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May 31, 2009

Cheers and Jeers: June 1, 2009

CHEERS: to Leo Lee, the precocious 11-year-old speller from Plattsburgh who almost made it into the semi-finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee last week, making the entire North Country proud. And he would have made it, had it not been for a stumble over "pericoronitis" — who wouldn't have stumbled over that arcane collection of syllables? — and came home with lots of memories and some richly deserved glory. Some people read our headline in Friday's paper that said he'd "fallen short" in the third round and felt we'd understated his achievement. If we did, we're deeply sorry, because what we really think is that to make it as far as Leo did spells success on any level.

CHEERS: to some local efforts by former troopers to get legislation passed to have memorial signs erected throughout the state wherever an officer was killed in the line of duty. Local retiree John Welch is among those pushing for the measure. New York City does it, but the state doesn't. We should never forget the heroism these men and women exhibit as a routine and the comfort their very presence gives to law-abiding citizens. Remembering their sacrifice seems the very least that should be done by a grateful public.

CHEERS: to the city administration and the people who were informally surveyed to find out how to spend the city's share of Hudson-Champlain Quadricentennial money, for coming up with the idea to give a figurative shave and a haircut to the Samuel de Champlain Monument at the Saranac River-Lake Champlain intersection on Cumberland Avenue. It's an inspired idea. The monument — Plattsburgh's "other" such structure, being smaller and less seen than the Macdonough Monument across from City Hall — is at one of the city's most picturesque spots, but, to most visitors, it is a pretty well-kept secret. On the 400th anniversary of its namesake's arrival in what would become Plattsburgh, it will gain great attention, and it's only right that it be in its Sunday best. Along those lines and in the same neighborhood, why doesn't the Department of Public Works trim some of the foliage growing up on the south side of Cumberland Avenue between the monument and Smith Weed Bridge, so residents and visitors will have a better view of the river as it winds eastward to enter the lake? We should expect lots of tourists dropping by to view the monument, and a less-cluttered vista would score the city some points. It should be noted that the Riverwalk Committee, led by Jann Shambo, takes excellent care of the flower beds around the Champlain Monument.

CHEERS: to the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross for implementing a great idea. The Red Cross will host home CPR parties to train people who want to learn this life-saving procedure. Instead of sitting in a sterile classroom for three hours, students can relax in a home setting and learn with family and friends. The idea is to get more people interested in taking CPR and making it easier for them to obtain certification. The first two parties featured full houses, so this program seems to be off to a great success. We certainly hope so. Your life may depend on it.

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