How about a little fairness?
TO THE EDITOR: Why does the state pay for a room that costs $1,500 a month when people find a place for $650 month, not pay the $650 a month, and save the state $850?
This person has been in a motel room from 10-16-09 to this day. She has found places, but the state tells her it's too much. They want her to find a place for $400 for a two or three bedroom. I wish rent was cheap, but everyone knows it's not, so you make people find something that's not there. Also, in the room all they have is two beds, microwave, little — and I mean — little refrigerator, something that you can only keep like milk and juice in or something small, and a bathroom. This is for a family of three.
If the state was to use their head and save money, it would make everyone's life easier. The way I look at it is if you want to throw out money, then use your own money instead of the state's money. And now you have all their stuff in storage and I believe it costs $80 a month on top of $1,500.
She has to go to Plattsburgh every week to get the room paid for because if she does not then they would be out in the cold. It's not like family can help because everyone in the family has a big family of their own. She has been going to family members' homes to cook and now she's left in a little room because the home she's been going to cannot do it anymore because they had problems come up with their son and the doctor told them no more or the kids would be removed from the home and they stopped it all.
Now she does all she can with her two boys to make sure they have hot meals. So state, wake up and make it easier for people. Put people with no kids in a room like this and ones that have kids at least put them where there is a stove and refrigerator and stuff like that.
Helen Hart
Rouses Point
Supporting heart agenda
TO THE EDITOR: I'd like to thank everyone who made the annual Go Red for Women Dinner such a great success.
More than 400 women — and men — gathered to learn about heart disease, be screened for risk factors, bid on great items at the silent auction and enjoy a delicious, heart-healthy dinner. Together we raised over $50,000 that will fund American Heart Association researchers to fight heart disease and stroke in women.
I chaired the event because heart disease has unfortunately taken members of my family. By helping to fund research and programs to improve the health of the community, we can prevent families from experiencing the same loss that I have. Heart disease is the #1 killer of both men and women and stroke is #3. I believe that together we can save lives!
I'd like to thank all of our sponsors, including national sponsors Macy's and Merck. Locally, thank you to the foundation of CVPH; West Bay Financial; Cumberland 12 Cinemas; KeyBank; Weight Management, Inc; Lake Champlain Cardiology Associates; Champlain Valley Cardiology, Cornerstone Drug/Keeseville Pharmacy; Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Studley Printing; NinePlatt and Whiteman, Osterman and Hanna.
FOX 44, the Press-Republican and Star 92.9 were the media sponsors; a special thanks goes to Lauren Maloney of FOX 44 for being such a great emcee. Eliz Green was an energetic keynote speaker. Three women shared their stories of survival, reminding all of us that this is a disease that hits home. Thank you Sandra Gothard, Madeline Morrissey and Sarah Favro.
To learn more about Go Red For Women, visit www.heart.org.
Thank you to our chairs and all of our volunteers. A special thanks to TSS Photography for capturing our event in photos. Finally, thanks to our silent auction donors for the beautiful donations.
Denise Calkins Ryder
PrimeLink
Plattsburgh
Employees, patients cited
TO THE EDITOR: I would like to add my personal cheers to the patients and employees of Planned Parenthood who are forced to pass through the picket that in in front of the Planned Parenthood health clinic almost every day. Even though there has never been any violence at the Plattsburgh Planned Parenthood, it certainly is a possibility and every patient and employee must feel some anxiety as they pass by the pickets.
I cheer the patients for exercising their right to obtain excellent health care at an affordable price and I cheer the employees for continuing to provide the care that is so badly needed in our community.
Ann C. Hobson
Mooers
Stay course on health care
TO THE EDITOR: Health care spending rose to an estimated $2.5 trillion in 2009, or $8,047 per person — and is now projected to nearly double by 2019. If we don't act, this growing burden will mean more lost jobs, more families pushed into bankruptcy and more crushing debt for our nation.
The conclusion is clear: This isn't a problem we can kick down the road for another decade — or even another year. We need to pass health reform now.
Since when have Americans have backed down from challenges in their lives. This is a war that is bigger than all of the wars we have fought in the past. This is one-time war that if done in the right way would lead to national prosperity and growth for all. We will all win and our children would prosper without the struggles we face.
Let's not lose focus and stay the course.
Taher Zandi
Plattsburgh
Tuition warning
TO THE EDITOR: It might be time for us to find our old copy of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," because the governor's proposals for tuition increases at SUNY mean that while all New Yorkers are equal, some will be more equal than others. If you can afford the higher tuition at a university center or a school of medicine, or a nursing or physical therapy program, you can attend. Otherwise, set your sights on something lower, because you won't be equal any longer.
According to state education law, "The mission of the state university system shall be to provide the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population in a complete range of academic, professional and vocational postsecondary programs ..." That statement is very inclusive. To propose limiting access by ability to pay runs counter to both the law and to the basic principle of public higher education.
The governor is proposing to give SUNY the authority for across-the-board tuition increases not to exceed two-and-a-half times the "rolling 5 year average" of the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI). That maximum increase right now would be almost 10 percent, every year! But worse, he also proposed granting SUNY the flexibility to impose differential tuition by campus or program without limitations! Those are two separate tuition proposals that could easily double the tuition at SUNY in just a few years.
Historically, every tuition increase at SUNY has been accompanied by a decrease in state funding. Why will this time be different? So if you want your children and grandchildren to have access to an affordable public college education, tell your legislators to say "No" to Gov. Paterson on SUNY tuition increases. Keep SUNY affordable for all New Yorkers.
David Curry
Plattsburgh
