Michael C. Buzzell, 31, 26 Main St., Oakfield, is started with stalking and menacing following an incident outside the County Courthouse yesterday afternoon. Buzzell allegedly threatened another person in the parking lot of the court facility around 12:15 p.m. He and the other person were apparently appearing in court yesterday on the same matter. The alleged victim reports being threatened repeatedly by Buzzell. Buzzell was taken into custody at 4:42 p.m.
Lynn Desiree Bettilyon, 21, of 749 Washington St., Spencerport, is charged with attempt to evade or defeat tax and possession of untaxed cigarettes. Bettilyon was stopped for allegedly speeding in the Town of Alabama. She was allegedly traveling at 51 mph in a 40 mph zone. Deputy Tim Wescott investigated and allegedly found her in possession of 400 untaxed cigarettes. Bettilyon was also issued citations for unlicensed driving and driving left of pavement marking.
400 untaxed cigarettes? Two
400 untaxed cigarettes? Two cartons? That's all it takes to get charged with this? So if a person smokes 3 packs a day (which this person should quit or at least cut way back, but for the sake of argument this is not a terribly unreasonable number), times seven days, 21 packs, 420 cigarettes... It is unlawful for this person to buy a weeks supply of a legal product from an establishment which the law does not prevent them from frequenting. Come on NYS, lighten up a little bit, times are tough, things are stressful....I need a cigarette.
BTW I do not condone smoking, but I am a smoker. I know it's bad for my health and frankly would prefer it if tobacco products were outlawed altogether. . . However since it is a legal product, how about some common sense policies, that's all I ask.
I seem to be noticing more and more of these "possession of untaxed cigarettes" charges being levied against individuals, what's next? Customs Checkpoints at all of the Reservation lines?
HONOR INDIAN TREATIES!!!
I appreciate the fact that,
I appreciate the fact that, as of late, the police are getting tougher on people that are stocking up on cigarettes from Indian reservations. Reason being:
1. I believe in "user based taxes." People that smoke cost the health care industry MUCH more than people that don't smoke. The extra taxes paid by smokers to support the extra cost of helping people when they get sick from smoking is right up my ally. These people increase the risk pool in the insurance world, and cost all us more in premiums. So, yes, they should pay more.
2. I don't believe in the Indian Treaties or the perks that go with them.
Maybe the nice little motorcycle border patrol people can set up check points at the reservations. Good idea James!
Whether you believe in the
Whether you believe in the treaties or not, they exist and should be honored as they were written and agreed to.
Sean In response to point
Sean
In response to point number 1, what are you going to do when the taxes force the smokers to change their behavior and tax revenue goes down forcing Albany to tax everyone else (because we know they won't stop spending)?
In response to point number 2, How can you not believe in them. They exist. That's like saying I don't believe in roads. But seriously, Do you believe churches should be tax exempt? Non-profit organizations?
If you put up a customs checkpoint at the Indian Reservation lines, no one will use the thruway to go west. Revenues on that highway will continue to fall and government being stupid will then raise the tolls and you will feel the pinch when prices of goods rise from the truckers that still use it.
The correct answer to this problem is to remove all behavior taxes. Liquor, tobacco, all of them. Then you won't have a smuggling problem.
Hi everyone - First, the
Hi everyone -
First, the taxes - Peter, you're right, we do need less taxes. But, that's not going to happen. I really really wish it would happen, but government will never un-tax. That would give them less control of our lives. The next best thing, I feel, are user based taxes - you use the services - you pay for them. You're also right about the behavior of smokers - fewer people smoke now than they did a few years ago because of the price of cigarettes - which means that as a non-smoker, I want to make sure that every smoker is paying for the services that they are going to need someday.
Secondly - the treaties. It's funny how we can renegotiate things with every other 'sovereign nation' in the world - but talk about the Indian reservations, and you've gone too far. I'm not going to get into the past, because that's a moot point - but I do think a renegotiation is necessary. (I'd like them gone personally, but I'm sure that won't happen.)
As for the roadblock - that was just a joke - I don't think we need to add the Thruway discussion on top of this also.