Stimulus Bill Passes Both Houses
Late Friday night (2/13) the Stimulus Bill passed the Senate when one final vote "aye" was cast by Sen. Brown of Ohio. Brown had been delayed while attending a wake for his mother.
Amazingly, and Ripley's Believe It or Not should be notified on this one, the bill which exceeded 1000 pages and represented close to 800 billion dollars, was NOT READ BY A SINGLE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE.
Only bits and pieces were extracted and reviewed by the members and yet these representatives of our democracy and the legislative leaders of 300 million people could not find time to adhere to their own rule (they must have a minimum of 48 hours after a bill is published to review and/or change a document).

Major School Tax Increase?
Local radio station WRIV is reporting that the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Diane B. Scricca is forecasting a major increase in Riverhead school taxes in the coming year. The forecast is for a possible 10% increase. This is a town where the average income does not exceed $49,000. The economy is in the tank. People are losing their jobs everywhere. Property taxes are out of hand. Does anyone get it?

Riverhead Republicans Want a Change
The Riverhead Republican Party is actively seeking potential candidates to run for the Town offices of Supervisor, Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent, Assessor and Town Councilman. Want to make a difference? Send your resume' to the Republican Town Committee, PO Box 615, Wading River 11792 or e-mail geohark@yahoo.com

Gov. Wants Supermarket Wine Sales
Gov. David Paterson has proposed a change in liquor laws that would allow supermarkets and convenience stores to sell bottled wines. Liquor store owners are not happy about it and are trying to halt the idea.