Speakout: June 28, 2009

Local News

Discussion

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June 27, 2009

Anonymous The Press Republican Sat Jun 27, 2009, 11:28 PM EDT

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DELAYS
Haven't seen your Speakout? There are a few possible reasons.

We won't publish Speakouts that are longer than 100 words or that we consider libelous or inappropriate, including personal attacks, merchant complaints that we can't verify and court matters.

Also, once a topic seems to have run its course, we will cut it. Writers are always welcome to send a signed Letter to the Editor of no more than 300 words for publication on the Editorial page.

Lastly, Speakout is hugely popular, and most days, we have hundreds of column inches waiting to get in. News articles have priority, but we try to run a little Speakout each day.

If you have any questions, call News Editor Lois Clermont at 565-4131.

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Ironman
As the Press-Republican reported, the New York State troopers need 90 people to patrol for Ironman Lake Placid on race day, resulting in excessive overtime. The "closed" course is approximately 60 miles — that's 1 trooper per 0.6 miles. Ironman has hundreds of volunteers fully capable of directing traffic. New York State Police should consider taking the day off and save us some money.

Steps
I wonder if the contractor that cemented the public library's front stairs can return and clean up the cement that they dumped on the "lawn" right in front. Did the contract specify cleaning up after the job? Maybe some paving stones could be installed, as it's a heavily treaded area.

Buttonwood
Why are residents upset that more people are using the roads through the development? As I understand it, these are not private roads; they are town roads. Yes, all traffic laws should be followed, but shouldn't everyone be able to benefit from a "short cut" through town?

Trooper
To the New York state trooper who was traveling down Route 3 and onto 22B. You wouldn't have to tap your brakes every five seconds if you weren't following so closely to the car ahead of you that was going the speed limit. You flew past me swerving through traffic (I thought there was an emergency). I caught up to you as you were tailgating the vehicle in front of you. It's strange how I only had to tap my brakes once to slow down for the speed limit. Or maybe you just have broken brake lights?

Experts
The Associated Press says "the latest study by experts" (which it never really identifies, as usual) says that wind speeds in the Midwest have dropped about 10 percent since 1973. That should be happy news for tornado and wind-storm victims in Kansas. But even though findings are preliminary, it might be, possibly be, coulda woulda shoulda be due to "warming." That's happy news for the enviro-nazis. Ever wonder who the "experts" are that we always read about in headlines? Is that a profession, like "lawyers?" Or "journalists" who like "anonymous sources?"

Smoking
I work at CVPH. I thought there was non-smoking on the grounds. I walk out after shift and you can count the butts on grounds. Who is supposed to be watching out for that?

Farmers
We buy milk and cheese all the time as well as yogurt and ice cream. But none of this seems to help the farmers. I even gave money to Farm Aid. Do any of our farmers ever get Farm Aid money? What can we do? What will make it so farms will survive? At this rate, the Amish and mega-farms will be the only ones to survive, and if not them, we'll be importing milk at this rate. We must help America's farms, but how? Anyone have any ideas?

Value
I get tired of people writing, "Get over it." I think Speakout is very valuable. I don't always agree with what is written, but at least people have a place to vent. If someone vents, maybe they'll just go about their day after. If they have no place to vent, then what happens? Also, I think the idea of VH1 helping out so that a music program can stay for people who want it was very constructive and helpful. Maybe we'll actually solve some problems here. But negating someone else's feelings, not a good thing and tiring to read.