Letter to Editor:

I just checked my canceled checks for 2008 and 2014. My taxes on my home are up over 12% and taxes on my forest are up 34%. They just re-assessed my forest and my school tax was up 38% so don’t know how far my county tax will go up.

If I could charge for the oxygen my trees produce, carbon they consume, cooling, water purification, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and more I would be able to pay the taxes. When forests are gone for developing, corn, or development then we don’t need and more we will all die of thirst? How many states lack pure or just water for 100% of their people?

Stop telling me my taxes went down as I can show you the canceled checks. Maybe my math isn’t as good as our politicians?

I haven’t heard a word from the 7 Legislatures that represent St. Lawrence County about jobs, or anyone from 21st dist. campaigning either. Where does SLC rank in per capita family income or unemployment, or the tax base loss form GM and Alcoa East or the workers that were paying taxes also that have left the employment rolls, yes and taxed out of the state.

I keep hearing about the poor hard working farmers. Is there land and buildings assessed same as mine? How hard they work, ever ran a log skidder over rough terrain in the forest, how about a road grader, dozer, roller or tailed a paver where the asphalt comes out at 300 degrees on a 90+ degree day, worked in an aluminum foundry, auto manufacturing plant, or a glass plant? The farmer can’t lose as he has a set milk price all he has to do is control his spending. I was taught not to purchase what you can’t afford.

I keep hearing about local food, why is our milk from Syracuse and not a bottling plant here, cranberries from Mass. apples from Wash. State, Garlic from China and Mexico, potatoes from Idaho and elsewhere and on and on.

The farm bureau is the strongest lobbying (union) organization in the world.

I paid 10c to put ethanol in my gas, it has ruined many engines, I have replaced gas tanks and lines, now I pay 48c to take it out? I have driven both of my GM vehicles on ethanol free for 3 tanks and do get over 10% better gas mileage and see no difference in performance.

To the Politicians: you need to address the real issues and don’t distort them, to the forest owners: who are you voting for and what they are doing for you and protecting your forest that we as conservationist provide so many benefits for everyone.

We don’t pave, use pesticides, herbicides, etc. to produce our maple syrup. What have your legislatures done for or going to do for you?

William LaPoint

Winthrop