A GANNETT COMPANY PRESSC0NNECTS.COM BIN PRESS SUN-Bl The allure of 'Carmen' Tri-Cities Opera performs Bizet classic this weekend GOOD TIMES, INSIDE TODAY Jf Je THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013 25 of N.Y. property exempt Upstate faces brunt of tax strain Binghamton resident Niki Striss, owner of Showtime Costumes on Main Street, plans to close the doors to her shop on Dec. 31. KRISTOPHER RADDER STAFF PHOTOS THE CUSTOMER'S By Joseph Spector jspectorgannett.com ALBANY About 25 percent of property values in New York are exempt from paying taxes, putting added strain on municipalities, particularly small ones in upstate, stated a report Wednesday from Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. The report comes as Moody's Investors Service this week warned about additional credit downgrades for struggling local governments in New York.
DiNapoli said the tax-exempt property in New York, including colleges, prisons and Native American reservations, has a value of $680 billion, and increases to $826 billion when the estimate includes properties exempt from multiple taxes or that participate in tax-rebate programs. "In an era of limited resources, the impact of property tax exemptions complicates the financial picture of our local governments," DiNapoli said in a See EXEMPT, Page 8A Owner to close Binghamton's Showtime Costumes Dec. 31 STORE' By Jon Harris jharris6gannett.com BINGHAMTON Freddy Krueger stands with a glove equipped with razors, ready to frighten children with the push of a button. The gangly Pumpkinhead looms over the staircase, confronting those who dare to glance up into the darkness. Chucky hides below other villains of the past, flaunting his grisly scars, stitches and deformed eye.
Yet, the scariest part about Showtime Costumes is that it might not be here for another Halloween. The iconic 142 Main St. Binghamton business will close Dec. 31 after more than 30 years in the community. Owner Niki Striss is shutting the doors, so she can spend more time with her husband of 34 years, Ron Striss.
She hasn't yet put the business on the market, but she hopes when she does, that someone will buy it and keep the longtime costume destination in the community. See SHOWTIME, Page 7A City Council proposes $2M in cuts Municipal pool, tennis court upgrades would be eliminated Jolonda Brown, of Binghamton, celebrates after finding a leprechaun costume at Showtime Costumes on Main Street in Binghamton. DIGITAL See a video with this story at pressconnects.com. Broome volunteers aim to Make a Difference By David Robinson drobinson6gannett.com BINGHAMTON More than $2 million for upgrading municipal pools, renovating a tennis court and a range of other purchases would be cut from Mayor Matthew T. Ryan's 2014 budget proposal, under City Council's spending plan.
If the council plan is approved, the city's residential tax rate would increase about 0.1 percent. Ryan's $88.5 million budget proposal would increase spending by nearly 4 percent, or $3.1 million, from the current fiscal year. Residents are expected to get a chance to comment on the proposal during a council meeting at 6:30 p.m. See COUNCIL, Page 6A ARE YOU VOLUNTEERING? If your school, group, church, business or neighborhood is participating in a project as part of Make a Difference Day, please let us know by sending an email to with the details, including a contact name and phone number. Please put "Make a Difference Day" in the subject line.
distribute pamphlets and help with crafts. Those who haven't stopped by their local libraries in a while might not be aware of all the helpful services libraries have to offer, said Steven Bachman, executive director of the Four County Library System. Libraries have evolved over recent years into "community hubs," Bachman said. Many have expanded their digital presence and boast a variety of resources and useful materials to help See VOLUNTEER, Page 8A Staff Report The Press Sun-Bulletin and the Four County Library System are teaming up for free family literacy events on Saturday in observance of Make A Difference Day. Make A Difference Day is the largest national day of community service.
Children and families are invited to come to the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where volunteers and library staff will be on hand to help sign people up for library cards. Volunteers will also read stories, The Binghamton Press Co. 231-SOLD. PAGE IB INSIDE CLASSIFIED 46 31 Details on 2A For subscription or customer service, please call 1-800-253-5343 Ask how you can save with EZ-Pay! Business Comicspuzzles Horoscope Local State Lotteries 12A GT GT 3A 3A Nations World 20A Obituaries 16A-18A Sports 1C Television GT Viewpoints 14A "4 aHwyM itextjati! $L00 For home delivery pricing, see Page 2A GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICING Industry's Strongest Warranty WINDOWS SIDING GUTTERS DOORS "Simply the Best tor Less Maximjmsra4ft.x6ft.
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