Liz and other readers and writers: In my letter of yesterday, I pondered mentioning establishing and/or raising fees for service by the Oswego County Historian's Office as a means to mitigate potential cuts. I decided against it. But perhaps we all really should reconsider that issue. It may be a small price to pay to keep the services of Barbara Dix and her office. I do think it is important that everyone write a letter to Mr. Stephen Lyman, Oswego County Administrator, 46 East Bridge Street, Oswego, NY 13126 or at his E-mail address which is [email protected] You should also forward copies of this letter to Oswego County Legislators. I found the following E-mail addresses on the Oswego County web site: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], It would be nice to let Barbara Dix and her boss, Mr. Williams also know of what we are doing by copying them at: [email protected], [email protected] If you have already written to Mr. Lyman but have not copied the Legislators and Ms. Dix and her boss, IT IS NOT TOO LATE. Simply forward your copy of the letter to Mr.Lyman to these other individuals. They can use their influence to convince Mr. Lyman that the Oswego County Historian position is not one that he should be eliminating. Now, here are two really important things you might incorporate into your letter. 1.) If you legally reside in Oswego County, note that fact in your letter and mention that you are a local taxpayer. And as custodian of YOUR tax funds, you want to see them spent in a way which preserves local history for generations of people to come. You also want the spending and subsequent taxes associated with the tourism generated from history and genealogy research in the County to add to the County coffers. Remind him that this is a source of revenue for the county that is not a direct burden to local residents. 2. If you live out of the area, but have traveled to or plan to travel to the Oswego County area to undertake historical or genealogical research, mention that fact and in the same paragraph mention that you spent or will be spending dollars (which help the already depressed economy) for the purchase of food, gas and lodging, etc. Note that without Barbara Dix and the Oswego County Historian's Office, the length and even the likelihood of your travel is minimized. Therefore Oswego County residents can count on less tax revenue and less money spent in Oswego County by non-county residents. He is, in fact, shifting a part of the tax base from outsiders to County residents. Is this the issue for which Mr. Lyman wants to be remembered? I think not. I hope these suggestions are taken to heart...because I know that politicians must respond to constituents. This is our chance to let Oswego County know what we feel. Sincerely, Rusty Okoniewski Orlando, FL (A former Oswego County resident and employee)