Cheers and Jeers: June 15, 2009

June 15, 2009 03:25 am

— CHEERS: To State Police Trooper Brian Raymond for his tenacious pursuit — across international lines, even — of someone who had taken a teenager's purse. Montreal resident Lorne Mayers tells us that back in May, his 13-year-old daughter, Allie, tried on clothes in Target and left her purse in the dressing room by mistake. It had only $20 in it, but also contained her camera, iPod touch and other electronics worth about $700. Mayers said they reported the crime, never expecting to see the purse again. But Trooper Raymond watched Target surveillance video until he spotted someone leaving the store with the purse, figured out that the people had used a Visa, checked numbers for Visa purchases during that time and tracked down the address of the offender. It was a Canadian. So he called the thief and suggested she return the bag she had "found" in the dressing room. The woman recognized she had made a big mistake, Mayers said, and still had the purse and all its contents, so arrangements were made for its return. The Target people must also have felt for Allie, because they sent her a gift card to make up for the trouble she had suffered in their store. Some might say Raymond was just doing his job, but we know that not every officer would put such effort into a case involving a missing purse.

CHEERS: to the Plattsburgh YMCA and Board President Rick Martindale for a fun and successful musical fundraiser Sunday. The Y, with the help of corporate sponsors, brought the Celtic rock band Hair of the Dog to the Naked Turtle for an all-ages show. Even with unseasonably cold weather and showers, about 400 people attended. According to Kevin Killeen, the Y executive director/CEO, more than $4,000 was raised. Killeen credits Martindale for the success and says the Y will definitely repeat the fundraiser next year.

JEERS: to people who — wait until you hear this one — stop by the Press-Republican parking lots, disassemble our used-cigarette receptacles and withdraw the biggest butts so they can light up. We have these tall, thin devices designed to toss smoked cigarettes into before entering the building, where smoking is not permitted. Astonishingly, some people are so hard up for a drag or two that they go to these lengths to satisfy their cravings for free. This is a pain in the neck for the people who look after our buildings and grounds but a sad commentary on the depth of the addiction some people have for tobacco.

CHEERS: to WPTZ, WCAX, Mountain Lake and other television stations that are seen in our region for alleviating the anxiety and complications of the federally mandated switch from analog to digital signals June 12. The stations in our area all decided it would be best for the customers to begin the transition early, so everything here was done between February and April. While much of the rest of the nation was forced to contend with the abruptness of the move, the North Country had already adjusted, or at least had had the opportunity to adjust.