Loans
Shame on the banks! How can you give a person a loan for a house when they owe back bills, they have judgments against them and they don't even work? This is why it's hard for others to get loans, because it's people like this you are willing to loan for but not a hard-working person that is middle class. Everyone that wants to know why they can't get a loan. If you're middle class, forget it .... congrats to the losers and the loser banks that ruin it for the rest of us.
Finance
The City of Plattsburgh's Finance Department has grown by leaps and bounds. There are now more dwelling units, more individuals, more streets, infrastructure, electrical, sewer, water, etc., for the employees to take care of. As companies grow and their client base grows, they too must grow to provide for their clients. Since the city has grown, the workforce has not stayed pace with this growth. The problems at the Finance Department should never have been allowed to get to this point. Hire the people needed to get the job done.
SNL
Oh, come on, get over yourselves. The SNL skit was funny, I don't care who you are. If you were insulted, you need to lighten up, and you must not have any sense of humor. To make it even funnier, there are people demanding an apology, like that's ever going to happen. The skit was somewhat accurate, it's the way most downstate politicians think of upstate, and the description of rock-eaters is just another term for what a lot of people already think, that's hilarious. The skit also puts Plattsburgh on the map.
Vehicles
Town and state vehicles should be used for official business only. The IRS rate for mileage reimbursement is around 50 cents per mile. Do the math! County, town and state business officials should be held accountable. If you see or know of a vehicle chewing up our tax dollars like this, get the plate number and the decal identification on the side of the vehicle along with date and time and report it to a local elected representative.
Project
It is time for the voters of the NAC School District to realize that after 40 years, work needs to be done to keep the school buildings from crumbling down. The children of the NAC school district deserve an environment that is safe, secure and updated. Vote a resounding YES on March 22 to a project that has no tax impact on district residents.
NACS
The superintendent and the board of education at NAC should be applauded for recognizing that after three decades work needs to be done in the school buildings. The EXCEL grant money is the fiscally responsible way to go. Three cheers for an administration that has vision for the district.
PHS
I would like to applaud the PHS girls cheerleading team for cheering at both their girls and boys games. Although they have a really small squad, they are full of spirit, and it is nice to watch the girls cheer on not only the boys but to know that they must care enough about their girls programs to do this. I am not sure if it was their AD or the coach, but nice job to whoever decided to do this. As a fan, I find them quiet entertaining. Maybe the other schools could follow.
Parking
In regards to parking at PSU, we do pay for parking. This year, it was $78 per semester for resident students. This allows you to park your car if you can find a space; it does not guarantee a space to park in.
Special ed
Kudos to Mrs. Marlow for supporting the special-education system at NACS. I thought our board was supposed to act as a unified body, yet one member publicly let taxpayers know how she thought they could save money: by cutting the services of students who need it the most. Should we go back to segregating or institutionalizing those who learn differently? In case you were unaware, special-education service are mandated by federal law. Our board needs to decide what is important, being able to read or being able to hit a baseball. Make educated cuts and comments.
Taxed
All for nothing. I had my taxes done and forgot to put a check mark next to my government stimulus payment of $250. The tax-preparer person called to tell about the error. I figured what could an additional $250 do to the outcome of my federal taxes. You guessed it. I had to pay an additional $250 in tax.
Parking
Where is it that you expect parking lots should go up? Fill in Hawkins Pond, and pave it over? How about every spot of grass and every tree on campus? Everyone likes the greenery on campus, but no one wants to walk very far to class. Even when the campus offered a shuttle to drive you from Sibley parking lot to various stops on campus (including Hawkins and the ACC), no one rode it! A walk to class would probably do most people some good.
Handouts
Dear Mr. President, please explain to me why, I, a working single mother, cannot even receive the slightest assistance when needed because I hold a full-time job? I am not looking for a full-time handout, but times are tough thanks to you, and sometimes the working class needs a little hand up. Thanks for solidifying my decision, I will swallow my pride, quit my job and reap all the benefits of the government-dependent: free medical, food, housing, electricity, school clothes, and let's not forget my "bonus" income-tax refund check, even though I won't have paid any taxes.
President
Another article about PSU's former president? Why not more interest in the decisions and behaviors of PSU's current president?
Windmills
Mr. Pribis should know that the Rand Hill windmill site lies in the Saranac School District. The only way the town of Beekmantown could actually know what the majority of its taxpayers really think about windmills is to have a public vote. That would stop the speculation.
Job
A vote of no confidence toward the University Police officers who are trying to crucify their superiors — if you're not happy with your high-paying, low-demand job chasing college kids and issuing tickets, pack up and go elsewhere! There are many people who would take your job without whining that "someone is being mean to me" — do your job, and let your bosses do theirs — I'm sure their decisions have been made on circumstances you know nothing about — stop being petty and spend your time earning your big bucks.
Meetings
The Dannemora Town Council minutes for Jan. 13, 2010, show a resolution was passed to hold the town meetings alternating between the Dannemora Town Hall and the Lyon Mountain Fire Station, and one councilperson voted 'no,' stating the Association of Towns recommend holding meetings at the Town Hall. What this councilperson did not put on record is that the Association of Towns states town meetings must be held in a handicap-accessible building, which the Dannemora Town Hall is not and which is why I have been unable to attend the meetings.
Rugby
I have seen negative comments about high-school rugby in Speakout, and I would like to counter that. A., high-school rugby is played in the spring and does not conflict with football or soccer schedules; B., high-school rugby provides excellent fitness and cross-training opportunities for fall sports; and C., for school-tax-conscious taxpayers, parents, administrators and school boards, high-school rugby provides all the challenge, physicality and satisfaction of a football program for the cost of running a soccer program.
Caregivers
I have something to say about you day-care providers. Who do you think you all are, thinking you deserve vacation pay, holiday pay, sick pay and personal days paid? Why don't you all get a real job, and maybe we parents will consider you getting paid for these days, like we do at our hard-working jobs. All you do is sit around and color, watch TV with our kids all day. Try working a regular hard job like us. You day-care providers are overpaid; half of you are in pajamas all day and no makeup on.
Obama
Obama has strayed off course again. The people of this country have made it clear that their first priority is the economy and jobs. Obama has made it clear that his only objective is to pass a health-care bill that will bankrupt this country. It's time for a change. The zombies in Congress who blindly follow Obama instead of caring about the concerns of their constituents will be replaced in November. Bill Owens will be one of the first to go.
Truth
Truthful "¦ man, if you want honesty, go to church. Since when do politicians tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Since never, it's all polished and puffed up to look good, but once in office they can only produce what the majority vote for in those meetings, so don't blame just once person, as one person does not run the show. As for Mr. Barie "¦ Mark, no matter what you say, somebody someplace will make a comment "¦ good, bad or indifferent, so please don't let any of it weaken your step.
Cheerleaders
Congratulations to the Northeastern Clinton Central School varsity cheerleaders on their first-place win at this year's CVACs! You ladies lost a team member and friend when Morgin passed away but still had the heart to carry on to victory. Extra kudos to the new coach, Stephanie Gaudette, who took over halfway through the season.
Parade
I would like to take a second to thank all the firemen, policemen, nurses, etc., who assist the community, keep people safe and save lives every day. Just wondering when Saranac Lake is going to throw a parade for them. Oh well, at least we celebrate people who can ski really fast.
Satire
I know that residents of Plattsburgh are certainly sophisticated enough to look and laugh at the Feb. 27 SNL David Paterson sketch as reported on page 1 of the P-R. I did. If Plattsburgh residents truly were toothless idiots, SNL satire would not be funny. As a lifetime resident of Plattsburgh, I welcome the attention. I see the forest for the trees, as most upstate New Yorkers do. Now, I'm off to the dentist.
Basketball
Basketball sectionals are here again — and once again, the girls are snubbed in favor of the boys. The schedule is out, with the girls play beginning at 3, with the boys getting the late games. Families and friends would like to see the games, but the early time is prohibitive. When are the officials going to move into the 21st century and give girls equality?
Clerk
While browsing in a jewelry store recently, I overheard a sales clerk on the phone with a customer. After ending the call, this clerk made a comment about having to deal with the "customer from hell." The clerk also asked what time it was and "if this day would ever end." My thoughts are that if you aren't enjoying what you are doing, you really ought to look for another line of work. After all, you are in customer service and sales, correct? What did you have to say about me when I walked out the door?
Skit
Come on Bernie and Donald, SNL was poking fun at Gov. Paterson, not Plattsburgh. If they had made reference to small New York towns such as Clyde or Tivoli instead of us, would you have really given a rat's behind? Where is your sense of humor?
Cheering
It's a shame to see cheerleading squads deteriorating. I have watched as a basketball parent, and it seems like every school's teams are getting smaller and smaller. Parents, encourage your daughters to cheer if they don't do another sport. I would hate to see the local schools lose their programs. They bring life to the game, and I applaud not only the girls but the coaches that put in their time and effort. Three cheers for cheerleaders; now let's help all the schools make a comeback!
