July 08, 2008 04:00 am
—
&letterheadDirector
impugned
TO THE EDITOR: Ever since I read the front-page story nearly a month ago, I have been shaken by the misrepresentation of Pyramids Child Development Center and the impugned reputation of its founding director, Mellisa Felicelli.
There are always two sides to a story, and it certainly seems that Melissa Felicelli and Pyramids have not had a fair opportunity to present theirs. Implied judgment by front-page journalism which, in my opinion, was incomplete and unexpectedly biased, is unworthy of good, small-town newspaper reporting. I am disappointed and fret for an appropriately balanced presentation of the facts.
A truly transformative, compassionate and effective educational concept was developed by Melissa and realized through endless hours of labor, the high energy of conviction and the desire to better serve a needy population. The creative renovation of an entirely empty school building was undertaken, and the implementation of a truly imaginative curriculum, which served handicapped and other pre-school children was carried out, successfully, by Melissa and a truly dedicated staff. They are to be applauded in a role-model situation.
I taught yoga to these wonderful staff people, and my three grandchildren have attended and benefited by participation in this unique program. There is no hesitation in my conviction that Melissa is a person of complete integrity and absolute commitment. If some kind of problem has arisen, it will be because of the complexity of her achievement.
I trust that her side of the story will receive equal pronouncement.
Lola Johnson
Chazy
&letterheadBoard
disrespectful
TO THE EDITOR: When five AuSable Valley Central School seniors were trying to explain their class's actions, they were publicly humiliated at a recent board meeting.
When they finished their prepared statement, one board member began to interrogate them. As she was asking questions and placing blame, the seniors were not able to say anything in their own defense. As soon as one senior began to say something, she was cut off and told that she was lying. Even before these teenagers spoke, a decision about the topic had apparently already been decided and the board seemed to be trying to intimidate them and keep them from speaking.
The board member had absolutely no right to tell the five high-school seniors that they have "no character," nor to speak to them in the disrespectful and discourteous manner that she did. It was obvious that the board did not have all of the facts about the situation and they did not seem to want to be informed or listen to the students' side of the story.
Kasey J. Snow
AuSable Forks
&letterheadBabe Ruth
grateful
TO THE EDITOR: Plattsburgh Babe Ruth baseball would like to take this opportunity to thank all its 2008 sponsors. Plattsburgh Babe Ruth relies heavily on donations to cover the costs associated with running the league and without their generosity this season would not have been possible.
Many thanks to the team sponsors, Elk's Club, The local unions for the City Fire Department and the City Police Department, Kiwanis Club, McSweeney's, and Play it Again Sports. Our gratitude also goes out to SUNY Plattsburgh for the use of the Chip Cummings field for opening day.
A special thanks to all the local businesses that donated to the opening day program: Goldie's Grocery, Mangia's Restaurant, Durocher Auto, Adirondack Landscape & Lawn Care, Lake Champlain OB-GYN., Plattsburgh Moose Lodge 2390, Richard J. Dame, Parker Chevrolet-Pontiac, The Satellite Guy, Robert Ira Adler MD, Griffith Energy, Plattsburgh Ford, Butcher Block, H.E. Automotive, Ronnie's Michigan Stand, Valcour Imaging, Lake Champlain Weekly, Studley Printing & Publishing, Dubrey's Service Station, Drew Automotive Inc., Dave's TV, G&G Tires, Pennysaver, and Meron's. Also, thank you to the City of Plattsburgh for the use of their fields and for the hard work they do on them throughout the year and the Elks Club for the excellent spaghetti dinner the club sponsored.
Finally, our gratitude to all coaches, assistant coaches and all other volunteers for their contributions to the league. All of the above businesses and people have made it possible to give our teenagers the opportunity to play summer baseball again this year.
Loren Latulipe
President
Plattsburgh Babe Ruth
&letterheadShort-sighted
governance
TO THE EDITOR: How sad it is to read the ongoing incidences of political bickering in Plattsburgh. As I read the Albany Times Union daily and follow all the serious issues cities face, I can't help but feel very sad that Plattsburgh has fallen prey to shortsighted, control-driven governance.
Plattsburgh is a little jewel in a beautiful area, but no amazing growth with take place in this current climate. Look across the lake to Burlington and what it has become, with its cultural, educational, and civic progressiveness. This could be you, Plattsburgh!
Some day, I'd like to return to the North Country, some day when there is something more attractive than denying an energetic worker city time to attend a gathering at which he will receive an honor. Please consider the "big picture," Mayor.
Rev. Sally Chase White
Ballston Spa
&letterheadSorry
for splash
TO THE EDITOR: I would like to formally apologize to an unknown pedestrian whom I accidentally splashed with my car on Wednesday, June 18 around 2:45 p.m.
I was driving toward the Stewart's on Rugar Street on my way to work when I accidently splashed a young girl with a puddle. Judging by the time of day and the area, I presume it was a high school student. She had shoulder length blonde hair, a blue jacket and blue jeans.
If someone knows who this person might be, please extend my deepest apologies. I, too, have been splashed, as I'm sure many of you have, and I know it is very unpleasant.
Nick Chowske
Plattsburgh
&letterheadNCCS class
reunion
TO THE EDITOR: The NCCS graduating class of 1978 is having a reunion on July 26 at the North Country Golf Club starting at 6 p.m. at the North Country Golf Course, Champlain, N.Y. The cost is $20 per person for munchies that will be served throughout the evening.
We are still looking for the following classmates. If anyone has addresses for the following could you please call Cheryl (Ashline) Trombley at 236-7502, Karen (Rowe) Delaney at 236-5667 or Diane and Richard LaFontaine at 298-8705:
Diane Agrella (Tappin), Eileen Ashline, Crystal Bedard, Crystele Bergeron (Provost), Susan Myatt (Bechard), Mark Bellum, Becky Colonna, Debra Copp, Scott Cornell, Phillip Cox, Mike Deforge, Brian Ducharme, Linda Duprey, Jeff Garrant, Linda Vega (Hebert), Jeff Gooley, Brenda Hall (Coupal), Greg Hislop, Lori Hutchinson (Smith), Carol Juneau, Sean Maher, Carol Rabideau, Mark Wilson, Darlene Hilliker (Hicks), Susan Milosovich, Kathryn Keable, Susan Smith (Garrand), Lee Smith, Bruce St. Andrew, Sue Ewart, and Michael Wojcik.
Karen Delaney
Mooers
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