July 04, 2008 04:00 am
—
&letterheadHardship
for farmers
TO THE EDITOR: The Clinton County Farm Bureau Board of Directors is opposed to the closing of the Hayford Road in Champlain. The closure is being considered to allow the construction of a railroad siding for CP Rail. This will result in the road being dead ended at either side of the railroad crossing.
The rail company claims that it needs to build a place to park trains to be inspected near the Canadian border and to allow for increased train traffic. The closure will, however, create a hardship on local farmers who depend on the road to get from field to field. They will be required to travel several extra miles and to drive their farm machinery through residential neighborhoods thus creating a potentially dangerous situation. This road is also critical for fire and rescue operations and reduces traffic through the village of Rouses Point.
While the CCFB board of directors do not doubt the need for a siding they do question the need to build it in such a location. Members of the Clinton County Farm Bureau will attend a meeting with the Department of Transportation scheduled for July 8 to help find a solution to this problem.
Kirby Selkirk
Field adviser
New York Farm Bureau
&letterhead30th reunion
for AVCS
TO THE EDITOR: The AuSable Valley Class of 1978 is announcing their 30th Class Reunion, Aug. 2 at the Comfort Inn in Plattsburgh.
We are still looking for help in contacting several classmates and would appreciate any help you can provide. They are:
Sherry Archambault (Mccabbe), Theresa Aubin (Scapitici), Donna Baker (Torraca), Penny Baker, Mark Blaise, Michael Brooks, Cheryl Brown, Kevin Camarie, Laura Cassidy, Michael Changelo, Cheryl Chauvin (Pastizzo), Leonard Colby, William Corrigan, Susan Doherty (Jackson), Deborah Drinkwine (Jones), Jamie Fisk (Woods), Michael Fleury, Lorena Fraizer (Degroat), Linda Gaboriau, Lisa Hammond (Updike), Avi Heller, Louise Houle, Trudy Joyal (Hall), Stan Krajeski, Bonnie Lashua (Mintzer), Larry Lawrence, Tammy LeClere (Fields), Wayne Mann, Rosanne Marino, Cindy McCormick (O'Keefe), Mary Mischler, Sue O'Connor, Nancy Patnode, Bonnie Pelkey, Elizabeth Prentiss, David Rule, Brian Rushford, Brian Shumway, Anastasia Skufca (Lytle), Charles Snow, Thom Sorrell, Julia Thomas, Kathy Walsh, Daniel White, Peter Gladu, Howard Gumlaw, Julie Lagoy, Kenneth Lesnowski.
Any local classmates that have not yet been contacted, please call Randy Pray at 834-9183 or Wally Pulsifer at 647-5460.
If you have any questions or would like to help in the planning of this reunion, we look forward to hearing from you. Please use the above information. Thank you for your help and we hope to see you at our reunion.
Randy Pray
Keeseville
Wally Pulsifer
Ausable Forks
&letterheadHardly
affluent
TO THE EDITOR: The Press-Republican has recently dealt twice with the tax issue concerning Lake Forest and Pine Harbour. As residents of Lake Forest, most of us were very disturbed by what was written, and we question where the writers are acquiring their information. The main purpose in writing this letter is to challenge the misconceptions the writers stated in respect to the financial standings of the residents.
We were stunned to find ourselves described as "mostly fairly affluent". According to the dictionary, the word "affluent" is synonymous with "rich, wealthy or loaded." While it may be possible that a few residents' financial standings might be described as comfortable, we are quite sure that for the very large majority of us the word "affluent" is far from accurate. The biased question in the editorial, "Should the less affluent Plattsburghers be obliged to pay for those residents?" was most unfortunate, as its purpose seemed to be to create animosity. It was interesting to note that neither writer mentioned the taxes Lake Forest already pays on the duplex houses.
We are truly a senior group with over 80 percent of us being well into our 80s and 90s who retired many, many years ago when salaries were far less than they are today. As pension payments were determined by salaries, they are also far smaller. Monthly incomes of some residents are such that we have a Good Samaritan Fund, which is available for residents who need help in meeting expenses. With the exception of the duplex houses, for which Lake Forest already pays taxes, the majority of the residents live in pleasant one-bedroom apartments. The building is very attractive and comfortable. We have a lovely dining room and a good-sized activity room. Are those the reasons why some people consider us to be affluent?
We realize that our rent, which has been raised every year, will undoubtedly be raised more this year due to the huge jump in the price of gas, food, services, etc., and to the lower interest rates. Our monthly rent here takes a good part of our income. The thought of the tremendous tax mentioned in the paper being added to the cost of living here is frightening. We hope that the people involved in the tax question will deal with correct information rather than misconceptions stated in the paper.
Florence C. Callahan
Plattsburgh
Also signed by Phyllis C. Barnard, Nancy Collin, Dorothy Lacombe, Gladys G. McShane, Gloria Bujold, Leonard Snow, Claire Remillard, Marie J. McGrath, Elizabeth E. Brush
&letterheadPositive for
community'
TO THE EDITOR: I am writing in response to a letter published Sunday, June 8, regarding the use of fire apparatus for an event outside of district.
In this time of rising costs, one can understand the concern. However, was any thought given to the positive effect such community interaction has? And when I say "community," I by no means limit that to the boundaries of a district, town, or county. For, in an area such as the North Country, "community" goes beyond these boundaries.
If one goes with the concept that equipment or resources should be used only during true emergencies then what would become of many "community" functions like parades, softball tournaments, county fairs, and fund raisers? Such events are able to go on because out-of-district departments participate. It is events like these that give us our sense of community. It is this type of donation of resources that builds a sense of camaraderie between area districts and fosters an environment where everyone works for the good of the community. But, if this is instead seen as "misuse" of taxpayer monies or property then all of these events would come to an end, for all require the use of outside resources.
Please don't misunderstand; I agree that there needs to be a system of checks and balances. And, such a system does exist in our ability to vote for district commissioners and to attend district meetings and voice our opinions. These are our opportunities to have a say in how our money is spent. We need to put our trust in the people we elect and take action not to place them back in office if we feel they have done a poor job.
I honestly don't feel this is a question of whether or not we can afford to volunteer our services for such events, but rather, can we, as a community, afford not to.
Jody L. Schissler
AuSable Forks
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.