The LEADER OPINION MONDAY | JANUARY 9 | 2012 | PAGE 4A Obama ARTIST’S VIEW Grins and biggest groans winner owa is not the deciding Grin factor. But it probably I should have thinned In today’s economy we’re all having to do the ranks of Republicans without – the Steuben County Sheriff’s Dept. is wanting to become president no exception. A canine officer would be a great far more than it did. help in taking a bite out of crime, but there isn’t The only enough money in Sheriff Joel Ordway’s budget THE INSIDER initial to pay for a police dog. dropout However, a generous donation was Texas from the Bath Revitalization Group Governor has brought Ordway closer to getting Rick Perry his wish. The group recently present- and he did- n’t really ed Ordway with a check of more fold his than $5,000. tent. With the donation, Ordway is optimistic he Perry will be able to have a canine on staff by spring. Bob Rolfe said he was The sheriff has a lot of thank-you notes to suspending write: The Steuben County Veterans Memorial his campaign and going back Inc., Bath Kiwanis, Hornell IOOF Lodge, the to Texas to reconsider the Knights of Columbus and the Steuben Trust future of his candidacy. Company of Hornell were some of the groups Unfortunately, the next day, donating to the canine cause, as did a young he changed his mind and girl who chipped in her Christmas money. came back. It’s great to see the community play an impor- The one who should have tant part in keeping us all safe. dropped out on the spot was Michele Bachman. Instead she waited one day and Grin finally ran up the white flag. If you’re looking for fun and excitement this Her last-place finish Tuesday winter, you won’t have to travel far. should have come as no sur- prise to anyone since she Like to go to the theater? Check out the tour- never really was a serious ing Broadway shows on the Clemens Center contender. schedule. “In the Heights,” “South Pacific,” and The next one who should “Young Frankenstein” are all set to take the go is Jon Huntsman, based stage. on the Iowa results and the The Elmira Little Theatre is busy too, with POLITICS | SEN. TOM O’MARA fact that his campaign never “Romeo and Juliet” and “Golden Age of Radio” seems to have caught fire. just a few of its planned productions for 2012. But for the moment, he’s still If sports are more your game, the Jackals, there and seems guaranteed Harlem Globetrotters and X-Treme What do you think? to record last-place finishes as Ice Racing highlight First Arena’s long as he stays in the race. schedule. The results at the top of If you need a laugh, Howie hen New York year state spending pinpoint the right places the list show an entirely dif- Mandel will be in Elmira in Gov. Andrew decrease in more than a to place ou priorities this ferent picture, however. Mitt February. There’s plenty of music, WCuomo decade. Property tax cap. year. Romney was the alleged win- too, thanks to the Corning-Painted Post Civic offered up his second Ethics reform. So where, exactly, do we ner, topping Rick Santorum Music Association, the Orchestra of the State of the State message A new Spending and go from here? There are by eight votes. Southern Finger Lakes and the Valley Folk in Albany’s Convention Government Efficiency more than a few ideas That result even in little Concert Series. Center last week and offi- (SAGE) Commission that already on the table. For Iowa is so close as to actually The Corning Museum of Glass will heat things cially kicked off the remains at work on the example, mandate relief constitute a tie. Both men up at its popular 2300 Degrees event. Legislature’s 235th annu- first major overhaul of the remains crucial to the suc- took 25 percent of the vote And, of course, the ice rink at the Nasser Civic al session, the staging state bureaucracy since cessful implementation of total, leaving next place to Texas Congressman Ron Paul. Center is a great place for families to get moving immediately delivered the the 1920s. the property tax cap. for an hour or two. unmistakable spirit of the All of the above Paul should be the candi- Governor Cuomo jus date happiest at the Iowa As we settle into a long winter, it’s great to day and the title of this actions, and many others, spelled out a comprehen- were collectively wel- results because his hard work know there’s plenty of local events to get us up year’s address, “Building a sive legislative blueprint New NY…with you.” comed by a variety of the paid off in a very big show off the couch. Stay tuned for previews of all of for the Empire State in of support, especially among Last week’s reaffirma- people’s representatives – these events and more in The Leader. this new year (which, for young voters. tion of one of our gov- good government, busi- anyone interested, can Paul is not a regular ernment’s key traditions ness, environmental and watched and read on Republican in any sense of Grin marked only the second other advocacy groups www.governor.ny.gov). the word. He is an avowed When it comes to drilling in the Marcellus time throughout most of and government watch- Libertarian and makes no the past century that the dogs, to name just a few – But at the outset I’d also Shale region, New Yorkers aren’t shy about like to encourage all of bones about his philosophi- speaking their minds on the controversial issue. speech wasn’t delivered as one of the most mean- cal position. you to share your own As of Thursday, more than 18,000 have in the State Assembly ingful and productive leg- In a race in which Conser- thoughts. One way to do weighed in during the commenting Chamber, a move this islative sessions in long, vative Republican orthodoxy period for the DEC’s proposed governor first made last long time. In other this is through a new seemed to be the most hydrofracturing regulations. It’s the year to allow for greater words, many people Legislative Questionnaire sought-after virtue, Paul’s most comments the DEC has ever public attendance. Agree believed we dug into more that I’ve recently sent out finish was extraordinary. received on such a set of environmen- or disagree (and there are than a few of the right and will post online at His vote total was far more tal rules. always critics), it’s sym- places last year and then www.omara.nysenate.gov. impressive than the tally of The DEC will put the comments into categories bolic yet again of what’s stood firm in our determi- This 2012 Questionnaire either Romney or the former and then issue a response to each category. That clearly been the driving nation to produce some includes questions on th Pennsylvania senator, given means your comments are actually being read by hope behind this chief long-overdue successes. continuing and deep-root- the vast difference between those in control of hydrofracturing in the state. executive’s style of leader- None of this is to say, ed economic and fiscal his position and theirs. The rules, which the DEC said will be the ship so far, which he however, that it’s time sit challenges facing the state So who was anointed Top most stringent in the country, will likely pave expressed this year this and rest in the shade of as a whole, as well as on Dog now that it’s over? the way for the state allowing drilling permits to way in continuing to call past achievements. Far some of the other key Romney considered from be issued. up a new era in New York from it. In fact we’ve concerns facing the day one to be the favorite It’s easy to believe your opinions have little government, “We put the more than got our work Southern Tier and Finger only received one quarter of the total vote. The same goes sway over what goes on in Albany, but for once, politics aside and put the cut out for us to match Lakes regions – including for Santorum. they are asking what you think. If you haven’t people first. And it last year’s accomplish- mandate relief, ongoing Those aren’t the numbers done so, let them know. Do it soon, because the worked. And we worked. ments. But it helps to Medicaid reform, job cre- make the point that to scare off President Barack deadline to comment is Wednesday. We delivered for the peo- ation, infrastructure devel- Visit www.dec.ny.gov. ple – and we made this “standing firm” might be Obama. opment, and the future of state a better state and I as good a guidepost as any He must be the only one the Marcellus Shale natu- was honored be a part of other for the legislative whose smile exceeds that of Groan it with you.” session that’s now under- ral gas industry. Obviously Ron Paul. With these words in way. Will we stand firm a short questionnaire can’t We welcome comments to stories we post on possibly address every sin- www.the-leader.com. However, fighting amongst mind, t hen, let’s first on taxes, on controlling ••• gle issue, but your voices yourselves, personal attacks and off- recall some of 2011’s hall- state spending, on the should be heard on these topic posts are forcing us to review marks: A rare, as far as need for even more A book about which I had our policy on allowing responses. recent history goes, on- aggressive economic and other challenges. no advance knowledge came We will make our decision soon and time state budget, as well development, on more That’s the very best my way at Christmas and I let you know. as a budget that contained efficient, effective and way to begin a new leg- recommend it to any history no new or increased state cooperative government? islative year. buff. CIRCULATION taxes or fees. A middle- I hope so. Put it this way: “Destiny of the Republic” The LEADER class tax cut at the end of the crowning achieve- ■ Tom O’Mara is a state Elmer Kuehner | Circulation director is the title of the book. It is The Leader (ISSN #10501983) 936-4651, Ext. 320 the year. The first year-to- ments of 2011 continue to senator from Big Flats. subtitled “A Tale of Madness, The Leader is published daily at Medicine, and the Murder of 34 West Pulteney Street, EDITORIAL a President.” Author Candice Corning, New York 14830 Millard tells of the death of by Liberty Group Corning Holdings, Inc. Stella DuPree | Managing editor Contact your representatives Periodical postage paid 936-4651, Ext. 361 America’s shortest serving at Corning, New York 14830-0817. [email protected] president, James A. Garfield, USPS code | 0586-160 and the medical mistakes Postmaster: Send address changes to ADVERTISING that led to his death. The Leader, West Pulteney Street, Charles Guiteau pulled the Classifieds (607) 936-4651, Ext 651 Corning, New York 14830 Retail (607) 936-4651, Ext 653 trigger but it was medical Publisher: Fred Benson Adv fax (607) 962-0782 ignorance that killed the

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