99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR MONDAY, 7/18/11

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS TALK TAX CAP-The Board had a discussion last week about the 2-percent or CPI limit on municipal tax hikes. Board Member Kim Bissonette, who recently retired as Potsdam Town Assessor, said with property sales down and values flat, the money has to come from somewhere--and it will be taxpayer's pockets. He says the state tells municipalities to limit spending but "...where's THEIR tax cap?" On the issue of mandate relief, Legislative Liaison Jim Bunstone of Potsdam said "...a mandate is a tax..."

FOOD PANTRIES AND RELATED PROGRAMS TO SUFFER FROM COMLINKS GLEANING CUTBACKS--News the Franklin County-based agency will no longer deliver past Massena has community centers reeling, looking for ways to get the food.

BICYCLIST HURT, BOTH DRIVER AND CYCLIST TICKETED FROM POTSDAM COLLISION--Potsdam Police say 76-year-old Richard Ashcroft of San Jose, CA drove into the path of a bike going through the intersection of Main and Park Streets about 9pm Saturday, operated by 19-year-old Mark Boyle of Potsdam. Boyle was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital; both Boyle and Ashcroft got tickets. Police say the cycle had no reflective material.

John Storrin--57--Tupper Lake, former Potsdam resident. Services 8:30pm Tuesday at Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam. Calling hours Tuesday 6-8:30pm