learning styles. Common Core is threatening to break apart the productive relationship our children have with their

Dear people of New York City: We do not understand. Some of us who live Upstate. We do not understand. Wait. Let me put that into Big Apple lingo: What??? Are youse nuts or sumpin’? I refer to your upcoming election. You are going to elect a new mayor who is so liberal Fidel could

It was an exciting week in our community, as we collectively celebrated the groundbreaking of what will be a transformative and historic endeavor. On Thursday, Oct. 24, I joined Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) President Barbara Risser, Senator Mike Nozzolio, and other community leaders to launch the construction of the Finger Lakes Viticulture Center in

Late in the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 16, President Barack Obama signed legislation to re-open the federal government, which had been partially shut for 16 days. The political drama captured the attention of the media, which was consumed by the tactical struggle and the question of who won and who lost. The real story occurred

Here is a piece of corruption that is all too common among politicians.  The guy who is about to be elected the next mayor of the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio, was formerly a Brooklyn city councilman. Sometime around 2005, his wife, Chirlane McCray, was looking for a job. So, he introduced her to the

This summer, the Tax Foundation released a map showing the combined local, state, and federal cell-phone tax rates. The map showed, not surprisingly, that New York residents pay the third-highest rate of taxes and fees on wireless service in the country. Our state and local rate is 17.85 percent. When those taxes are combined with

What do you think? Any hint of corruption here? First, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo makes gambling a major plank in his plans for the state economy. He wants another seven big casinos. Several of them will be located Upstate. This despite the unsavory aspects of casinos. Lots of studies in lots of states tell

What’s in a name? According to Will Shakespeare, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Some call it New York State Assembly Bill 8086. Others call it the New York Casino Gaming Amendment. Most call it Proposition One. The amendment to the state constitution will appear on the

A few lines from a song capture New York state’s dilemma. From the musical named “1776”: “Does anybody care? Is anybody there?” The state has declined for years. Especially Upstate. You know that. Your dog knows that. Our population declines. We are aging faster than any other state. Why? Our young people abandon the state.