Daybreak Update 9/1/2009

Tomorrow the big Johnson City dissolution public hearing is scheduled to happen. It's a topic that brings out strong emotions. And, before you go you can look at responses from the dissolution committee to questions at the first hearing. A group of residents spear-headed the move to have voters decide whether the village should be dissolved into the Town of Union, because they say taxes need to be contained more than what they have been. However, dissolution opponents aren't convinced about savings and say it's better to pay a little more but still have the same level of service, especially in the fire and police departments. Carol Liscowski is concerned people will vote for dissolution just to limit the fire department, especially after the board approved that lucrative 5 year contract. Carol Liscowski says, That can't be the only reason to vote for dissolution. There has to be...my suggestion is to not vote for dissolution if that's the only reason why you're voting because of what its going to do to the fire department. We have to worry about what it's going to do to other services like the police and public works. The dissolution public hearing with the village board will be tomorrow at 7 p-m at the Johnson City High School on Reynolds Road. To read responses log onto www.cgr.org/johnson city. Or you can pick up a copy at the village clerk's office. The Southern Tier Home Builder's and Remodelers Association says Congress needs to be extend the 8-thousand dollar first time home buyer tax credit program. It's slated to expire December 1st. The association says the government's Cash for Clunkers program has received a lot of attention. But, says the best way to help the economy is through the credit. The association says on average first time home buyers spend more than ten-thousand dollars on appliances and other upgrades for their homes. It also estimates a program extension could result in hundreds of thousands of homes being sold across the country. Next August, any construction of state buildings or extensive renovations will have to meet new state green building standards. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo authored the legislation,which is designed to lower energy costs, improve indoor air quality, give better water efficiency, and curb the production of greenhouse gases. The Office of General Services will oversee the regulations instead of the D-E-C. Buildings that could be affected around here are the Castle on the Greater Binghamton Health Center's Campus that SUNY Upstate Medical plans to renovate. And, new buildings on Binghamton University's campus. The Broome County Sheriff's Office says one of its inmates got himself into more trouble after making a wick by hand and then lighting it in his cell. 31 year-old Sharif Douglas of Liberty Street in Binghamton is now facing an arson charge in addition to the parole violation and weapons charges he was being held on. Having any kind of flame in the jail is not acceptable because of the risk a fire could spread.

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