PLATTSBURGH -- It was post-lunch time for the children in Donna Bushey's day care at her Leander A. Bouyea Court residence, where she has lived for 15 years.

"Most of the people who live on McGaulley are single parents," said Bushey, who is a certified child-care provider. "Some people come through a separation, divorce, have had bad credit or no credit and are financially stressed, which was one of my reasons."

She was born and raised in Plattsburgh. Once upon a time, she lived with her parents and siblings down in unit 143. She graduated from high school and longed to join the U.S. Air Force. She married, had children, did factory work and ended up with carpal tunnel syndrome.

After five years of marriage and three children, Bushey sought a place to live at Plattsburgh Housing Authority. During her separation, she stayed with her parents.

"I was on a waiting list four months. I'm told it's even longer now."

WAS YOUNG MOTHER

Cheryl Dame has lived on and off in the Plattsburgh Housing Authority since 1974.

"I needed a place to live," said Dame, 58. "I had a child of my own. I had been living with my parents on Point au Roche Road."

Dame grew up in Altona.

"My parents moved to Beekmantown, and I wanted to graduate with my class in Altona. I quit in my senior year. I was pregnant, and back then you weren't allowed to go to school when you were pregnant."

From Plattsburgh friends, she learned about the Housing Authority.

"I went and filled out an application. I ended up getting a two-bedroom apartment on Mildred Boulevard. Different sections were built at different times."

Eventually, she left for a three-month stint in Florida.

"I hated it and moved back home."

Dame is among the 79 people residing in the 51-unit Thomas F. Conway Apartments, built on Bushey Boulevard in 1963. She has served eight years as one of two resident commissioners -- one representing seniors and the other families -- who sit on a mayoral-appointed board.