CHEERS to the National Park Service for its Scenic Byways program, which produces brochures to ballyhoo localities' assets to potential tourists. Back around 2000, when the program was introduced hereabouts, fears were expressed that this would turn into a giant government takeover, in which the feds would provide tourism money but impose all kinds of rigid controls in return. We're still awaiting all those rigid controls, which have never materialized. Every community along the 188-mile Adirondack Scenic Byway has been treated to extensive promotional materials to advertise the area. The areas line Routes 30 and 30A from Franklin County, through Hamilton and Fulton counties and into Montgomery. The brochure, of which 34,000 will be printed and distributed, was prepared with the help of the Adirondack North Country Association. So far, the Scenic Byways program has delivered the promotional boost promised without the loss of freedoms against which some people warned. The tourism increases made possible by the program should pay dividends in the coming years.
JEERS to adult bicyclists who ride their bikes on city sidewalks. According to the City Police Department, children 12 and younger are allowed to ride on sidewalks, but anyone older than that must be on the street. We have received reports lately of adults careening down sidewalks at dangerous speeds, barely missing pedestrians. It makes sense to allow kids on the sidewalks, as they may be a little shaky, and riding in the street could be perilous for them. But, by adulthood, the skill necessary to ride a bike should allow cyclists onto the street — in fact, in some areas of the city, a lane is dedicated to bicycles. For those older riders, taking up pedestrian space on the sidewalk would present more danger. Get out onto the street where you belong — with your helmet on, of course.
JEERS to the unknown people who tried to rip off Albert Collins and possibly others. Collins is a retired correction officer who lives in Plattsburgh. He received a phone call the other day from someone identifying himself as his grandson T.J. and saying that he was in jail in Canada and needed $2,900 bail. Collins said, "T.J., that doesn't sound like you," and the reply was, "Well, it's a bad phone connection. Let me put the police officer on." Then a man came on and gave a French name and told Collins that his grandson had been giving someone a ride into Canada and that the passenger had put luggage in the trunk that turned out to have drugs and weapons in it. "He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," the "police" said, but he will need bail money. Collins, who has health issues, was very upset but, fortunately, wise enough to ask for more information. He said he didn't have that much money and asked the police officer for his badge number. The call ended abruptly with a hang-up. Still shaken, Collins called his son, who assured him that T.J. was fine, that he had just dropped him off at school. People who try to prey on others can be very clever and deceptive, so keep up your guard.
