Studies
Kids deserve excellent teachers. Independent studies find long-lasting effects on students with excellent teachers. It takes courage to stand up to the status quo. Cheers to those in the local education community willing to do so.
Health care
Wake up people, if Obamacare is not repealed in a short time, there will be no doctors. If doctors cannot afford to practice, they won't, they will become lawyers, bankers, businessmen or blue-collar workers, if they can find jobs. If they cannot find jobs, they will be on welfare and not have a thing to worry about because the taxpayers will take care of them.
Mother
In this new year, I would like to say thank you to my mom for keeping me when my father didn't want me. She was young and struggled, being a teen mother. I see you for who you really are, mom. You were not perfect, but you loved me the way you knew how, and I forgive you for things. And I hope you forgive me for hurting you as well.
Restaurant
If you go into a restaurant knowing that the wait staff depends on your tips to pay rent, buy food, feed their children, and you don't leave any kind of tip for any kind of reason, you are just contributing more to the downfall of our local community. What do you expect them to do, go get welfare because they can't get a tip when they bust their butt so you have a great experience? I am sure if they did that, you would complain as well. Bottom line, tip when dining out or make your own food at home.
Paid
I would like to thank the lady that was in front of me and my small dogs at a local drive-thru on Jan. 5. I was worried about spending that money to eat there, and I could not believe what happened. When the man told me the person in front of me had paid for my meal, I was so grateful. I have been going through a lot of hard times, and I was sick and just picked up meds from the doctor. Headed home to rest and pray. Thank you so very much for your kindness. You are an angel. God bless you.
Presents
I am sorry your grandchildren didn't have the best Christmas every child deserves. If I was in the same situation, I would try to get involved with the Christmas Bureau and offer suggestions that would benefit the distribution process.
Road
I travel the Adirondacks often. I won't be doing so until Route 86 is paved. This is one of the worst roads I have ever driven. The section from Wilmington to Ray Brook is pathetic. Obviously, there are no local politicians living on that stretch of road or action would have been taken two or three years ago to fix that road. Now that Gov. Cuomo visits the area more often, maybe something will get done. Hopefully, more locals will realize how much damage these roads do to their vehicles and complain. Parts and service are too expensive. Our taxes pay for roads.
Best
Only the best kids should play varsity sports. It is obvious they worked the hardest to get there and should reap the reward of their efforts and determination. The younger generation needs to know you get what you deserve, not what you want. Some of these athletes are hoping their hard work and sacrifice will get them a college scholarship.
Response
I would just like to thank the Clinton County Sheriff's Department and the Elmore SPCA for your immediate response on the recent animal cruelty case on Rugar Street. After a call to the New York State Police was turned down, we didn't know who would help. You truly are saviors, and myself and the animals are so grateful for your help. Also, a thank-you to Karen Newton for taking in the neglected horse. Without the kindness of you all, these animals might not have survived.
Packages
Packagers should be required to print the use-by and sell-by dates on food packages in larger print and not in code that is not readable. The print should be as large as normal newsprint. It is almost impossible for anyone to read many of the dates used on packages these days and some are almost impossible to figure out. Stores should be responsible enough not to sell unmarked or outdated products. Check the dates and complain to the store and manufacturer if you can't see the date.
Gifts
The young couple who had the first new born of 2012 should have got many gifts from the local community in Plattsburgh. Why didn't they get a gift card from Wal-Mart or a gift card for diapers or a gift from Lowes or a gift from Hannaford Supermarket? I have a friend in St. Lawrence County, and he got free diapers, a $50 gift card from Hannaford, a gift card from Home Depot, etc. He had the first born of 2010, and his community gave him gifts. Is Clinton County tight?
Wage
I see that Vermont has a minimum-wage increase, now $8.64 an hour. Here in New York it is still $7.25 an hour. What is wrong here? We need to get the governor talking to the people of New York state, just like the governor of Vermont talks to his people on NPR radio. No wonder people have moved out of New York state. I am tired of suffering in a state that is so distant from its people.
