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From the office of Congressman Owens

PLATTSBURGH – Congressman Bill Owens today announced a new section of his website dedicated to promoting free tax filing services for Upstate New Yorkers.

“Correctly filing one’s taxes can be a confusing and stressful process, and very few people know that there are free services available that can help them through these procedures,” said Owens. “During tough economic times, every penny counts and it is important that qualified tax specialists are available to the general public to help them receive the largest refund possible.”

Owens has added outreach to his Congressional website, located at http://owens.house.gov.  New features of the website include information on how to file taxes both electronically and by mail.

AARP offers free services, run by certified tax preparers, for low-to-moderate income taxpayers of all ages every year. Upstate New Yorkers can find the nearest tax aide site by visiting Owens’ website or clicking here <http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/taxAideLocations.action> .

A number of organizations in New York also partner with the IRS to run a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).  This free service, staffed by IRS certified tax preparers, is open to taxpayers making $50,000 or less.  A full list of VITA sites in New York can be found here <http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=234169,00.html> .

Tax preparation help from Owens’ website can be linked to directly here: http://owens.house.gov/ConstituentServices/taxhelp.htm

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Peru Central School News Release:

Peru Central School District and Peru Central’s budget advisory committee is hosting a public forum at 6 PM this coming Monday, February 14th at 6 PM in the community room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru High School.

Monday’s 6 PM public forum will actively engage district residents by soliciting ideas and perceptions regarding school finances, cost reductions and forecasted budget factors for constructing next school year’s proposed budget plan. The intent is to help Peru Central respond thoughtfully to the fiscal challenges facing New York State. This public forum is the first in a series of three winter 2011 public forums at Peru Central focused on school budget factors. Individuals who participate Monday will receive a briefing packet, according to Peru Central Superintendent of Schools A. Paul Scott.

The tentative figures via New York State indicate Peru CSD faces a $2.62M reduction in state aid for the 2011-2012 school year. It’s still very early in the state budget process, yet the facts at this point in time at Peru Central are as follows: A $2.62M cut in state aid, July 1st forward, coupled with estimated figures of $358,000 in negotiated & projected 2011-2012 salary increases for employees, $412,000 of increased cost for health insurance premiums, $211,000 of increased support staff retirement system contributions and $372,000 of increased teacher retirement system contributions yield a $4M gap, not including any prospective increases to other cost areas such as fuel, utilities, and BOCES services such as ‘tuition seats’ for career-technical programs & special education programs. Read more »

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Northern New York – On February 24, 25 and 26, 2011, farmer Dave Johnson of Provident Farms in Liberty, PA, will explain to Northern New York audiences how his family’s seasonal and holistic management style addresses the “real” needs of their 450-acre farm, resulting in profit and personal satisfaction, and how seasonal organic dairying fits their business guidelines.

Provident Farm’s enterprises have spanned from direct marketing of pastured beef, poultry and pork to a current focus on the seasonal grass-based dairy. Johnson is also recognized for his skill at restoring abandoned land and constructing low-cost, labor-efficient milking parlor design.

Johnson describes Provident Farm’s topography in Pennsylvania’s northern tier as “grass and clover country.” Two years ago when organic grain prices peaked, the farm added corn, oilseed and small grain production to complement their forages and now Johnson no longer purchases any feed. Read more »