JEERS to New York Gov. David Paterson for not showing up at the Sept. 19 Champlain Quadricentennial signature event in Crown Point. This event was the highlight of the entire quadricentennial observance up and down the corridor between New York City and the Canadian border. It was to commemorate the simultaneous explorations in 1609 of Samuel de Champlain on the lake that was to be named after him and Henry Hudson up from New York City on the river that was to bear his name. The Crown Point celebration was important enough for James Douglas, the governor of Vermont, and Pierre Vimont, the French ambassador to the United States, to attend. They gave excellent speeches and signed the rededication compact of the Champlain Memorial Lighthouse while standing in front of that magnificent edifice. Paterson sent Pete Grannis, his Environmental Conservation commissioner, who should have been there anyway. We realize that the governor has important matters on his agenda these days, including his own political survival. But this was an event to mark his state's pivotal place in the history of the United States. In effect, the Champlain/Hudson explorations were the seeds of our nation. Little of consequence predates these missions. Paterson's absence was a slap in the face to everyone who worked so hard on the quadricentennial. Our governor should be ashamed of himself for snubbing the celebration.
CHEERS to Sam Edwards of Altona for picking up on what looks like a scam call. Edwards recently received a call on his cell phone from a company offering to give him lower interest rates on his charge-card bills. That right away got Edwards's attention, because he had canceled all his charge cards earlier this year. He started asking questions and also told the caller that New York state had banned this type of solicitation call. The caller became irate and starting making inappropriate suggestions and using strong profanity. It was obvious then that this wasn't any legitimate company calling. The call ended abruptly, and Edwards found the incoming number, 228-209-9560, on his cell phone and tried to call it back. He got a message saying, "We're sorry. You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service." We got the same response when we tried the number. Edwards called the Press-Republican to report the scam and also contacted the New York State Attorney General's Office in Plattsburgh. We applaud Edwards for, first recognizing that the offer could be a scam (many people would be lured by the sales pitch); second, speaking up to the caller; and third, taking steps that would warn others.
