Speakout: April 16, 2009

April 16, 2009 05:59 am

— Freedom of speech
To the person who wrote "Violation" in Speakout. The students had permission from their parents to do this walkout, and I have to say that they were well behaved, and when Mr. Fairchild asked them to return to class, they did without any problems whatsoever. They have the right to protest and voice their opinion as well as everyone else. After all, they are the ones that will be suffering the consequences of Mr. Fairchild not getting tenure. He, of all persons, deserves tenure. Have you not watched the news when this occurred; did you not hear what was said? There has been a very positive change in the school since he has taken over.

Land buying
Once again, New York state is in a budget crisis. This seems to happen every year, and again I am sure that in a few months the state will announce again that it is buying more land from private owners. Then making it "Forever Wild," which means we own it but can't use it and taking it off the tax rolls so the common working man has to pay more in taxes. If the state wants to save money, it should stop buying up all the land in the North Country.

Cuts
As an employee of DOCS for 20 plus years, I've read many memos from the commissioner and governor on how the department is in a budget crisis and every time they want to cut from the bottom (correction staff). Just like Citi and AIG, they cry poverty and cut from the bottom but keep their perks such as free state housing for commissioners and assistant commissioners, superintendents, deputy superintendents, free vehicle for them, free gas, while cutting jobs of the people at the bottom with families to feed.

Unsightly
The power/utility lines when entering the City of Plattsburgh on Route 9 south are hung so haphazardly I can hardly believe they are code. Even if they do meet code, it is so unsightly with lines hanging down, big conductors or units left hanging in the middle between poles. If this is any representation of the work of MLD, they should be ashamed. Next time the city representatives drive this route, look at the lines like you were entering the city for the first time and what do you think of the quality of this work?

Easter hat
Lost Easter hat! My daughter had a great time gathering eggs at the CVPH Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks for such a wonderful event. After the event I discovered that my daughter's Easter hat had blown off in the strong wind. She was wearing it over her hood and didn't feel it come off. We spent a long time looking for it. If you've found a little girl's tan/straw weave hat with a pink cotton band around it and a bow, please return it to the front desk at CVPH. She has been crying over the loss of it.

Nudges
Obama has social behavorists on his staff. One of his favorite books, "Nudge," outlines how people's behaviors can be changed with the right "nudges." To change, people need to realize monetary gains. (Promises for a prosperous country that will take care of their needs.) They need to feel connections as part of a group. To go against the group would leave them out of the inner circle. (Voting for the young, hip guy was cool and they wanted to be part of his cool group, too.) Is his rhetoric nudging you now to accept his out-of-control spending?

Helpful hints
I keep two towels under sink bar, one for dishes and one for hands (use two different colors). For just two of us, I peel and cook potatoes once a week, ready to reheat, mash, homefries or potato salad. During World War II, we had a fuel shortage. This works for hard-boiled eggs. Bring eggs and water to a rolling boil, shut off heat, cover and let stand at least 15 minutes. Do the same for pasta on second boil; cover and let stand to desired tenderness.

Socialism
Follow the socialist yellow brick road. Obama clearly stated he was going to transform our country and "spread the wealth." He lured the young and poor and uneducated with promises to take care of them. He's in the process of nationalizing the banks and large corporations that might endanger the welfare of our economy. He has redirected anger by vilifying Wall Street and the rich. Polls are now being taken to see if people prefer capitalism or socialism. We, too, can become like Germany and France. All it will take is 50 percent of our incomes. Are you ready?

No support
Support correction officers? Are you kidding me? Perhaps it is a few bad guards who have ruined it for the rest of you. But to hear first hand COs talk of sleeping on the job, taking home cases of garbage bags, food and toothbrushes, clocking in for each other so they can be late or not show at all? All on my tax dollars! The COs who don't break the law turn their heads and let fellow employees steal from every taxpayer in some form or another. So, support correction officers? No way!

Abuse
Hats off to the 16-year-old who wrote in on discipline. Most kids are raised with high morals. Seems any child can make anything up and report parents because they feel chores are abuse. Sad, but this is why it is so hard to have any control over your own children today. Seems its okay for the teenagers to swear and swing at the parents. If you try to restrain them, its abuse.

Ban guns
End the killings. Ban hand guns.

Predator
The confessed sexual predator and former N.Y. state representative Chris Ortloff is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23. Parents (and the judge) should read the Pre-Trial Affidavit. You can find it at www.wcax.com. Seach for Ortloff and then look for The Ortloff Affidavit. Warning: The material in the document is graphic in nature. But it does show why he needs to be behind bars for the full 10 years and not living in a neighborhood with young children.

Respond
I would like to address the parent that was in Wal-Mart yesterday with their child and lost them. It came over the intercom that a missing child was at the fitting rooms. The parent then went over and grabbed and yanked on their child. People wonder why there is so much child abuse out there! It's because the Wal-Mart employees that witnessed this just sat there and watched this parent yank their child around. People need to wake up and do something before it's too late for that child, not just stand there and say, "I knew that would happen!"

Water
With the state of the economy the way it is and all the cuts that Gov. Paterson is making, why should the Village of Rouses Point be wasting money on a dilapidated rail station when their water system has been in violation for the water. Priorities are really mixed up! I'd rather have safe drinking water.

Change?
According to the news today, French commandos freed four hostages, killed two Somalia pirates and captured three. In 2008 they performed two other such operations. Now we have two American citizens imprisoned in North Korea, an American citizen imprisoned in Iran and an American-flagged vessel attacked by Somali pirates and an American sea captain taken hostage. American citizens are being attacked and what is our president doing about all of this? He is making speeches about being friends with Muslims, raising our taxes and giving money to people who dont work. Is this the change we can believe in?

Interaction
I am not as much against having new seats at Regal Cinemas as I am about knowing where the group of employees who used to work there have gone. My family doesn't go to the movies as often because the experience is not the same. Seeing smiles on the employee's faces and joking with them enriches the movie experience. The 16-year-old employees who work there now don't interact like the other group of employees did. In the last two or three years, our favorite employees are no where to be found. I miss them. Please come back.

V&T law
Are law-enforcement officers required to use the New York driving laws, like signaling, stopping at stop signs, etc.? If they are not in pursuit, I'm pretty sure they are supposed to be accountable and represent the law by the book that they write tickets from, aren't they? Or is it because they are law enforcement they don't have to follow our rules and can do what they want? This is not directed at one agency but all the law-enforcement agencies in the North Country. Practice what you write tickets for. Obey the law and make an example.

Restrict guns
I hope that President Obama does the right and just thing by concentrating on augmenting our existing gun-control laws. Given the recent rash of mass killings by people with both legally held and illegally held guns gives real urgency to this dormant issue. Restrict the guns, restrict the killings.

Confusion
It is the TOWN of Chesterfield and the TOWN of AuSable. There are no such places as Chesterfield and AuSable.

Politics

It's plain and clear why Dan Stewart has recently been seen in public making speeches -- maybe he is eyeing a political comeback? Dan, how can you expect this area to support you after your tenure as mayor? You can't even decide which party you belong to, although its clear to this reader that you just switched so you can protect your job.

Tenure
Mr. Fairchild is an invaluable asset to PHS. Unlike some members of the administration, he takes the time to listen to students. He has an important connection with the students that previous principals have not had. Please do PHS some good and grant Mr. Fairchild tenure.

Art
To answer the person who said the artwork in the new airport doesn't represent the Adirondacks. Plattsburgh is not in the Adirondack Park so why display artwork of it there?

Beliefs
Nice sentiment expressed from the writer who has come to understand the Easter Sunday traditions of the egg hunt and such within their belief system. They may not be aware how many Christian traditions were adopted into Christian practices by ruling parties -- often mandated by the governments -- in order to keep the peace between their pagan and non-pagan communities (religious syncretism). There are many who call themselves servants of Jesus Christ who opt not to have anything to do with these holidays. Of course, many of these holy days/holidays are practiced by non-followers of Christ as well.

Tax cuts
Too much U.S. debt? Conservatives are wrong when they think tax cuts will solve our problems. Tax cuts will not build roads, bridges or educate our children. Conservatives dont care about the middle class or the poor; all they care about is getting rich. Ive read articles written by conservatives here in the North Country that want the same old Bush policies. I have no sympathy for these people; they will have to start paying taxes again! Why? Because its time to put Americans back to work, help the poor and educate our children. It's time for the trickle down!

Green
I'm all for green, but you have to start thinking of green as in money for the City of Plattsburgh, not spending for your own cause.

Economics
Conservatives claim to have all the answers and think that being able to recite a handful of simplistic talking points on economic issues is actually the same as having any understanding of economics. When things go wrong under their rule (as they generally do), they are also experts at shifting the blame and never taking responsibility for the consequences of their own policies.

Prisons
If DOCS wants to save money by closing facilities they should start at the city. Bayview Correctional Facility sits right in downtown Manhattan. There are only about 300 inmates housed there. The state could close it and sell the property. I am willing to bet it's worth over $100 million dollars on the real estate market.

School boards
In several Speakout comments there have been a reference to at least two board of education entities being manipulated by the "powerful" teachers union as they debate tenure for the two prinicpals. Actually in these two cases it's not even debate; it's crony discourse! Anyhow, there are no "powerful teachers unions." The truth of the matter is they are paper tigers and both of those boards have no backbone or experience, for that matter, in dealing with a labor-management environment. Petition to remove them all now, don't wait until their term ends. This can be done. Our kids deserve better!

Deployed
I wish that the Press would write a feature about the local men and women who are serving in the military and especially those who are deployed. It would be nice to recognize these brave individuals and to be able to offer support to their families. The war is such "old news" now that people forget about the sacrifices being made by these servicemen and women and their families. We read about the efforts of the anti-war protesters. How about devoting some equal time to those who are actually serving and risking their lives for their country?

Unheard talent
Our church is fortunate to have a talented music director who sings and plays the piano beautifully. He's a real blessing and we love to hear him sing! However, he also accompanies the choir at Sunday Mass (and special Masses) and is often so heavy-handed at the keyboard that we hear very little of what they are singing. It must be disheartening for them to practice and prepare and then stand there and not be heard. They are also talented musicians and should be accompanied, not over-powered.

Too loud
Talk about loud, has anybody noticed how much louder Channel 5 is compared to all the other channels, or is it just my imagination? It is very annoying.

Values
Sen. Shumer says "traditional values" are no longer relevant. What world does he live in? Read and watch the news, pay attention to what politicians are doing and call, e-mail, or write with your concerns. "They" now want to make it legal for 13-18 year olds to send naked pictures on their cell phones to their friends (to avoid sex offender status when caught). Change the consequences for youth, not the crime! Would you make it legal for the young to burglarize because they might be then considered criminals? Those pictures will be out there forever to cause trouble.

Jobless
It is Monday morning, 8:26 a.m. I just called the NYS Dept. of Labor to ask a question about my unemployment claim. After 5 minutes, 26 seconds going through menus and recordings, they finally forward my call through to "the next available agent." I then receive a message that says, "I am sorry, we do not anticipate being able to answer your call today. Please call back Wednesday"! What's wrong with this? During this time of high unemployment you would think this "great" state would hire more people to answer calls, which of course would create a few more jobs.