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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER • www.CommunityPress.us Volume 32
JUNE 2017
Number 6
Make New “Memories” at Strawberry Festival - June 16 and 17
The 37th Annual Strawberry Festival will celebrate “Memories” as the theme for this year’s event, which kicks off on Friday, June 16, with a Block Party from 5:00 to 10:00 pm, and on Saturday, June 17, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in downtown Owego. For the main event on Saturday, the streets in Owego will be filled with vendors and entertainment. With the annual parade stepping off at 10:00 am. More than a dozen bands will perform at three different stages throughout the festival. Street performers will bring their talents to festivalgoer’s in a display of true public entertainment. Whether it is rock, pop, jazz, blues or bluegrass music, the festival offers a wide variety of musical entertainment.
This year’s festival will also offer entertainment for children and adults as the puppet show brings its marionettes this year, and Animal Adventure Park, which gained recent fame with April the giraffe, will bring some of its live animals for you to enjoy. New this year is a Digital Circus that will thrill guests with their artistic dance and some traditional magic. The mission of the Digital Circus is to bring a unique and beautiful flow of arts to the masses. There will be vendors, children’s activities, face painters, a pageant for children, and much more. A schedule of events and vendor information and applications can be found at www.owego.org.
Marks Running for Town of Owego Supervisor
Jonathan Marks of Owego has announced his candidacy for Owego Town Supervisor. He is planning to run in the September 12, 2017, primary election on the Republican ticket. Marks is an Owego native who has over 40 years of business management experience, including 18 years of being a successful Town of Owego small business owner. He graduated from Owego Free Academy and attended Syracuse University. Marks also currently serves as President of the Tioga County Fair
Board. Topping his concerns is the approximately 80% hike in the Town of Owego taxes over the past decade, while the national inflation rate for the same period is 17.9%. “I’m proud to live in the beautiful Town of Owego,” stated Marks. “It is my intention to keep it affordable by scrutinizing expenses, curtailing rising costs within the town and offering a higher level of transparency in spending for our voters. I feel I am a good listener, and get along well with people and am eager to work with our town department heads to attain higher levels of efficiency and better avenues of communication.” Marks added, “I am also committed to residents’ safety and feel it is important that we support the highway department and the maintenance of our town roads.” Marks is excited to meet with voters over the next few months at several upcoming events around the Town of Owego. He would like to hear from you - what are your concerns and issues? Email Jonathan Marks at JBMarks444@hotmail.com
Libertarian Party in Tioga County On April 25, 2017, seven members of the Libertarian party of New York who reside in Tioga county, assembled together at the Coburn Library in Owego to organize a Tioga County Governing Body. Bylaws were adopted and chapter officers were elected. Elected were Sara Price of Apalachin Chair, Melvin Foster of Candor Vice-Chair, Tami Bogausch of Candor Treasurer, and Rich Purtell of Apalachin Secretary.
The mission of this county organization is to advance the causes of individual liberty and freedom in Tioga County and beyond. Of particular interest for 2017, the chapter seeks to advance a qualified candidate with the proper values of "no victim-no crime" to run for Tioga County District Attorney. For more information, contact Sara Marie Kelly Price, chapter chair, at (607) 972-7008.
This year’s Strawberry Festial parade will step off at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 17, with colorful floats and a variety of entertainment
(Strawberry Festival File Photo)
SPC Charles E. Bilbrey, Jr. Inducted into NYS Senate Veterans Hall of Fame Specialist Charles “Charlie” E. Bilbrey, Jr. of Owego was recently inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2017 in Albany by Senator Fred Akshar. Each year, the New York State Senate honors veterans who have distinguished themselves in both their military and community service. “Ten years ago, Charlie made the ultimate sacrifice for his community and his country while serving in Iraq,” said Senator Fred Akshar. “It's important that we ensure that his story is never forgotten and that he is always remembered. On behalf of a grateful state and a grateful nation, we say thank you to Charlie and the Bilbrey family for their sacrifice and for allowing us to honor Charlie's life.” SPC Bilbrey deployed to Iraq in January of 2007 with the 5/7th Cavalry, and survived two vehicle bombings during the first three months of his tour. He carried Jolly Ranchers on patrol for Iraqi children who were thrilled by their col-
way in the village of Saqlawiyah, Iraq. It was his habit to volunteer for missions on his days off. On that mission, he and two other soldiers were killed when their HUMVEE tripped an IED. SPC Bilbrey was 21 years old. A college scholarship program was established at Owego Free Academy in Charlie’s name for students like SPC Bilbrey who possess a strong sense of honor, integrity and service to the nation. His parents, Charles, Sr. and Barbara, accepted the honor in Albany. More information about Senator Akshar (center) Charlie and a video of Mr. and with Charles Sr. and Barbara Bilbrey Mrs. Bilbrey discussing Charlie's ors. On July 26, 2007, SPC Bilbrey vollife can be found at unteered for a mission to secure a roadwww.Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.