July 01, 2008 04:00 am
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&letterheadWritten
questions
To the Editor: The Plattsburgh Permanent Firefighter's Association values open discussion regarding matters of public concern. It is our hope that the media will provide objective and researched journalism. It is discouraging when the news is dominated by one side's unsubstantiated assertions and personal attacks. While it is expected that we advance our interests, it is essential that we respect the rights and dignity of others in doing so.
The New York State Public Employees Fair Employment Act imposes a requirement on public employers and public employee organizations to engage in good-faith negotiations and to abide by their agreements. If an alleged violation of an agreement arises, it is the duty of the union to represent its members fairly by assessing the merits and filing a timely grievance. If the matter cannot be resolved between the parties, it is brought before a neutral arbitrator for a binding decision.
In our agreement with the city, the losing party bears the expense of the arbitrator's fee. This serves as a deterrent to both frivolous violations and frivolous grievances.
If any member of the press or stakeholder in a matter of public concern wishes to request a statement from our organization, please place your request in writing and address it to Plattsburgh Permanent Firefighter's Association P.O. Box 311 Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or e-mail us at plattsburghfirefighters@charter.net.
Edmund Sanderson
Vice president
Plattsburgh Permanent Firefighters Association
Local 2421 of the IAFF
&letterheadPayments
due
TO THE EDITOR: Kiss a delegate good morning and to hell with the voters. You can even add socialism and have the ability of a concrete block and still become president of the strongest and freest nation on earth and step on the American flag.
You can deny the troops who gave their lives for our freedom and still be president but don't say the "f" word, the "n" word or a bunch of other vowels or consonants. Communism started the same way. Aren't you all lucky.
Oh, you'll still have Tim Russert and that nut from Hardball and Shuster, Bonior, Reid, Pellosi, Shumer, CNN and NBC. I guess I'll just go back to work because we'll be paying for this for many years. Congratulations.
Terry Daniels
Plattsburgh
&letterheadShocked at
suggestion
TO THE EDITOR: I don't believe in polls. I think polls are made up in newspaper offices when they need to fill a space in the latest edition.
However, the latest poll out claims the greatest problem in America is "Wasteful government spending."
I am shocked. Shocked, I say, to think our duly elected officials would waste the hard-earned taxes paid by their constituents.
There are questionable programs like NASA, a group of over-educated nerds who could never learn to run the fry machine at McDonald's.
We don't need useless programs like the CIA, FBI and especially Homeland Security, whose only accomplishment in seven years is arresting two one-pound blocks of cheese, with wines and an MIT co-ed with "I am a bomb" written on her shirt.
The program I'm mostly interested in is the search for the "ivory billed woodpecker" in eastern Arkansas. There has been $32 million appropriated for this farce. The last sightings of this bird were in 1944 by German prisoners of war working in the area.
But wait, there's more. Two natives Bubba and Billy Bob were fishing in the swamp lately and Bubba said to Billy "Look yonder, Billy, there's an ivory-billed woodpecker." Billy took another hit on that jug of shine and said "You're right, Bubba. Let's tell our senators."
The senators agreed that something should be done about this annoying discovery.
"Where are we gonna get the money for this project," said one senator to another. "Let's take it out of Social Security. They'll never know the difference. Besides we've already given them $20 a month. That should keep them in prunes for a while." The senators laughed.
It's more fun looking for woodpeckers than worrying about some old widow freezing to death.
Tom Randall
Merrill
&letterheadEllenburg
reuniting
TO THE EDITOR: Ellenburg Central School Reunion. Anyone who was fortunate enough to have been affiliated with the Ellenburg Central School system (1940-1970) are cordially invited to reunite with past classmates, teachers, administrators, etc., at the Ellenburg Center Fire station, located in Ellenburg Center, on Saturday, July 26, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Please bring your lawn chairs, coolers and any munchie you would like to share with others. Also, please feel free to bring any pictures, memorabilia, or other items you would like to share. Good stories always a plus!
Please spread the word to your family and friends, and if you have any suggestions or questions, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us.
Hope you will mark your calendar, and that you are able to attend.
Eunice and Jim LeClair
Churubusco
518-497-6793
e-mail: EunJimLeClair@yahoo.com
Jan Fullington
Milton, Vt.
802-893-7927
e-mail: dfullington@verizon.net
&letterheadSeason
under way
TO THE EDITOR: The Peru Youth Commission officially kicked off their 2008 baseball/softball season on Saturday, June 7 at Laphams Mills Recreational Park. We currently have 22 baseball/softball teams and four t-ball teams.
We would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all of the volunteer coaches and parents that participate in our program. Softball coaches include Leigh Tyler, Tina Frenyea, Anne Spear, Karen Bouchard, Rhonda Barber, Roy Ebersole, Kathy Flynn, Mike Lynn and Tom Daley.
Baseball coaches are Todd Carpenter, Jim Dynko, Greg Mills, Matt Crowley, Dave Casey, Jeff Prescott, Brandy McDonald, John Demarais, Dave Casey, Andy Guay, Steve Gagnier, Jim Reid and Scott McLean.
T-ball coaches are Cindy Mills, Kevin Manchester, Marty Remillard, Carrie Beattie, Marion Padron and April Miner.
Laphams Mills Recreational Park has turned into one of the nicest baseball/softball fields in New York State. A facility such as this needs constant attention and work. We would like to thank Greg Timmons, Mike Hanlon and Matt Houser for their time and dedication.
Willow Brook Nursery offers donations of mulch to this park. We would like to recognize them for their generosity and interest in the youth of Peru.
Each player received a water bottle donated by the Peru Association of Teachers and sponsored by the Clinton County DARE program.
The Peru Youth Commission members work to provide and ensure that the youth of our town are treated and offered the best programs possible, These men and women offer their time and thoughts toward constant improvements of our programs.
Members are Lisa Gonyo, Chairperson; Jim Reid, Susan Millett, Pat Uliva, Kay Barber, Michelle Post, Krista Brown, Greg Mills and Jim Dynko. Your time, interest and participation can never be matched. The Youth Commission is successful because of all that you contribute. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
John and Kathy Flynn
Peru
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