For the past few months, we at the Adirondack Townhouse Condominiums have watched in total dismay as the City of Plattsburgh School District has literally decimated one of the few remaining forested areas of the city. Our Homeowners Association was originally advised that there were potential plans to add an additional ball field behind the existing tennis courts at the high school and that a "buffer" area of trees would remain between the ball field and our property line. Why the athletes could not continue to use fields that are in close proximity to the school is beyond our understanding.

For reasons that still baffle all of us, the district has chosen to destroy this section of woods. We have been advised that this planned ball field has no set date for being built, nor any concrete architectural or engineering plans and the buffer zone is all but non-existent. The district has chosen to spend a phenomenal amount of money on destroying all of the trees in this area with total disregard for: 1) the environmental impact, 2) the surrounding community members, 3) the wildlife habitat and 4), and most importantly, the fact that any funds for this proposed project might better be used for educational purposes as opposed to a baseball diamond which impacts only a very limited number of students.

Besides ruining the esthetics of lower Adirondack Lane, this disappointing and almost irresponsible act on the part of the district has effectively ruined residential values in all of the surrounding area. Was any thought whatsoever given to this possible consequence? What kind of a lesson is being taught to the high-school students who are constantly being reminded that we must protect and conserve our environment, be a good neighbor, preserve wildlife and use taxpayer assets for education first? As the adage goes, if you're going to talk the talk, you must walk the walk.

Plattsburgh City School district has one of the highest school-tax rates in the area. If monies for this destruction were provided by the state, what persons or representatives are responsible for allowing them to be spent in this manner? How thoroughly was this thought through by anyone?

If any persons are interested in viewing the abomination please feel free to drive down Adirondack Lane.