James Barr III
In a letter published in the Oneonta Star on 2/3/10, James Barr of Hobart wrote: “This past October, the village of Hobart encountered a problem with the Maple Avenue bridge. I was advised to contact State Sen. John Bonacic and Congressman Scott Murphy for information. It took one phone call to Sen. Bonacic's office to receive a response, and his office continues to be very helpful. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for our congressman, Scott Murphy.
“I personally contacted Murphy's office in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Clifton Park and Washington, D.C., a total of 17 times, along with two e-mails through his website.
“As of Jan. 22, I still had not received a return call. Recently, when Scott Murphy took the time to campaign in Stamford, he was asked about all the phone calls that were made to his office and went ignored. He replied, “I’m not sure what happened, but give me the telephone number and I’ll make sure he gets a call first thing tomorrow morning.” Here we are weeks later and still no contact made.
“According to my research, a congressman’s base salary as of 2009 was $174,000 a year without travel expenses, etc. I know if that were me, I would do everything I could to make sure everyone who contacted my office had the courtesy of a reply. Apparently, Scott Murphy doesn’t really care about this area. He just cared when he was looking for votes. I hope you’ll think twice next election!”
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James Barr claims, that he was advised to contact Congressman Scott Murphy concerning a problem with the Maple Street bridge in Hobart. Who gave, that advise and what kind of information is he seeking? Since, State Senator John Bonacic office has been very helpful providing “information,” he has found a solution to his problem.
Members of Congress shouldn’t allow themselves to be distracted by those with political agendas or issues, that are the responsibility of a village, town, county or state government. Contacting Rep. Murphy’s office 19 times demonstrates, that Barr is harassing Murphy’s staff. Perhaps, Barr’s political agenda from the very beginning was to write the Oneonta Star and tell readers: “Scott Murphy doesn’t really care about this area.”
Some are claiming, that our Democratic representatives in Congress don’t really care about the people in Delaware County, but the facts prove otherwise.
Congressional Democrats made that clear a year ago, when they passed the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, that provided help to millions of Americans throughout this country. Although, Congressman Scott Murphy was not yet in Congress to vote, he did support the legislation because it address the economic challenges facing upstate New York.
The Recovery Act was passed without the vote of a single House Republican and only 3 Republican Senators (only 2 now). The bill, include $27 billion for highway and bridge construction projects. The person in charge of deciding which transportation projects would receive funding is Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who is a former Republican Congressman.
Recovery Act legislation extended or increased unemployment benefits for more than 18 million Americans. It made health insurance 65 percent cheaper for families who get their coverage through COBRA, and passed 25 different tax cuts. There are million Americans working today, who would otherwise be unemployed. Two hundred thousand are working in construction and clean energy. Three hundred thousand are teachers and other education workers. Tens of thousands are cops, firefighters, correctional officers, and first responders, who remain employed.
The Recovery Act included $86.6 billion for Medicaid, $100 million for meals programs for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels, $100 million for free school lunch programs, $1.3 billion for medical care for service members and military families, $1 billion for the Veterans Health Administration, $44.5 billion in aid to local school districts to prevent layoffs and cutbacks, $2.1 billion for Head Start, $19.9 billion for the Food Stamp Program, $14.2 billion to give one-time $250 payments to Social Security recipients, and veterans receiving disability and pensions, $3.95 billion for job training, $500 million for vocational training for the disabled, $120 million for subsidized community service jobs for older Americans, and much more.
I suspect, that these services are being used by more than a few residents of Delaware County. It’s important to remember, that except for 3 Republican Senators every Republican member of Congress voted “NO.”
“I personally contacted Murphy's office in Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Clifton Park and Washington, D.C., a total of 17 times, along with two e-mails through his website.
“As of Jan. 22, I still had not received a return call. Recently, when Scott Murphy took the time to campaign in Stamford, he was asked about all the phone calls that were made to his office and went ignored. He replied, “I’m not sure what happened, but give me the telephone number and I’ll make sure he gets a call first thing tomorrow morning.” Here we are weeks later and still no contact made.
“According to my research, a congressman’s base salary as of 2009 was $174,000 a year without travel expenses, etc. I know if that were me, I would do everything I could to make sure everyone who contacted my office had the courtesy of a reply. Apparently, Scott Murphy doesn’t really care about this area. He just cared when he was looking for votes. I hope you’ll think twice next election!”
********************************************************************************************************************************
James Barr claims, that he was advised to contact Congressman Scott Murphy concerning a problem with the Maple Street bridge in Hobart. Who gave, that advise and what kind of information is he seeking? Since, State Senator John Bonacic office has been very helpful providing “information,” he has found a solution to his problem.
Members of Congress shouldn’t allow themselves to be distracted by those with political agendas or issues, that are the responsibility of a village, town, county or state government. Contacting Rep. Murphy’s office 19 times demonstrates, that Barr is harassing Murphy’s staff. Perhaps, Barr’s political agenda from the very beginning was to write the Oneonta Star and tell readers: “Scott Murphy doesn’t really care about this area.”
Some are claiming, that our Democratic representatives in Congress don’t really care about the people in Delaware County, but the facts prove otherwise.
Congressional Democrats made that clear a year ago, when they passed the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, that provided help to millions of Americans throughout this country. Although, Congressman Scott Murphy was not yet in Congress to vote, he did support the legislation because it address the economic challenges facing upstate New York.
The Recovery Act was passed without the vote of a single House Republican and only 3 Republican Senators (only 2 now). The bill, include $27 billion for highway and bridge construction projects. The person in charge of deciding which transportation projects would receive funding is Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who is a former Republican Congressman.
Recovery Act legislation extended or increased unemployment benefits for more than 18 million Americans. It made health insurance 65 percent cheaper for families who get their coverage through COBRA, and passed 25 different tax cuts. There are million Americans working today, who would otherwise be unemployed. Two hundred thousand are working in construction and clean energy. Three hundred thousand are teachers and other education workers. Tens of thousands are cops, firefighters, correctional officers, and first responders, who remain employed.
The Recovery Act included $86.6 billion for Medicaid, $100 million for meals programs for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels, $100 million for free school lunch programs, $1.3 billion for medical care for service members and military families, $1 billion for the Veterans Health Administration, $44.5 billion in aid to local school districts to prevent layoffs and cutbacks, $2.1 billion for Head Start, $19.9 billion for the Food Stamp Program, $14.2 billion to give one-time $250 payments to Social Security recipients, and veterans receiving disability and pensions, $3.95 billion for job training, $500 million for vocational training for the disabled, $120 million for subsidized community service jobs for older Americans, and much more.
I suspect, that these services are being used by more than a few residents of Delaware County. It’s important to remember, that except for 3 Republican Senators every Republican member of Congress voted “NO.”
posted by Jim O'Leary | 12:35 AM
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