Library accountable
TO THE EDITOR: This is a condensed response to the statements made by Ducky Drake in his editorial, "Is It Just Me?" on WIRY this week:
The Library Board is appointed by the mayor and Common Council, and one of the council members attends each monthly Library Board meeting as a liaison to the board.
The director, with the help of his administrative assistant, prepares monthly lists of bills to be paid. These are approved by the Library Board each month. Then, they go to the city chamberlain, who makes sure the expenditures are proper and within the library's adopted budget.
Salaries and raises are set by the Library Board following negotiations with the AFSME union, assisted by two attorneys. The last time any library staff member received any raise was July 1, 2005, more than four years ago! The library budget was also cut by $100,000 in 2006.
At budget time, the director presents a budget proposal based upon perceived library needs and usage, new technology, prudent plans for the next few years and ideas and suggestion from the Library Board, the staff, Friends of the Library and the public.
After Library Board adoption, the director presents this approved budget to the mayor, when requested. The budget is next presented to the Common Council, who examines the budget closely in cooperation with the city chamberlain.
Public input is always invited all along the way.
Because of all these checks and the many persons involved, it would not be possible to arbitrarily divert funding to a different or inappropriate purpose.
We have adopted cost-saving measures and look for more. We also estimate we have saved local residents more than $2,798 million in services and library materials just in 2008. The modest increase we are requesting, $21,644, will allow us to give much better service and keep up with the increased demand for our services.
Stan Ransom
Director
Plattsburgh Public Library
Aircraft in Lewis Park
TO THE EDITOR: Regarding Col. Billy Smith, USAF (Ret.) question about the B-52, I personally would love to see one as part of the Clyde Lewis Memorial Park, as I'm sure, would a lot of other veterans of service at the former PAFB. There should also be a KC-135 and KC-97.
But, Sir, there is a problem with this, and it is spelled m-o-n-e-y. It costs a lot of money to disassemble one of these aircraft, if one could get one donated, then have it transported, and reassembled, here. That doesn't even take into consideration the cost of preparing the site.
As far as a reference to the B-52 at this base, I'm sure we're all in agreement there needs to be a reference to this fine aircraft as part of the base history, as there needs to be mentioned the fine work done by the KC-97 and their crews/support staff, and the training aircraft that were stationed here, not to mention the MAST helicopter and crews that were stationed here, and don't forget the Atlas missile crews and equipment that were here as well.
Perhaps it is time we started serious looks into this as part of the Clinton County Historical Association. After visiting various other airports around the world, there is almost a universal mention of nearby historical aviation assets, why not here at the Plattsburgh International Airport. After all, that facility would not even exist without the former base being here, and it certainly would not have the fine, new terminal located where Colonel Smith spent many days on alert while stationed here as part of the readiness posture of this nation.
Perhaps there are people out there that have photos of the many fine aircraft and crews stationed here that would be willing to donate them to the Clinton County Historical Association and get this ball rolling.
Doyle Frost
Plattsburgh
Services at risk
TO THE EDITOR: I am writing on behalf of anyone that has a job that depends on Medicaid or other state funding. This includes local agencies like ARC, Third Age, Self Directed Services, Home Health Care and more.
The governor has federal funds available to him to help our state during this economic crisis. Unfortunately, it seems as though he and many other elected officials in Albany have decided to turn this funding down. But wait, there's more. He plans to make severe cuts to many programs that require state funding. These cuts will lead to thousands and thousands of layoffs, position cuts, losses of benefits and more. Many of these jobs are in our region. Not only will it affect the employees of these agencies, but it will greatly interfere with, and in some cases completely eliminate, the services that are provided to the individuals they serve. How is that fair? Everybody loses.
It is time for the people to use their voices. Maybe someone out there will listen. Please call or write your local elected officials and let them know that this is not the way to handle this economic crisis. Ask them to please use the federal assistance that has been offered to us. The state can't afford more unemployment, welfare, and food stamps, and health insurance. This plan will just create an endless, vicious cycle that will affect us all in the long run. Thank you for your time.
Joe Gadway
Direct support specialist
Clinton County ARC
Plattsburgh
Wonderful event
TO THE EDITOR: The Advocacy and Resource Center would like to thank everyone who helped to make the 2nd Annual Fall Festival another wonderful family event. The event was held at Clinton County Fairgrounds on Oct. 3 to benefit Advocacy and Resource Centers new program First Step that provides autism assessment for families in the North Country. MVP Kids Katie Bonds, and Plattsburgh' Walk Laurie Carmichael contributed their time and talents to help with this community event. We also appreciate Glenn Gratton and Doug Guerin from Malone Car Club for all their help and expertise with the Show and Shine and Karen and Rick Bassett for bringing the autism truck for display.
We also want to thank members from area car clubs that brought their cars and trucks out and supported us. Nathan Houck and the members from NYKE put on a wonderful display "Kite Flight for Autism" at the Clinton County Airport and thank you Clinton County for allowing us the use of the old airport. We would like to thank Woodman of the World for providing fingerprinting and Clinton County Sheriffs' department for doing car seat safety checks and the following sponsors whose generous donations made this event possible: ARC Foundation, Dan Cavaretta, Tom Farrell, Bill LaPlant, Michael Davis, Northern Sanitation, Woodmen of the World, Bankers Orchard, Bill McBride Chevrolet, Dunkin Donuts Skyway Plaza, Paul LeDuc, Price Chopper, Sam's Club, Summit Racing Equipment, Hagerty Insurance and Jim Moore from WPTZ 5, for judging the kite contest. We also would like to thank the Advocacy and Resource Center staff, Clinton County Fairgrounds staff, RSVP volunteers and friends that volunteered many hours to make Fall Festival 2009 a success.
Theresa M. Garrow
Executive director
Advocacy and Resource Center
Plattsburgh
Opinion
November 19, 2009
Letters to the Editor: Nov. 20, 2009
- Editorial
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Editorial: The real reason for the holiday
Today is for creating new memories. Tomorrow, we should pause to remember. Memorial Day weekend, being the first big holiday of the sun season, is all about barbecues, picnics and outdoor activities; it is all about family and friends. After a North Country winter, even a fairly mild one like we just had, we need to relax in the sun and enjoy the outdoors.
- Editorial: Bright future, looking ahead
- Editorial: Mail cuts will be fact of life
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Editorial: The real reason for the holiday
- Cheers and Jeers
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Cheers and Jeers: May 21, 2012
JEERS to people who don't moderate their language in public; and CHEERS to the Plattsburgh Noon Rotary Club.
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Cheers and Jeers: May 21, 2012
- Letters to the Editor
- Speakout
- In My Opinion
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In My Opinion: Cultural issues need attention
Amid the various issues debated as we approach the next elections, two are important to all individuals here, as in the rest of the country: debates over birth control and over interest owed on student loans, writes Plattsburgh State professor Mark Cohen.
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In My Opinion: Cultural issues need attention
