&letterheadNo pets' problem

TO THE EDITOR: I wrote a Letter to the Editor in June of last year. I was searching for my first apartment and was frustrated to find that absolutely no one wanted to rent to me due to having a cat named Sylvio, a very well cared-for cat.

At my current residence, I had to write a very convincing letter begging my landlord not to refuse my companion. I was very lucky that my landlord had a change of heart and allowed me to pay a deposit. In return, she got a tenant that pays rent in full and on time every month, and gets along with no complaints.

Now I find myself trapped once again in the vicious "no pets" cycle. My lease is up in August, and I have to move to a one bedroom, since I will be by myself this time around and paying rent on my own. I have been searching for some time, and I am still running into the same problem I was before -- astronomical rent -- and no pets allowed.

To the Landlords: Give us a break! It is hard enough to find an affordable apartment when you don't have a pet, let alone the stress of finding one if you do. If someone has a pet, why not have a pet interview to look at the animal yourself. It isn't difficult to tell by sight if an animal is well-mannered and taken care of. People like myself are having to sacrifice their animals because they cannot find a place to live where they can keep them. I refuse to give up Sylvio. When I adopted him, I made a commitment to take care of him for the rest of his life. This includes having shelter for the both of us.

To The Renters: Take care of your animals! It is because of irresponsible pet owners that people like me are not allowed to have them in their apartments. If you do not want to spend the time, energy, or money it takes to have a pet, do not own one.

Hopefully, there will come a time when I will be able to find a place where Sylvio and I will be welcome and may even make an addition to our little gang. Until then, I will be a casualty in the war between pets and landlords.

Janessa M. Harmon

Plattsburgh

&letterheadMeals enabled

TO THE EDITOR: Spring has finally sprung? The long winter is history (I hope).

I want to express thanks from the patrons of Trinity Community meal and myself to all of the public-spirited groups that help make it possible: the Presbyterian Church, the Unitarians and the Assembly of God, Mike Lynche, the Kiwanis clubs, school groups, Girl Scouts and Amy Rascoe and her crew from Sodexo. They all team together to create the wholesome meals that are served at Trinity. Thank you all.

Frank Pabst

Plattsburgh