99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR TUESDAY, 3/23/10

POTSDAM VILLAGE TREASURER SAYS LINE CAN BE HELD ON TAXES, OR DROPPED NEXT YEAR--David Fenton told 99 News Monday his first draft for next year's budget has a tax rate hike of 8.6 percent, generally agreed to be unacceptable. He says there is adequate fund balance to keep taxes down.

COUNTY LEGISLATURE CANDIDATES DEBATE SALES TAX VS. PROPERTY TAX--All three declared candidates for District 8 appeared before the St.Lawrence County Conservative Committee. The county is facing a 10-million-dollar budget deficit next year. Matthew Flynn of Canton says his 'no new taxes, period' stance applies. Kevin Akers of Madrid says he would prefer a sales tax hike as a last resort, but to put the money in a dedicated fund for roads and bridges. Russell Finley says county government is so full of waste the shortfall can be found, easily if the right people are in office.

SENATE BILL KEEPS OCF OPEN--A budget resolution sponsored by local State Senator Darrel Aubertine has 24 million dollars to keep the Ogdensburg prison open. This, as buses full of local residents are set to rally on the steps of the Capitol fighting for the prison.

ALLEGED MASSENA BURGLAR JAILED WITHOUT BAIL--Village Police charged 36-year-old Patrick Hong of Liberty Ave. Monday afternoon with felony second degree burglary after he allegedly entered a neighbor's residence and made off with DVD's, an I-pod, and a digital camera. Hong was caught in the act by the resident as he was returning home during the noon hour.

TWO SLU FOOTBALL PLAYERS CHARGED WITH HARASSMENT AFTER PICK-UP TRUCK INCIDENT--20-year-old Marcus Washington and 21-year-old Gerard Bryant allegedly hopped onto the back of a pick-up driven by a Russell teen early Sunday morning, and allegedly punched him when he stopped and tried to get one of them off the truck. Both footballers were released on court appearance tickets; second degree harassment is a violation less than a misdemeanor.

OBITUARIES:

Jean Butler--85--Massena, former Potsdam resident. Services 3pm March 28th at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Potsdam. Calling hours at Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam Saturday 2-4, 7-9pm.

Wallace "Dode" Fullerton--77--Norwood. Services 11am Tuesday at Buck Funeral Home, Norwood. Calling hours Wednesday 2-4, 6-8pm.