Salvino At U.S. Open

One of the great Legends in Professional Bowling, Carmen
Salvino, second from the left, greets Monticello bowler John
Hoffmann, left, and Mike & Mickey Luongo of Mike's Pro
Shop in Middletown at the 64th U.S. Open PBA Championships
during the week of March 1-4 at North Brunswick, NJ

Here & There 3-6-07

More Sales Tax Less Property Tax?

So now taxpayers in Sullivan County are looking at an 8 percent sales tax and what are they going to get for the half percent increase.
Some have said for many years now that property taxes in Sullivan County are way too high and its all simply because government refuses to consolidate or downsize.
Politicians say they don't like taxes but every change they get to slip an increase by us they do it and then offer some stupid excuse like there is no other way to do it.
Sullivan County with the half percent increase in sales tax would be uses as follows:
Some 50 percent of the increase would go into the county's unreserved fund balance in order to improve the county's credit rating for mandated capital projects such as building of the new county jail......which by the way is mandated by the state.....but funded by the county.
The remaining fifty percent of the increased tax, split in three ways, would go to the Department of Public Works for road maintenance not included in the 2007 budget, another third to the Department of Public Safety in the area of law enforcement and to bolster the efforts of the sheriff's office, probation, fire EMS and 911 services, and another third would go to open space preservation in order to mitigate the devastation of residential and commercial properties from the 2006 June flood.
Now quite honestly one cannot argue against any of these three needs, but, we don't like the state mandating issues unless they match the costs and budgeting of
road maintenance belongs in the regular budget not thrown in a sales tax increase.
There is so much truth in the statement that property taxes are the least favored of all taxes that some areas of our country have turned to increases sales taxes but it must be said that sales taxable purchases tend to be made from wage and salary income and economic trends can have a direct effect on sales tax revenue.
Revenue options for any uncertain fiscal future apparently favors increases in the sales tax rate which doesn't get as much opposition as increases in property taxes.
Figures vary from state to state but we have heard that in one area a half percent increase in the sales tax would generate an additional $352 million in revenue. One part of the country we have visited boasts no increases in their city property taxes because of the revenue from sales taxes.
We don't have any local figures immediately available but we wonder what type of revenue would be generated from an increase of 1 percent in the local sales tax....it's not uncommon to travel to other areas of our country and pay a 9 percent sales tax and much lower property taxes.
We compliment Sullivan County Manager David Fanslau for a job well done in his preparation and presentation to support the half percent increase in the county sales tax..........what kind of revenue could be generated from a higher county sales tax and a serious study of government restructuring and consolidation?

Here & There 2-27-07

Gov. Spitzer Is Doing Things His Way

An interesting topic at our recent Sullivan County coffee clatch centered around New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer and the apparent fact that there are no sacred cows in Albany and he intends to do things a lot differently than past governors.
We all agreed that the governor put intense pressure on former State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi and as a result Hevesi quit his post and plead guilty to a felony charge. The governor had prior to Hevesi's resignation made it very clear that he intended to seek the comptroller's removal.
Gov. Spitzer, we all feel has some guts in what he wants to do but it is just a little too early to see if he will have the success in shaking up the power structure in Albany.
Our coffee and donuts group, made up of 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans and one independent were not surprised to hear about Spitzer's action in apparently breaking an age old unwritten rule for filling vacant local positions.
The old political machine in Albany in years past would have taken the advise of their local political party and name whoever it recommended. We are of course talking about the case of the open Sullivan County clerk seat vacated by former Clerk George Cooke and the Sullivan County Democratic Committee selecting Fallsburg Town Councilman Neil Gilberg for the job.
The governor took a new position and is running public notice classified ads in area publications seeing resumes for Sullivan County residents interested in being appointed to the post. This new twist to filling vacancies even caught County Democratic Party Chairman Timothy Hill off guard.
Governor Spitzer noted in his inaugural address on January 1 "that we come together to make a pivotal moment in our state's history, a day that in the rhythm of democracy marks a transition and a new beginning." He made it very clear that he "chose pragmatism and ethics over partisan politics and disfunction, and we demanded an end to gridlock."
The coffee clatch likes what he said and true there has been similar verbiage from Albany politicians in the past, we for the time being feel this governor is being honest in his apparent fight against partisan politics and disfunction.
Governor Spitzer has clearly stated that we can't afford burdensome property taxes and the high cost of the present health care.
A cup of our delicious home made coffee and donuts tasted so much better during this coffee clatch and we all wish Governor Spitzer success in his attempts to change the ethics of Albany and end the politics of cynicism and division in our state.
A new brand of politics and a brand of politics that binds up together is a big, big dream.
Good luck governor.

Christa Sweeney 236, 226, 210, 672

Mardette Wilcox, 278, 254, 712 Series

Dean Shattuck 300 Game

Bowling Highlights Column 3-2-07

Shattuck 300, Wilcox 712, Sweeney 672

The mixture of a perfect 300 game and two outstanding series by two women bowlers took the area scoring highlights this week.
Forty-five year-old Monticello bowler Dean Shattuck rolled his second career 300 game on February 21 in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Bowling for over 25 years Dean scored the 300 on lanes 13 and 14 using an Ultra C bowling ball. All 12 strikes were in the pocket.
His previous high game was a 300 bowled several years ago and his high series is a 792.
Shattluck presently holds down a 220 average in this the only league he bowls in. His Wednesday team is the Lawn Doctors and his team mates include George Battle, Frank Muller Jr., Rick Lake and Larry Berens.
He is a member of the board of directors of the Tri-County NY USBC.
Dean is married to Kelly and they have one daughter, Kayla. He is employed as an electrician in Rockland County.
Twenty-five year-old Wurtsboro bowler Mardette Wilcox scored a 180, 278, 254, 712 series in the Saturday Mixed league at Kiamesha Lanes.
She rolled the high ladies series on lanes five and six using a Goliath bowling ball.
Mardette has been bowling for 5 years and also bowls in the Thursday Ladies league at Kiamesha Lanes. Her current average in this league is a 181 and her previous high game and series was a 299 and a 699.
Wilcox bowls for the Who Cares Team in this league with team mates Ryan Lepke, Rebekha Wilcox and Matt Jahn.
Mardette is single and is employed as a teller at the First National Bank of Jeffersonville.
Christa Sweeney, 45, of Monticello, had a, outstanding night of bowling on February 9 in the Friday Mixed league at Kiamesha Lanes when she smashed the maples for a 236, 226, 210, 672 series (all bowled this season).
Christa has been bowling for only 4 years and her previous high games include a 210, 225, 234 and a 544 and 595 series. Her current average in this the only league she bowls in is 164.
The team she bowls on is Lindsey's Cuisine with team mates, Roy Sweeney, Lauren Ricco and Danny Ricco.
She scored the 672 using a Zone Impulse bowling ball.
Married to Roy Sweeney, they have no children but do have 2 dogs, Sox and Gwendolun.
Christa is employed as a bookkeeper/office manger for Neversink Glass Corp.

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: one of our previous tips was designed to help you achieve the correct body position to properly execute a bowling shot and be able to repeat it. This week, we will cover the release.......information that will help bowlers on all levels.
A properly executed release is possibly one of the most misunderstood parts of a bowling shot. Most bowlers tend to muscle the ball through the release zone, either accelerating or decelerating on the downswing. The proper release for all bowlers, "whether you are a six-year-old with a conventional grip or an accomplished bowler with many years experience), can be executed by letting gravity bring the ball from the top of your swing through the release zone with no interference from your arm or shoulder muscles. If your ball fits properly, the gravity will take it off your hand at the right time providing your body is in the proper position. Any rotation on the ball should come from your hand only, not your arm. Using the proper technique will allow you to get as much rotation on the ball as desired. Note, however, if you ball does not fit properly, it will require excessive grip pressure to hold on to which will make the release harder to execute.
Aside from bowling, for those of you that have played golf, you can strike the ball much better and with more accuracy if you do not pull the club down from the top of the swing with your shoulder muscles. Gravity can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on how you use it.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro-Shop Operator and Teacher. He is a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is also the Northeast Technical Advisor for the Morich Bowling Ball Company (Morich Enterprises, Inc.) Mike is also a member of the Brunswick Pro-Shop Staff. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by phone at 845-341-1694 or via e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net


Ed's Outlook

The U.S. Open Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tournament, one of the 4 major tournaments on the PBA tour, is underway this week at the Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, New Jersey.
Noted as one of the toughest tournament because of the shot that is put down by the PBA, the format of this tourney is 51 games, total pins. The field size includes 492 bowlers, 249 PBA entries and 243 amateur entries.
This is the 64th U.S. Open and marks the 35th Denny's PBA Tour event held in the state of New Jersey and the 14th event at Brunswick Zone Carolier. This Open is the 4th Major event held in the state of New Jersey.
Big prize money this week includes $100,000 first place, $50,000 second place, $25,000 third place and $15,000 fourth place.
Doug Kent of Newark, NY, won this year's first major, the 2006 United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters.
The other two majors include the Denny's World Championship and the PBA Tournament of Champions.
The live ESPN-televised finals takes place Sunday, March 4 at noon.
Bowling Highlights will be on hand covering this event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ed's Outlook is provided by Bowling Highlights Columnist and Consultant to the Professional Sport of Bowling Ed Townsend. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league scores, standings or tournament information, please call Ed at 845-439-8177 or send an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com ...... Also join us on our own Web (BLOG) page for in depth coverage of area bowling. Our BLOG is located at http://bght.blogspot.com

Local Scores

Callicoon Lanes
Callicoon, NY

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Hontonville Ladies league include a 210, 504 by Sue Naughton, Janet Baker 197, Pat Peters 181, Amber Benson 181 and Jodi Gulley 181.
In the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league Jon Wayne scored a 228, Jon Duffy 218 and Mark Herbert 211.
In the Friday Mixed league Brian Marino scored a 223, Samii Markao 213 and Jackie Brockner 212.

Liberty Lanes
Liberty, NY

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies league include a 198 by Elisa Bound, Sandy Shirdon 198, Darlene Mantzourates 186 and Sue Jones 181.
In the Wednesday Men's league Kyle Stevens scored a 247, 685, Ralph Coney 244, 674, Keith Smith 245, 656, Rob Tuttle 638, Chris Stevens 626, Robbie Bivins 620,
Tom Skiff III a 618 and John Lopez 601.
In the Thursday 5:45 Ladies league Jan Brahm scored a 192, 189, 549, Dawn McAdams 191, 183, 544, Shirley Townsend 189, 186, 520, Darlene Mantzouratos 190, 185, 517, Charlene Meola 186, 511, Deana Fritz 192 and Elisa Bound 181.
In the Thursday Men's Doubles league Kyle Stevens scored a 653, Jim Fiore Sr. 246, 652, Tom Skiff III a 247, 646, Russell Bivins 640, Chris Stevens 245, 635, Floyd Hokirk 600 and Ronnie Totten 600.
In the Friday Mixed league Kyle Stevens scored a 275, 739, Ralph Coney 279, 727, Tom Skiff III a 255, 657, Alan LaBounty 625, Gene Smith 245, Marianne Soto 183 and Billie Jo Bound 182.
In the Saturday Morning Liberty Elks Youth leagues, in the Bantam division Anthony Kolarik scored a 174, Rocco Torre 142, Thomas Muller 140 and Melissa Symanski 128. In the Teenage division Thomas Fix scored a 196, 222, 242, 660, Landon McCosco 187, Justin Fancher 193, Bruce Huggins 186, AndyCook 181 and Ben Grisafe 181.
In the Saturday Mixed league Kyle Stevens scored a 256, 718, Keith Smith 617, Phil Russell 611 and Kevin Teller 611.
In the Sunday Afternoon Scholarship league Thomas Fix scored a 235, 237, 667, Robert Fix III a 222, 237, 675, Robbie Bivins 221, Chris Stevens 213 and Kyle Stevens 248, 234, 259, 741.
In the Sunday Mixed league Kyle Stevens scored a 257, 664, Keith Smith 618, Sheila Fix 191, 181, 523 and Suzi Jones 191.

Kiamesha Lanes
Kianesha Lake, NY

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league include a 256, 246, 699 by Nate Sanders, Willy Bartley 248, 620, John Hoffmann 269, 712, Jaryl Scott 611, Mike Weiner 600, Paul Minton 278, 246, 731, Pedro Agapito 279, 622, Al Caycho 246, 610, Jack Moylan 255, 685, John Fischer 256, 703, Donnie Durland 662, Mark Wegener 253, 632, Paul Durland 243, 667, Shane Connor 255, 626, Eddie Lake 279, 659 and Ricky Lake 278, 663.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Vinnie Collura scored a 279, 242, 753, John Hoffmann 276, 728, Kevin Stackhouse 248, 675, Frank Emmens 656Brian Babcock 650, Robert Yakin Jr. 644, Ed Guthrie 636, Larry Berens 631, Dorian Jennings 204, 188, 225, 617, Debbie Durland 225, 564, Crystal Price 194, 189, 561, Linda Schaefer 189, 210, 558, Donna DuBois 181, 191, 544, Joan Lake 528, Mary Lee Williams 201, 525, Roberta Yakin 183, 514, Barbara Yeomans 183, 182, 511 and Lisa Karpp 208.
In the Wednesday Men's league Rich Hendrickson scored a 254, 681, Al Caycho 246, 688, Mike Weiner 604, Larry Berens 259, 679, Dean Shattuck 662, Barry Siegel 605, Cecil Walters 651, Ricky Lara 246, 653, Frank Emmens 247, 675, Josh Strang 246, 656, Shane Conner 617, Angel Rodriguez 256, 649, Desmond Gonzalez 642, Eddie Blume 242, 248, 703, Dwayne Cabrera 664, Tom Skiff Jr. 632, John Hoffmann 258, 268, 741, Vinnie Collura 603, Tom Belgiovene 256, 680, Paul Minton 255, 658, Donnie Durland 612, Walt Edwards 612, Jaryl Scott 624, Mark Wegener 641, Eddie Lake 245, 634 and Bill Danchak 254, 607.
In the Thursday Ladies league Debbie Durland scored a 221, 626, Anna Sawyer 213, 534, Barbara Neist 212, 582, Pat Shuart 209, 540, Camille Carpinone 208, Joan Lake 194, 554, Laurie Thelman 190, 518, Bonnie Geraine 188, 521, Bina Cooper 188, Mary Ann Berens 186, 530, Mardette Wilcox 529 and Mary Jane Conklin 519.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Tammy Pineiro scored a 181, 191, 181, 553, Bob Sze 620, Jennie Worden 208, 523, Christa Sweeney 201, 192, 533, Roy Sweeney 632, Dan Ricco 246, 627, Jamy Flynn 193, Rick Hendricks 278, 687, Don Kuhlman 638, Sue Westerman 213, 515, Cathy Carpenter 211, 553, Joan Redington 222, 562, Bob Linzer 667, Mary Lee Williams 237, 578, Joan Lake 231, 187, 579, Linda Schaefer 201, 216, 550, Eddie Lake 624, Paul Berens 620, Barbara Yeomans 191, Mary Ann Drobysh-Berens 211, 231, 611, Nancy Greene 212 and Frank Emmens 289, 740.
In the Saturday Mixed league Kim Peck scored a 181, Mitch Peck 686, Karla McAdams 182, Jason Rogers 608, George Van Aken 632, Kenny Hopkins Jr. 245, 644, Maureen Crescitelli 190, Alan Jones 248, 699, Mardette Wilcox 267, 587, Suzi Jones 184, 502, Loretta Van Aken 180, 525, Jim Van Aken 659, Shari DiSanto 182, 189, 539.

Ellenville Lanes
Ellenville, NY

Bret Budd, 41, of Spring Glen, NY scored an outstanding 814 series on February 15 in the Thursday 880 league at Ellenville Lanes.
He banged out single games of 278, 258, 278 on lanes 9 and 10 using an AMF Whiplash bowling ball.
Bret has been bowling for 30 years and has previously recorded one 800 series and two perfect 300 games. He maintains a 211 average in this the only league he bowls in.
Budd bowls with the Mobley's Landscaping team with team mates George Budd, Alex Collins, Ralph Davis and Jason Budd.
Bret is married with two children and is employed as an equipment operator with the Town of Mamakating Highway Department.
Other recent highlight scores from this league include a 613 by Rudy Belanchia, Jorge Zetina 264, 661, Dave Garlinghouse 629, George Budd 247, 619, Kelly Collins 255, 620 and Pierre Hendrickson 242, 624.
In the Wednesday Mixed league Chris Eckhardt scored a 654.

Middletown Lanes
Middletown, NY

In the Saturday Phantom League Roberta Bull scored a 182 and Renee Liseski 208.
Jeff Jackson scored his fourth 300 game of the season.
700 scores for the week include Steve Brigidyr 758, John Waizenegger 742, Wayne Biasi 719, Tony Ezzo 739, Ken Claluson 716, Bill Howell III a 771, John Angus 725 and 749, JR Drew 761, Dan Ryder 761, Matt Lybolt 710, Bob Quinn Jr. 727, Bob Haas 712, Andy Meuse 716, George Martin 745, Jeff Masci 702 and Steve Gelinas 789.

Hoe Bowl Lanes
Walden, NY

In the Walden Women's league Deborah Boniface scored a 184, 184, 538.