A blog about politics, business, faith and life in and around Greater Binghamton, NY
By Jim Willis on May 22, 2008 in Government & Politics, Mayor Matt Ryan | 0 Comments
It seems you get a right to free speech everywhere in Greater Binghamton except inside Binghamton City Hall. Mayor Matt Ryan instituted a new “rule” when he took office more than two years ago that no one noticed until Ryan started enforcing it…THIS WEEK. The rule? No cameras or recording devices allowed unless “Simon says” [...]
By Jim Willis on May 21, 2008 in Energy, Government & Politics | 2 Comments
The New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI) power line is a proposed high voltage line that would run about 200 miles from Oneida County in Upstate New York to Orange County in Downstate (running through Broome County). Folks around these parts are mostly opposed to this monstrosity because it won’t economically benefit the people whose land [...]
By Jim Willis on May 20, 2008 in City Council, Government & Politics, Mayor Matt Ryan, Taxes & Spending | 4 Comments
Mayor Matt Ryan and the Citizen Action Council (formerly known as the Binghamton City Council) are backpedaling, at least for appearances, on their scheme to raise property taxes of city landlords by 80%. The landlords are not taking it sitting down–good for them! Yesterday, a group of 25 landlords got in the good mayor’s face [...]
By Jim Willis on May 19, 2008 in Education, Government & Politics, Taxes & Spending | 2 Comments
One of the biggest threats to the economic future of our state and our country are teachers’ unions. Let’s just be honest about this, shall we? The unions are responsible for continually draining money out of your pockets. Some of that money goes to teachers, and I certainly don’t begrudge them a pay increase here [...]
By Jim Willis on May 19, 2008 in Business, Energy, Government & Politics | 1 Comment
Iberdrola is a Spanish company looking to buy out Energy East, parent of New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), our local electric monopoly. I’ve written about my opposition to this purchase before:
NYSEG Covers Up Alternative Bids in Favor of Spanish Company Takeover
Sale of NYSEG to Spanish Company Iberdrola Hits Big Roadblock
NYSEG Selling Out to [...]