Protests at hospital
TO THE EDITOR: On Jan. 19, I was disturbed to read the Press-Republican article where the local unions were protesting the general contractor, PC Corp., for their work at the hospital.
PC is an excellent contractor well known in New York State and Vermont. Who are the SubContractors? Jeffords Steel and Engineering supplied the Steel for this project, Fast Track, and also the previous project, New ER. The erector on site was Luck Brothers Construction. Jeffords and Luck are local, hiring workers living in Plattsburgh and its surrounding communities. Before the "building trades" start this type demonstration, they should look at the complete project. There are many other trades that are engaged by PC Corp. when working through a project of this size. The hospital entertains a bid process for all major projects, which causes the same process to occur by PC Corp. with respect to its vendors, suppliers and subcontractors.
According to the article, President John Donoghue mentions that this demonstration is not a union/non-union issue. Well, let's move over to the job at Northern Adirondack School; how come there has not been any protest against Jersen Construction out of Waterford? Perhaps the reason is that the school-addition renovation is driven by prevailing-wage scales, which are at union wage levels.
CVPH is a complete medical facility that services the North Country. Over the years, this organization has grown into a first-rate facility serving the health needs of this community. We need to respect the decisions made by the leaders of this organization and not try to impede their progress by protesting their decisions.
Visits to this facility should be reserved for health needs for individuals, family and friends and, of course, to support loved ones during this time.
James Favreau
Champlain CVPH Foundation Board member
Congressman helped
TO THE EDITOR: I would like to publicly thank Congressman Bill Owens for his efforts in rectifying an injustice inflicted upon my son.
My son enlisted in the Army in 2007 with the promise of an enlistment bonus. Half was to be paid upon completion of his basic training and AIT school and the rest after completing his deployment to Iraq.
The first half was paid as promised, but when he tried to collect the second half, he was told that it wasn't due to him, with no explanation as to why. He made several attempts to solve the problem through proper channels but always received the same answer.
Finally, he contacted Congressman Owens, who approached the Army on my son's behalf and kept my son informed of the progress he was making each step of the way.
In the end, my son received a letter from the Army indicating that, indeed, the Army had made a mistake and that the balance of his enlistment bonus would be forthcoming. My family and I are convinced that this would not have been the outcome were it not for Congressman Owens's efforts.
We here in the North Country are fortunate to have a representative in Washington who takes the concerns of his constituents seriously and who works diligently on their behalf.
PATRICK M. CARROLL
Plattsburgh
