Memorable guy
TO THE EDITOR: Frank Akey passed away the other day. There's a fellow you didn't hear a lot about, but you could say, arguably, that he was more responsible for the Town of Plattsburgh's development than anyone.

The "Pink Elephant" on Route 9 North in back of the Chamber of Commerce and McSweeney's, so-named because it was pink in color and an abandoned shopping mall until Frank renovated it and turned it into a still productive mini-commercial center.

The North Country Shopping Center, now slated for demolition but home for decades to Frank's own Farm and Country store, an IGA, liquor store, Aubuchon's, Willie King's Golf shop, a department store and many others that kept the North side of Plattsburgh a destination.

And, of course, Route 3. It seemed everything west of I-87 was owned by Frank. Story has it that Frank never sold any property but leased it for 99 years, thereby ensuring in perpetuity income for his family.

I think it would be nice if a roadway, a bridge, or even a plaque somewhere was dedicated to Frank. I mean, we name all sorts of things for our politicians who are being well paid to do their jobs. How about dedicating something to someone who did a lot for all of us and has never earned the kudos he deserves. No "Irishman of the Year", no "Businessperson of the Year", no "Who's Who," just a simple guy with foresight and vision.

Terry Chilton

Plattsburgh

Seton soared
TO THE EDITOR: The results of NYS's standardized testing for 7th and 8th grade students in Math, English language arts (ELA), and social studies are now in hand.

I would like to commend and recognize the staff, teachers, and students at Seton Catholic Central, for their outstanding accomplishments in this regard.

One hundred percent of our 7th and 8th grade students scored at levels 3 and 4 in ELA, one hundred percent of our 8th grade students scored at levels 3 and 4 in Math, and 96% of our 7th grade students scored at level 3 and 4 in Math. In addition, 96% of our 7th and 8th grade students scored at levels 3 and 4 in Social Studies.

Parents of school-aged children should consider seriously, the benefits of sending their child to Seton Catholic. We offer small class sizes, plenty of playing time for young athletes who want to play sports, and a loving discipline that produces graduates who respect their elders, their peers, and themselves.

And no serious student will ever be denied admission to Seton for any reason.

Congratulations to each and every member of the Seton Catholic family — you are the best!

Mark L. Barie

President

Seton Catholic Central Education Council

Those were the days
TO THE EDITOR: The Press-Republican cost 29 cents a week for me to deliver it in the dead of winter 1962 to your front door. The 29 cents included weekly collections at your front door so you could avoid the expense of a 3-cent stamp to mail in the $1.16 a month. The 29-cent fee included punch-card record keeping on my ring of cards so you could not possibly overpay. Delivered without fail six days a week and collected at your front door every Friday evening usually before dinner no matter how cold it was.

I never wondered why you wanted a penny change when you gave me 30 cents. My cold fingers pushed the plunger on my frosted change machine and out dropped a penny.

I did wonder why you did not have 29 cents ready every Friday night, year after year, and why after three weeks of no change you just didn't give me a buck and a quarter so I would not be back next week. That's nine cents change. I didn't forget. Thank you.

Was 29 cents that hard to come by in 1962? Was change so dear that the occasional penny, or 9-cent, tip would prevent you from paying for fuel oil? I wonder now. But then the weight of the collections building in my parka pocket seemed to suggest I might be left with some change on Saturday to spend on myself — after I paid the Press-Republican 16 cents a week for 54 customers. $8.64 to break even.

I would dump my bag of chilly change on my desk at home and look at the date on every penny, nickel and dime so I could fill my coin-collection books. I still have the blue coin folders filled with your change dated from 1941 to 1965. I stopped searching years ago for a 1943-S (steel) Lincoln-head cent.

When I left the Press-Republican counter on Saturdays, I would walk down to the National Army Store on the northwest corner of Clinton and Margaret streets.

Everything I ever dreamed of was here. Knives. Lanterns. Blue jeans. Waterproof match cases. Green rubber calf-high insulated boots. I saved my change until I had a pair. Winter was less difficult when my feet were warm.

I bought my change machine at National Army Store and some gloves. Wool socks. Blue jeans. A scarf. And a .22 caliber rifle, tube fed. I still have it. It took every penny I had.

Charles McNamara

Carrier and change maker for the Press-Republican 1962-1965

Debate unwise
TO THE EDITOR: I would like to answer Mr. Friedman's letter titled "Let's debate." Mr. Friedman claims he can "intellectually wreck" Mr. Seney. By reading his letter and checking his facts, he couldn't "intellectually wreck" a second grader. Mr. Friedman seems to be using what I call "Internet-based common knowledge" and not facts. So, let's look at the facts.

First, he claims 70 percent believe Obama can handle terrorism. In actuality, in a Marist Poll published June 8 he garnered a 51-percent rating.

Second, he claims "Newt Gingrich, speaker of the House, cheating on his wife while investigating Clinton cheating on his wife." This is true in part but, the actual charge was lying to a grand jury.

Third, erroneous claim was about Frank Terpil. "CIA agent, backed by the GOP selling torture tools to the Idi Amin, Uganda, selling arms to Libya, who sold those same arms to the IRA, and Columbian FARC."

This whole claim is bogus. Mr. Terpil was dismissed by the CIA in 1971 after a six-year career as a low-level operative. A New York state court sentenced him in 1981 to 53 years in prison after trying him in absentia on charges of conspiring to smuggle 10,000 guns to South America. He has been and is currently believed to be hiding in Cuba. Republican and Democratic administrations have been trying to get him back to the U.S.

Fourth, erroneous claim is that "future generations, they like President Obama". According to the June 8th Marist poll, 61 percent of 18-29 year olds approve of Obama. I believe this is only representative the Current generation of people who are inexperienced in politics. Not the whole of our "future generations."

So I believe Mr. Friedman you should leave all this "stuff" out of any debate you may take part in and stick to facts you can prove. Anytime you would like to debate on the merits of Liberalism versus Capitalism let me know. Just call me Archie Bunker, OK Mike?

Dan Dillon

Saranac Lake