Letters to the Editor: Nov. 23, 2009

Seniors grateful
TO THE EDITOR: The Keeseville Senior Citizens Club sends our sincere thanks to all who contributed articles for our annual raffle: Applebee's Restaurant, Ausable Tours, Anne Porter, Armston Biz Box, Bill Russel, Attorney, Brennda Wemette, IGA Keeseville, C&C; Hair Salon (Sandy), Clare & Carls, Donna's Beauty Salon, Dads' Video, Friendly's Restaurant, Fuller's Excavating, George Moore, Homestead Restaurant, Hamilton's Funeral Home, Hart's Used Cars, Jade Restaurant, Keeseville Wine & Liquor, Keeseville Pharmacy, Keeseville Hardware, Kathy's Beauty Salon, Loremans, LCT Pass, Keeseville Mobil Station, McLeans Restaurant, North Country Club Restaurant, NAPA Store, Pray's Market, Pepsi Co, Pleasant Corners Restaurant, Price Chopper, Ricky Miller, Ruth Guglielmo, Security Concepts and Sherman Bezio.

Also many thanks to those who helped obtain these gifts: Brenda Wemette, Marion Perott and Tina Way. Thanks Again.

Ruth Guglielmo

President

Keeseville

Donate just 1 item
TO THE EDITOR: This is a small, but very effective tip I received and want to "pass it on!" If everyone who is able could just donate one item to grocery store food shelf bins, just think what a difference this would make to local food shelves, especially during this particularly needy time of year. To most, it wouldn't really "hurt" at all. It's just a matter of making it a great new habit that will help so many people, especially with the tough economy these days.

Also, Please remember to "pass on" any good deeds done to you. We really do need to help each other. God bless.

Joanne M. Broderick

Peru

Accountable for fluoride
TO THE EDITOR: On Sept. 24, the Clinton County Board of Health submitted a letter to Don Kazprzak and members of the Common Council reaffirming their support of community water fluoridation. Prior to, the BOH received material (DVDs, articles, etc.) and heard two presentations from concerned citizens regarding the adverse effects of artificially adding industrial waste to our water supply.

Conversely, the BOH heard from Julie Reuther, a dental hygienist from Albany (which doesn't fluoridate), touting how we will all benefit so greatly from ingesting this body-crippling toxin. Subsequently to Julie's farcical presentation, opponents were not permitted to ask questions or challenge her information. The BOH went so far as to cancel the next month's meeting, as we had once again requested to speak out and respond to Julie's fairy tale. All points aside, the BOH does not espouse freedom of choice. Freedom is the key word. All members voted "yes" to fluoridate with one member excused. Pathetic. But let me backtrack.

Since June of this year, I had been attempting to get some answers from Jon Ruff, environmental manager at the water treatment plant, regarding the fluoride being added to our water. The process was slow.

Finally, after consulting the city's own Web site and at the intimation of Ruff and Chief Plant Operator Bill Todd, we (two to three city councilors included) decided to set up a tour of the facility to obtain the answers to our questions. Basically, we utilized all appropriate channels to do so. Then the mayor found out and all hell broke loose.

Don K. called the Department of Homeland Security and the chief of police. Why would he call federal authorities and the chief of police when he knows we are trying to remove the poison, not introduce it! It's apparent that there is something to hide. What is it? Sodium silicofluoride, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCLWb_THzfE. It is not pharmaceutical grade, and there has never been a double blind study proving its safety.

So if and when your councilor and mayor vote to poison you on Nov. 19, please hold them and the BOH accountable. They will have put your health at risk.

Chris Dewey

Plattsburgh

Protect from smoke
TO THE EDITOR: It's easy to see that a significant number of people in this community care about health. At the American Heart Association Heart Walk in September, I had the opportunity to speak to individuals about tobacco policies here in our own community.

Although most people understand the benefits of being tobacco-free, the benefits of tobacco policies are less understood. Second-hand smoke causes approximately 3,000 lung-cancer-related deaths among non-smokers each year with an additional 35,000 deaths attributed to heart disease. Exposure to second-hand smoke in any environment increases one's risk of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. These statistics could be dramatically reduced by decreasing exposure to second-hand smoke in a variety of settings.

A recent survey conducted by the Adirondack Tobacco Free Network shows support for the expansion of the current clean indoor air law to include outdoor areas. Support is highest for tobacco-free playgrounds, followed by areas around building entry ways, municipal pools, public beaches and recreational parks. Outdoor tobacco policies that protect the public from second-hand smoke, promote cleaner communities, and support healthy activity and lifestyle are becoming more common. Municipalities, businesses and health-care centers in Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties, are setting examples by implementing tobacco-free grounds policies. Creating tobacco-free environments decreases the social "norm" associated with tobacco use, and provides adults the opportunity to be tobacco-free role models, which could significantly decrease youth tobacco use in the future.

Recreational areas are meant to provide a safe place for community activities and wellness. You can make a difference by asking your local town or village officials to adopt policies for parks, beaches and recreational areas and by showing support for businesses with tobacco free grounds policies.

Sarah Boyce

SUNY Plattsburgh nursing student

Plattsburgh

Emergency declaration?
TO THE EDITOR: I still would like to know if Mayor Ernest Guerin, Village of Port Henry, 546-9933, has contacted Gov. Patterson to ask him to call upon Washington to declare the Crown Point situation a federal emergency. I ask this because I don't think the governor can unilaterally make the request without a request from the local community.

I think having the Crown Point bridge closing declared a federal emergency would bring a swifter answer and not only save New Yorkers tax monies, but permit affected individuals to individually and directly claim monies where job loss and business losses have been a result of the bridge closing.

The FEMA Web site link is at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/dec_proc.pdf. And the FEMA contact information is FEMA-Correspondence-Unit@dhs.gov, telephone 800 621-FEMA (3362); TDD 800 462-7585, fax 800 827-8112. The old saw that we can do it ourselves may this time be really a poor choice, as the Army Corps of Engineers could come in and put up at temporary bridge at Crown Point within a week or so.

But then, I suppose, we can always just sit and wait around until December or whenever the ferry is finally up and running. After all, what's a month or two of unemployment?

Roberta M. Roy

Port Henry

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