Speakout: Oct. 26, 2009

Error
Two young, immature, misguided girls made a gross error in judgment, in the summertime, not directed at any particular individual. Were they wrong — yes! Have they learned their lesson — yes! Have they suffered socially, mentally — yes! Are they bad kids, malicious kids, the bullying type, violent kids — absolutely not! They are remorseful, embarrassed, full of regret. The parties involved have moved on. Yet the press erroneously reports on the issue and refreshes a painful experience for all involved. At what point will using these girls as an example cause them to become the victims?

Emmons Street
Is it going to take someone getting hit by a car on Emmons Street in Dannemora for the troopers to do something about the speeders on that road at night? Put a patrol on that road; it is greatly needed.

Principal
What happened to the coverage of the principal that got arrested for DWI? She made the front page when it happened, and now nothing. She got to keep one job and is on paid leave from another. Somehow this does not seem financially responsible, seeing that St. Agnes was struggling to remain open at the end of the school year last year.

Park
In response to the person with the 2-year-old daughter and the park in AuSable Forks: I feel for your situation, but my question is, why are you telling others to do something but not doing something yourself? If you see underage teens, or anyone, smoking pot, you need to call the police as it is illegal. You are a witness; you need to act. It's great that you want things to change, but change starts with you.

No response
Why does the athletic director have time to send out chain e-mails but no time to respond to parents' messages left on his answering machine, no time to send out corrected sports schedules reflecting game changes, and, in particular, no time to address the obvious shortcomings of the school's football program?

Chlorine
The people in Plattsburgh and politicians should not be so concerned about the drop of fluoride in their water. They should be more concerned about the chlorine. Whenever you turn the faucet on, take a shower or flush the toilet, all you smell or taste is bleach.

Preach
I thought Mr. Wiley was the PSUC diversity director. If this is true, why does the college allow him to preach to the entire North Country? One would think that a man with such a title would be better able to disguise his own personal racist views. It is quite obvious that this man feels the need to create controversy where none exists. Without controversy, he would be without a job, wouldn't he? Hmm.

Purse
On Sept. 2, I was shopping at Walmart and left my purse in the cart out in the parking lot. A very nice and honest person found it and returned it to the store. I want to thank this person, whoever you are. It's nice to see that there are still some honest people left in this crazy world of ours. All my important things were still in my purse, so from the bottom of my heart thank you for being the honest person you are.

Sewer
Think ahead. On high ground, your leach fields filter into the lake. On low ground, will not leach enough, we have to pump out our tanks. When your system fails and government mandates come, you will pay dearly. Don't believe all the negative hype you're reading and hearing about. Let's take advantage of the grant money. Save our beautiful lake. Vote yes.

Social Security
Social Security was set up for people when they retire. It was not set up for people to go on Social Security disability because they are overweight and have health problems due to being overweight and doctors are okaying it. Wake up, people, and take responsibility for your own lives. No wonder there will be no Social Security benefits in years to come.

Workers
I know a few people who have good state office jobs and have found some of their activities while "on the clock" a bit questionable. Perhaps I am not familiar with their job description and duties, but since when has personal work for outside events (drawing up paperwork and forms, printing them out) or playing on Facebook come under a state office person's daily tasks? Maybe their supervisors are the ones who need to be more diligent?

Sewer
Be aware, Cumberland Head residents. If you now have a faulty sceptic system, the only approved replacement system is over $20,000. Are you prepared for this? The projected sewer system is the only solution.

Herrick Road
After 30 some years, the Herrick Road finally got repaved. It was a long time coming, but the way we see it, it is only a matter of time before we see the town truck on the road again filling in the potholes. Hopefully we are wrong and the job just isn't complete yet. Hopefully there is another coat going on top of this one.

Ladder truck
Why does the City of Plattsburgh Fire Department need a new ladder truck? I'm sure that with enough time they could find a nice used one that will serve the City of Plattsburgh just fine. It sure can't be any worse then buying a brand new one 19 years ago with a blown transmission; remember that, chief? Sure they need a new truck; just use your head, that's all we ask.

Buses
This is a quick note to all the selfish morons who feel they do not apply to the rule about stopping for a school bus. This morning, I witnessed someone coming from the opposite direction of the bus and continued past it even while the stop sign was out. Luckily, my daughters had not reached the end of the driveway yet, for they would have been hit. I don't know where you were in such a rush to go, but your obligations are nowhere near as valuable as the lives of my children. Pay attention; you could kill a child.

Judson
After reading the recent story detailing how Dr. Horace Judson is facing the same challenges that led to his firing in late 2003 at Plattsburgh State, I began to wonder why we care. Are we suffering some guilt or uncertainty regarding his dismissal? I find it sad that this individual has to have his trials and tribulations communicated so far and wide. Understand, I'm happy that we live in such a community that this story is somehow allowed 820 words. However, there must be something more topical or at least positive on which to report, no?

Parents
In observation of local high-school soccer games, I have noticed parents walking the field and coaching players opposite the coaches themselves. Is this OK? I thought that there were only one set of coaches. Why do parents feel the need to walk the field? The players should be listening to their coaches and watching the play. In addition, it is annoying to others that you are walking around and yelling; please sit down.

Campers
It's funny a local business lets campers park all over its lot but the employees have to park way at the top of the dark lot.

Vaccines
Another reason to not live in New York state. How dare the government force all health-care workers to get the regular flu shot and the H1N1? I've worked at CVPH many years and never received the flu shot prior to this year. If I refuse the shots, I will be fired. Where is my right to choose? I'm being injected with something I don't need. By the way, I do not provide direct patient care. The H1N1 scares me the most, and who's to say the regular flu shot won't protect us.

Fire truck
Never ceases to amaze me. Now they need a million-dollar aerial. As a city taxpayer, I think this is a bit much. Yes, if my house was on fire, I need them, and, yes, they do cover an area with tall buildings. They need to work a little more with the volunteer fire departments for mutual aid, of which more than one of them have an aerial. The City Fire Union will first make sure all their firefighters are called in first before they consider such mutual aid. They think with dollar signs first.

Spending
Stop spending money! No ladder truck, no pay raises, no new positions. People can't afford their mortgages as it is, and this will mean higher taxes. How about a volunteer fire department? The city wants to keep spending like a bunch of drunken sailors, as they did when they agreed to a paid fire department.

Troopers
I witnessed a terrible tragedy today — not one but two New York state troopers sped by me on I-87. I was doing 71; they were at least doing 75-77 mph. No sirens, no lights, simply passed me and exited off exit 36 S to head back to their barracks. This is not the first time this has happened. I want to remind each of them that unless they're going to an emergency, they are not above the law. The NYSP are supposed to be model citizens in uniform. Start showing it!

Worked
People should read articles more thoroughly before responding. I never said I didn't work outside the home; I worked full time while raising my children, and we volunteered in the church, school and community projects, as a family. We struggled at times but certainly didn't sit around waiting for handouts. We learned to get by with and be grateful for what we had and not lament what we didn't have.

Hunters
I am responding to the "Hunters" in the Oct. 8 Speakout. The comments are very disrespectful to all true hunters. If you want to address idiots who go around shooting cats, dogs, road and poster signs, I would prefer that you relate to them as such and not as hunters. As a true hunter, I take pride in my ability to spend hours preparing, scouting and hunting in the woods, "not streets," safely. Oh, and you better hope grocery stores never go away.

Stolen
To whomever took it upon themselves to steal a mum plant from a wedding, you should feel very ashamed. What possibly could have been going through your mind. Favors are given to the guests not large floral decorations. Since when do you attend a wedding with family and friends and have to lock down decorations for fear of them being stolen? This plant was special ordered and shipped from Albany for the wedding. If you have the mum, please return it from where it was taken. No one found this amusing, just disrespectful.

Shooting
To the uniformed person who commented on hunters. First, it's not the people who pay their license fees to hunt who are shooting signs and pets. It's usually young people who have nothing better to do. Second, the reason the hunting season up here is three months long while one month in southern New York is the overpopulation of game up here. When you see 200 deer yarding up in winter starving, maybe you'll understand the roll of hunting in population control. Or would you rather Bambi starve to death? Hug a tree and leave hunters alone. They are helping.

Vaccine
How can our government force people to receive a vaccine that hasn't been tested long enough to know if it is completely safe? I don't agree that we, as health workers, should let something like this slide. The (seasonal) flu vaccine has been tested, and even that has side effects. So, what will the H1N1 side effects be? Well, I guess we health-care workers who get the vaccine will soon find out.

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