5:23 p.m. Wednesday
The phone rings in my office with a bleep, bleep. That means an outside call is coming directly in. Most of the front office was gone so they come through.
I pick up.
“Hello, this is John McIntyre”
“Where is my Damn paper,” a scruffy sounding female voice bellows out.
“I am not sure. What does it look like?”
A long pause.
“I am Mrs. M (shortened by me) and I usually get my paper on Wednesday and It didn’t come.”
“You must live in Delmar Mrs. M. We had a problem at the post office last night, but everything is fixed and you will have it tomorrow.”
A long pause.
“I wanted it today, it is Wednesday.”
“Would you like me to drop one off to you on my way home Mrs...
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 Oct 07 A special day at the officemcintyrej, Ink and Bytes CATEGORY: General Society
TAGS: bethlehem NY spotlight Newspapers delmar Jan 22 Town Board Get a Grademcintyrej, Ink and Bytes
Have you noticed?(I was going to say lately, but it has happened so many times)
What is going on with local governments? It is bad enough that we have so many places to send our tax checks in New York, but now it is like pulling teeth to get information about where the money is going. Case in point. Bethlehem - organizational meeting for 2009. In past years, each proposed appointment would have a salary next to it so everyone would know who the appointment was and how much they would be paid. Not this year. The town moved to a grading system. Did you know that the Deputy Commissioner of Public Works is a grade 26 and a Chief Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator is a Grade 23 while an Administrative Aide is a Grade 10... Continue Reading CATEGORY: Government
TAGS: Bethlehem, town board, organizational meeting, salary, grades Jul 16 Let it OUTmcintyrej, Ink and Bytes
Something has changed on Spotlightnews.com.
It seems that all of you have found a forum for your comments. Teachers in Guilderland, New Laws in Bethlehem and anything related to government in Colonie are the hot topics at Spotlightnews.com. We welcome your comments and debates. A community portal needs to provide space for YOUR voice, not just ours. New sites are popping up everywhere for you to comment, but we provide it at home. To comment just click the link on the bottom of any of our postings including blogs. To see what a real community portal can provide see the latest from Guilderland here: http://spotlightnews.com/247/article.php?article_id=tB1216044208t487b5cb0aae76 Thank you for your comments... Continue Reading CATEGORY: News & Media
TAGS: comments guilderland bethlehem colonie spotlightnews.com Jun 02 The Definition of Communtymcintyrej, Ink and Bytes
Have you ever looked for a definition of a community event?
We have some great ones here. They do not have fancy name, at least not that often, but they are worth a lot in our hometown. These are the events that more people march or take part in, than actually line the street to watch. These are not money-making events with celebrity participants. Heck no. It is about you. Think about it. Where can you see all your neighbors in one place. Not Walmart, Not the local Home Depot they are too big and not always in town. The old General Store/Post Office disappeared long ago and very few events draw out most of the town... Continue Reading CATEGORY: General Society
TAGS: Burnt Hills, Charlton, Niskaday, Delmar Dash, Flag Day, Founder's Day, Community May 21 The next big solution to Sex Offendersmcintyrej, Ink and Bytes
I don't know about you, but I think this Sex Offender stuff is really getting stupid.
Last week we have new legislation that forces convicted and listed offenders to turn over their screen names and email addresses to authorities to reduce the risk to our children. Sounds great for a press release or a re-election slogan. "I stopped the offenders from reaching your children and you should vote for me." Ask Ed Kosiur how that worked out. The wanted-to-be-assemblyman sponsored another bit of useless legislation in Schenectady County which was to limit Sex Offenders from living within 2000 feet of where children frequent (schools, parks, etc.) The problem was that you can't live in many places in Schenectady County outside that scope... Continue Reading CATEGORY: Government
TAGS: Sex Offenders law New York State May 08 Missing the Mayormcintyrej, Ink and Bytes
“Ok Joe, you need to help me with this,” he said referring to my youngest son Joseph,8.
“Really,” Joseph perked up from the chair he was slouching in. “Yeah you. What, did you think that I would let your father help me do this? No way, he’ll just screw it up,” he replied to Joseph and shot me a wink. Joseph bounced to attention and grabbed the cordless drill. Through careful coaching Mitch and Joseph put together the box, screw by screw, until it was whole. I just helped a bit with steadying the cordless drill...  CATEGORY: General Society
TAGS: Draina Mayor May 01 The Big DUHmcintyrej, Ink and Bytes
Ok someone in government is brilliant.
Not because we now know we can save taxpayer money by combining services, consolidating taxing districts or just plain eliminating entire local governments altogether, but rather the fact that someone in government said it. Gov. Patterson says it will save a billion or two by having less than 10,000 governmental bodies we have in this state. DUH. Brief History Moment: Subject - New York In the New England states, local governmental entities are controlled by town form of government. No separate School taxes. No Villages. No Counties (except for sheriff for serving warrants). Water systems, Sewer, and Libraries are all part of the Town. The States fund education... Continue Reading CATEGORY: Government
TAGS: New York State Government Consolidation  |
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