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Cheers & Jeers

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September 6, 2010

Cheers and Jeers: Sept. 6, 2010

Press-Republican

CHEERS to all the organizers and volunteers at our three county fairs. Many fair-goers have commented on how happy they were with the experience this year. The 4-H organizations, as usual, sponsored many displays and competitions. There were a wide variety of kid friendly activities, and the rides were suited for all ages (though the ride prices, as always, inspired some grumbling). Credit should be given to the many EMTs and firefighters who were on hand to provide for the safety of fair-goers and contestants. In addition, smoke-free zones allowed for spectators to watch shows in comfort. People who attended the Clinton, Franklin or Essex fair this year had good weather and a zesty variety of offerings to entertain and enlighten. They were all excellent representations of what a county fair should be.

JEERS to schools that had held full-gear football practice last week during the 90-plus-degree heat wave. Some of the kids were modified — barely in high school or not out of middle school. Football helmets and 92-degree heat seem an unsafe combination, even for the most macho of coaches.

CHEERS to school districts that still publish calendars and newsletters for their students, parents and community members. It's very tempting, in these electronic times, to just send parents to the website for information, but that leaves out families who don't have Internet access and those who don't have the time to go looking for the information. Some districts have cut out the calendars and newsletters as a cost-saving measure. Very understandable. But maybe a few fundraisers or a little help from the PTO can cover the cost of these mailings. We all know the flaws of relying on students to bring home information to parents, and the calendars and newsletters, if distributed community-wide, can result in understanding, knowledge and interest from taxpayers who don't have children in the district. The calendar we just received from Saranac Central School is packed with information, not only about scheduled events but about school policy.

CHEERS to the Plattsburgh Public Library for its book drop on the northwest corner of Oak and Brinkerhoff streets, just outside the library. The library's director, Stanley Ransom, and board worked hard to raise the $4,500 needed to buy the box and have it installed. The library's budget never seemed to be able to accommodate what might have been regarded in some circles as an "extra." Our guess is that, once everybody gets used to having the box available, it will never again be thought of as an extra. Before the arrival of the box, patrons often found it inconvenient to return a book because of the traffic around the library. Parking was a problem, and double-parking was never much of an option because of the volume of traffic. The book-drop box is situated in a no-parking area, so it should never be difficult to just drive down Brinkerhoff, deposit the book and be on your way. It's a great enhancement for the library and its users.

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Cheers & Jeers