Letters to the Editor: Feb. 5, 2010

Cape Air supported
TO THE EDITOR: It is gratifying that the Clinton County Legislature seems to be responding to the public interest in considering the renewal of Cape Air as the EAS provider for Plattsburgh. This is something that everyone interested in the area's long-term economic development should support.

For a business traveler, the most important criteria in airline selection are schedule frequency, reliability, and cost. The large and nimble fleet of small aircraft operated by Cape Air provides a significant performance advantage in these areas. Cape Air is able to easily add additional scheduled flights as traffic increases. Larger aircraft, such as those proposed by Colgan Air will have a lower load factor, resulting in fewer flights. This is evidenced in the fact that Colgan Air's proposal is for two departures per day (after a trial "stimulus" period) only.

Apparently some legislators are impressed with survey results that suggest that larger aircraft will be attractive to Montreal tourist traffic. Having grown up in Montreal I would suggest that Canadians will have little interest in a Plattsburgh to Boston route, particularly with the low frequency of proposed Colgan flights that will inhibit convenient transfers at Logan. I believe if all the facts were revealed to the survey respondents, the results might have been quite different.

The legislature should recognize the tepid nature of the Colgan proposal itself. Apparently, that airline has been quite disinterested in this market, and the Chamber of Commerce has had to "court" them to bring them to the table. The fact that their initial proposal did not include a single non-stop flight from Plattsburgh to Boston speaks volumes about their assessment of the viability of this route using large aircraft. Their absence from Wednesday's public hearing before the legislature further underscores their disinterest.

Andrew Schonbek

Plattsburgh

Enriched Plattsburgh
TO THE EDITOR: I was saddened, but not surprised, to read the negative comments being left on the Press-Republican Web site concerning former Plattsburgh Mayor Clyde Rabideau's return to politics. I learned firsthand that in politics you are in open season for the electorate and the media to munch on whenever they please. Yes, be there when they need something, but never expect them to be there when you most need their support in return.

Personally, I am happy to see Clyde getting back into the game. I remember vividly when he and I were opponents in the 1999 race that I said during our debate, "Clyde will probably go down in history as the best mayor Plattsburgh has ever had." And I meant it when I said it.

Clyde could bring to Saranac Lake the energy and experience of being a chief executive in local government. Not everyone can be expected to like his style, but that really doesn't matter in the end. What does matter is if he can deliver for his constituency. I know that his energy level and mastery of the political machine of Albany will certainly help the people he would represent if they chose to do so.

The negativity written about Clyde comes from people who, I think, need to look a little more inward. Clyde and I may not have been the "best of friends," but I am man enough to know his value as a person and a leader. He and I have seen each other on only a couple occasions since our 1999 race and both times we exchanged a handshake and small talk. That is all that could be expected when you consider our history with each other.

To anyone out there who wishes to slander him for past "issues," I would suggest they get to confession really soon, or take a moment to be sure their slate is clean of any transgressions. The voters of Saranac Lake will judge who they want to be their leader, not the people of Plattsburgh. From personal experience, I can tell you that such slander usually come from the typical Monday morning quarterback perspective of a bunch of egotists with inferiority complexes.

Good luck, Mayor Rabideau, from a fellow former mayor who knows how it feels to be at the top and at the bottom of the game. The people you want to represent would be getting a bargain if you were to put in just a small drop of the energy you routinely expended on Plattsburgh to help make it what it is today.

Daniel Stewart

New York City

Appreciates support
TO THE EDITOR: On Jan. 14, Bailey Ave. Elementary had their Reading Night to encourage and excite students about achieving their reading goals. The Bailey/Oak FSA would like to thank Stewarts and Price Chopper for their generous donations and continued support.

The following volunteers help to make our night a fun and enjoyable event for the students and their families: readers, Tom Penfield, Scott Given and Gabe Girard; dippin' dads, Paul Murray, Kevin Champagne, Mike Williams, Rob Keever, Ryan Forkey, Ben Wright and John Kennedy; as well as support volunteers: Tammie Champagne, Ben Champagne, Jordanne Bond, Sophie Murray, Dalton Harney, Tara Forkey, Lori Keever, Heather Gerhardt, the fabulous custodial staff at Bailey Ave and all the other parents/staff that helped to organize this event make this night a success. Your energy and support is appreciated.

Deb Orlofsky

Reading Night chairperson

Bailey/Oak FSA

Plattsburgh

Double whammy
TO THE EDITOR: I am writing in regard to Gov. Paterson's proposed closure of the Moriah Shock Prison. This prison is the second-largest employer in the Town of Moriah, employing 102 citizens at some of the highest-paying jobs in the area. Essex County and the Town of Moriah cannot afford to lose this vital income, and the state can not afford the unemployment insurance costs.

Inmates at the Shock help fight forest fires, fill sandbags for floods, and perform various maintenance tasks around Essex County, among other things. The Shock additionally pays a large amount of the sewer fees for the town of Moriah. If the Shock closes, these vital services will be paid for by the taxpayers of Moriah. Essentially, this means a "double whammy" for the town residents. Their incomes will drastically decrease and their tax burdens will drastically increase.

It is unconscionable that Gov. Paterson would even think to close the Shock given the recent fiasco with the Champlain Bridge. The residents of Moriah have suffered enough. To take away more of their income and resources while simultaneously increasing their tax burden is cruel and unusual punishment. This recommendation should not be enacted.

Michelle Carter

Grafton

Support appreciated
TO THE EDITOR: As coordinator for the Talent Show held at Seton Catholic Central on Jan. 22, I would like to thank everyone for their generous donations, or even just for their good thoughts and prayers sent our way which enabled us to raise $3,120.35 for Catholic Relief Services in Haiti.

A special thank you to the over 80 Seton students who either performed or worked at the event, as well as to Lita Paczak, Ben Reavis, the Seton Academy chorus, Stephen Dame, and Kaleb Wisher who also shared their talents with us.

Thanks, as well, to my wonderful colleagues who helped to make a big undertaking happen in just over a week's time. Finally, thank you to all the parents and friends who donated the refreshments, and to the Pepsi Bottling Group in Keeseville for their thoughtful donation.

May God bless all of you and the people of Haiti.

Maureen Robinson

Seton Catholic Central

Plattsburgh

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