Fundraiser successful
TO THE EDITOR: We would like to convey our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the individuals and organizations that made our cystic fibrosis fundraising events so successful. These events included the Great Strides Walk-a-thon held on May 30 in Plattsburgh, Soccer United bottle drive held the same day, fundraising events at the AVCS schools, participation at the Jay aid station during the 2009 Ironman event in July, the Cystic Fibrosis garage sale held in Plattsburgh in August and the third annual Mexican Fiesta for Cystic Fibrosis held in AuSable Forks on Sept. 19. These events helped raise much-needed funds to be used for ongoing research, clinical trials and improvement in treatments to fight this disease.

We are very fortunate to have the support and help of so many people including family members, friends, parents, students, coaches, teammates, teachers, businesses and co-workers. We appreciate the many donations we received; both in cash and products and also the hard work of the many individuals who helped organize and work the various events.

Because of everyone's generosity and support, these events raised approximately $38,000. These much-needed funds will continue to be used to help develop new medical treatments and drug therapies to improve the quality of life for those with Cystic Fibrosis, and to some day find a cure.

If you are interested in learning more about this disease and the ongoing research to eradicate it, visit www.cff.org. Thank you.

Kim Colby

The Colby family

And friends of Meg

AuSable Forks

Government efficiency?
TO THE EDITOR: If you believe government can run the health-care system more efficiently than free enterprise, you have fallen down a rabbit hole and are living in Wonderland. What is "government efficiency" and where is it hiding? Is ignorance so widespread that a majority of Americans believe this fairy tale?

Wake up and watch for oncoming traffic. Social Security and Medicare are bankrupt, The Postal Service and Amtrak are running at a loss and even OTB is losing money. Yes, the mob can make money running gambling operations and the government can't. Last but not least is the Mustang Ranch in Nevada, a tax evading bordello taken over by the same government that wants to run health insurance, and the bureaucrats failed to turn a profit. Do you want to put the fat of your health finances into the hands of people too incompetent to make money selling sex and booze to tourists?

If you want a glimpse into the pits of hell only hinted at in "Dante's Inferno," watch a movie by Michael Moore or listen to the ravings of Bill Maher and imagine that people like this will soon be behind the curtain pulling levers to decide if you live or die. Like Capt. Ahab, liberal Democrats will stab at us from hell's heart by wielding the eternal lance of socialized medicine long after they have been dragged into the abyss.

Leo J. Seney

Dannemora

Accessibility crucial
TO THE EDITOR: A reminder to all the people on the planning committees for the holiday season: when choosing a location for your celebrations make sure you visit the site for accessibility. Check for available parking spaces. If there are steps, does it have a ramp, is the front door easy to open, can a wheelchair pass, are aisles at least 36-inches wide?

Just because the rest room has grab bars does not make it ADA accessible. ADA requires a clear area of 60-inch diameter for a wheelchair to maneuver in the room.

If you're in doubt or skeptical of whether a place is accessible, contact us for assistance.

John Farley

Accessibility consultant

North Country Center for Independence

Plattsburgh