Taxes
I wish people would get their facts straight and research their information before writing to the Press-Republican. Catholic schools! The state and federal government do not, I repeat, do not, give money to Catholic schools. In fact the Catholic schools save taxpayers more than $18,000,000 dollars per year. Here in the North Country, we have 15 Catholic schools with a total enrollment of 2,013 students. If you multiply 2,013 by $10,000 (the average per-pupil cost to educate each student in a public school), you will see that the taxpayer saves more than $18,000,000 per year on taxes.
Favoritism
Out of my mind crazy! WPTZ just broadcast a story of Bill Owen's staff delivering a gift of 40 — yup, 40 — children's books to the library. That's news? More political favoritism from the most liberal local television station on the dial. Oh yeah, I didn't get on WPTZ when I donated more than 600 books to the same institution.
Hot air
Saw on the news that our politicians didn't think they could get the Cap and Trade Bill passed. Except they didn't figure on our clever president. Another news show said he's going to get a carbon tax passed; people shouldn't mind that, after all, dangerous carbon footprints are bad for the Earth. Of course, it kinda amounts to the same tax. Well, there goes the cost of fuel oil and gas. Maybe we could reduce energy costs by tapping into the wind energy created by the wind bags in Washington blowing all that hot air.
Band
I do believe that the revival of the band program in a local school is due to the fact that schools got some stimulus funding to preserve teaching positions. Also, one should remember that the kids didn't have a dependable teacher for years. Those poor kids had to make do with substitutes, and the program suffered for years. I think it was down to about three kids until the new teacher came onboard. Also, some kids who are playing in band had private tutoring; they didn't learn anything from the previous "teacher."
Assistance
I agree with "Strange." Why is it that the great wonderful US of A — and I do believe that we live in one of the best countries in the world — why are we borrowing money to send to Haiti? Now we will surely be borrowing money to send to Chile. What about the elderly folks here at home who cannot afford to pay for their personal needs? While we are at it we should insist on drug testing for the bums that we are supporting on public assistance. Public assistance is abused, and a blind person can see it.
Joke
I am a regular viewer of "Saturday Night Live," and I enjoy the satirical humor. The segment mocking Gov. Paterson was meant to make fun of the governor's attitude toward any area north of NYC. Everyone knows that he doesn't know or care anything about the North Country. It wasn't meant to target the actual cities mentioned. You didn't get the joke!
Judging
All welfare recipients do not all deserve our frustration from the current economic troubles. The elderly, the sick and disabled, and the very young need to be taken care of if their families are not able to do so. The resentment comes from those who are enrolled in the programs yet are able-bodied and do not work. Or those who can't pay their fuel bills but spend gas to run ski-doos and four-wheelers. Or those who use food stamps but buy beer and cigarettes. Or those who can't support themselves but expect others to support their family. Judge carefully.
Dogs
I believe that poor beagle I wrote about has died. The harsh temperatures she endured year around and age have finally done her in. Actually I should say her owners have done the job. Shame on me for not trying to do something, and shame on them for not doing the right things. Now it looks like they are penniless. What a loss, they could have made her life so much easier. Dogs do not belong outside tied to a chain year around. Do the right thing. You got them, take care of them the right way.
Deaf
I am thoroughly appalled on your print of the news story March 6, 2010, regarding the deaf persons of America. I cannot believe the bigotry and discriminatory comments posted with this story. Please Mr. Funny Man Mayor, if anyone should have a second chance, it should not be yourself. However how would you honor our proud deaf Americans?
Accidents
Diver's Ed 101: When you drive down a one-way street, and you get to the end of the road, you need to be in the right lane to turn right and the left lane to turn left, not the right lane to turn left. This is how accidents happen.
Road
A cost-saving and helpful hint for the frugal, want-to-be traveler: There's a wee, factory-lined stretch of roadway right here in dear old Plattsburgh (bordering the Checkerboard Farms lot — the old Agway — on Boyton) that if you find yourself upon it, you'll swear you've somehow been transplanted to Costa Rica, or Mexico, or even Equador. It has more patches in it than a homeless man's trousers. And if you drive down it more than three times, your muffler will work lose, your partial will dislodge (if you've got one), and you'll remain jittery for the rest of that day.
