Trivial news
With two wars going on, the economy in the tank, global warming melting the icecaps, our health-care system in dire straits, how can what passes as a "free press" spend time and space on the trivia of whether the first lady should show her arms or what the president chooses to put on a hamburger? Get serious!

Appalled
Being a music teacher in a district in Essex County, I am disappointed and appalled that instrumental music was cut at Willsboro School. We have two music teachers in our district, and we have problems covering all that we need to. We need to satisfy state standards, and we can barely accomplish that with two teachers. It is impossible for the students in Willsboro to receive the necessary music instruction with a half-time teacher. The main issue is the students. Do not deny them something they deserve to have as part of their education.

Music
I wonder if Steve Broadwell and the Board of Education in Willsboro have any idea what they are doing. I am speaking of the fact that they are cutting instrumental music next year. I am sure they do not realize what an impact this move will have on the kids and the community. I cannot imagine Willsboro without a band. And, in my opinion, I should not have to.

Spayed
To the person who is upset about their neighbor trying to trap their cat. Is your cat spayed or neutered? It sounds like you don't have a friendly neighbor. Have you tried talking to him about this? If you have and he still does this, please keep your cat inside. Please, everyone, get your cats fixed, and this will help with the problem of feral cats.

Band
It is very upsetting to see so many comments of Willsboro Central School band being cut. Ask any High School band member from the past five years and you will find out the reason the program has been cut. The kids love music, but the program has not been successful, and that is why so many students have dropped out of band. Some stayed in band despite this and hope to have a new and better program reinstated in the future. Don't blame the board.

Prom
Just wondering if the people in the Town of Mooers know what one of their firetrucks was doing in Altona on May 9th. Wouldn't the taxpayers like to know that the truck was used to drop off some juniors to their prom. We noticed it as we drove by — what a waste of taxpayers money in that town, and what if there had been an emergency in that town at the time

Slow site
I received P-R home delivery for decades before becoming an economic refugee relocating away from the Champlain Valley. I keep in touch with my home of 45 years by reading the P-R on line. The P-R Web site is hands down the slowest that I visit. Often, banner ads run several cycles before your main page loads. I am sure your online readers will agree that it is time to upgrade your server or perhaps time to reconsider the band width used for banner ads. Warm regards to the people of the North Country from a Wyeth refugee.

Work ethic
I sit here, depressed and full of guilt, as I realize that I taught my kids the work ethic and told them if you work hard, you'll be a success. I lied. Now I know that if you sit on your butt and whine and live off the taxpayer's money, you will be successful. You'll have just as much, if not more, than the working-class slob. You and your family will get a free education, health insurance, food, everything you need to live. Why work? Sit home, relax. We working-class idiots will pay your way.