July 05, 2009 03:25 am
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Exemplary father
TO THE EDITOR: About 15 years ago, mother's diabetes took over her whole life (as well as my father's). She started having many major health issues in tiding heart and vision problems. She started losing the ability to walk without falling since the discs in her spine were deteriorating from the diabetes.
He helped her wherever she needed to go. She suffered great pain and relied on my father to take care of her, as well as my brother and myself. He jumped in with no questions asked and made sure we were taken care of when my mom was forced to retire much earlier than expected.
Just recently, the issues became more physical to the point of limb removal (loss of hand, fingers on remaining hand, leg, toes on remaining foot).
My father was forced to become a nurse, maid, cook, caretaker, and a husband/father. All this, after surviving throat cancer, grueling chemotherapy and radiation (losing his beloved beard and most of all, his spirit), yet he pushed on to be our rock.
No longer being able to eat solid foods, he dropped to a scary thin of 115 lbs., yet he still got up; tired and weak to bathe, feed, clothe and put my mother into and out of her wheelchair. Having the inability to afford a home health nurse, he continues to push on all by himself.
He drives my mother to dialysis (a forty minute drive from Lyon Mountain) every other day to keep her alive. He waits by her side for the four hours to make sure she has all her needs met and then drives her home to care for her. The love and drive this man encompasses is remarkable and I want him to know how much it means to me and how much I love him.
I want the world to see the love he shows to my family and want to show my love for him through this letter. Thank you dad for all you do and Happy Early Father's Day!!
Heather Long
Peru
Obstacle to change
TO THE EDITOR: In one editorial, you outlined the need for great change in the New York State Legislature while, at the same time, demonstrating why it will never happen.
In the editorial "Our problems are secondary" published June 16, you rail against the dysfunction of our government in Albany. You call the recent takeover of the Senate by Republicans and two (one?) Democrat and the subsequent wrangling for power "the grandest circus ever."
In sum, you accuse everyone in Albany of being far more concerned with their own power, control, and circus mastery than with actually governing; everyone that is, except our own state Sen. Betty Little.
"Don't Blame Little for what's going on down there" you say. "...there's not much she can do about it."
Hogwash.
She voted with all of her fellow Republican state senators in the initial takeover, didn't she? If she can't do anything about it, what in the world is she doing there in the first place? You may have unwittingly written her next opponent's best campaign slogan.
The Press-Republican has routinely railed against the horrible state of our state government and just as routinely absolved our own state representatives of any responsibility whatsoever for the mess. I bet local papers around the state do exactly the same thing ... and that is a huge obstacle to making the necessary changes in Albany.
Tim Dodd
Plattsburgh
Honesty, integrity
TO THE EDITOR: We recently had occasion to become personally acquainted with Mr. Paul Maroun. When we needed help to cut through some government red tape Mr. Maroun stepped up to help get our family the support we needed.
Over the past year we have found Mr. Maroun to be a man of honesty and integrity who keeps his word. With just one phone call Paul took time out from his busy schedule to solve the problems of one new family in his community.
As a veteran of military service himself, Paul understands the special needs of service members and their families. He knows the sacrifice military families make every day. Paul also knows what it takes to protect and defend our nation in a world that is growing more dangerous every day.
When Paul Maroun says he supports the troops he backs up his words with meaningful actions. We have found Mr. Maroun to possess the common-sense conservative values that founded our great country.
Paul Maroun is not some big-city politician, he is one of us and he knows first hand the unique needs and problems faced by people in the North Country. If Paul is going to succeed against the political machines in Albany and NYC he's going to need the grass roots support of everyone who loves our country and our community. We are supporting Paul Maroun to represent us in the 23rd Congressional District. Please support Paul Maroun for Congress.
Fred and Danielle Mason
Tupper Lake
Stern remedy
TO THE EDITOR: The recent antics and stalemate of our New York State Senate have once again humiliated and mocked the voters. Once again we are reminded in no uncertain terms of Albany's reputation as possibly the most ineffective, corrupt and self-serving state government in the nation. I have a simple four-step plan to remedy the situation.
1. Fire the entire Senate, both sides of the aisle. 2. Ban all current members, and their staff, from serving in Albany again, ever. 3. Form a mob. Go to the current members', and their staffs', homes. Drag them, and their families, from their homes. Tar and feather them all. March them all through the Capitol District. They will then know how we who elected them feel right now. 4. Elect only new members who run on a platform of reform and of dedication to serve the people of this state.
If we follow this plan, then I believe in the years to come we will eventually recover from our embarrassment and regain at least some pride and self-respect. Imagine how our lives could be if we had effective and responsible leadership?
Ben Wright
Plattsburgh
PR for forts
TO THE EDITOR: Regarding your 6/14/09 Sunday Spectrum article, "Area observes 400th anniversary of Samuel D. Champlain."
Good job on Champlain's venture down to our Chimney Point, at Crown Point, and our Lighthouse Monument, with its Auguste Rodin sculptor, although brief in description.
However, on page C-10, your article was entirely devoted to the much commercialized Fort Ti, once again. Fort Ti came in to being much later than Forts Frederic and Crown Point. All of these alleged historians should really do their homework, as Champlain did not venture down to Fort Ti or engage the Iroquois there. This is a falsehood to think that he did, as Fort Ti was not even in existence in 1609.
Our older "stone-henge type" of ruins do not meet Fort Ti's commercial standards, but they are authentic ruins cut out of the cliffs of Bulwagga Bay. Check it out. The are not rebuilt with the mortars of the nineteenth century. Yet, this article was great PR for Fort Ti!
God Bless our Forts Frederic and Crown Point. God Bless America.
Bob Spring
Crown Point
Gracias, Amigos
TO THE EDITOR: Thank you for acknowledging the charitable work our groups do for the children of the Dominican Republic in your Cheers and Jeers section last Monday, June 6.
Our group clients, calling themselves Tommy's Amigos, have been bringing school supplies to the children of the Dominican Republic for the past 20 years. Many of the early recipients of these supplies are parents of the children we help today. While it is nice to be given the credit for these acts of kindness, it would not be possible without the help and support of our local community.
The following people deserve to be acknowledge for their kindness and generosity.
The Student Council of the Peru Middle School under the guidance of Mrs. Dianne Menard has worked tirelessly to raise funds to send school supplies and hygiene products to each student over the last few years. This year Bob Smith and Julie Kramer of Nine Platt donated 200 Frisbees to the school, which was one of the children's favorite gifts. Sandy Pfile, general manager of the Barcelo Punta Cana Premium Resort and Spa invites the entire student body to spend an all-inclusive day at the resort twice a year. At Christmastime the children meet and receive presents from Santa Claus. Ms. Pfile and her staff arrange for a variety of games and foods for the children to have a very pleasant experience.
Most important of all are Tommy's Amigos, who are always willing to transport the supplies in their luggage and spend part of their vacation visiting and hosting a picnic with the children.
Muchas gracias, Amigos.
Tommy Condon
Tommy Condon Tours
Peru
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