Thrilled to help

TO THE EDITOR: As many of us know, the twilight years is a period of slowing down, and the body's way of saying it's time for change.

Sometimes along the way, there's sickness that needs science, prayers and help from others.

Earl Southmayd and Donnie Perkins are known to share and deliver the flavor of music across the North Country. Sometimes they are a duo and other times in a group. Earl sings songs by the hundreds, and Donnie is one of the best fiddlers ever heard in the North Country.

They were both dealt an illness that takes strong determination and will to survive. Earl has fought the battle of pancreatic cancer and is again stronger than an ox, and Donnie was in the hospital much of the summer with multiple problems.

During that time, Earl asked me, with my fiddle, to backfill in the absence of Donnie Perkins, during their customary gigs. I consider it a privilege and honor, being asked to fill Donnie's shoes with my fiddle, and I now thank Earl for that privilege.

Donnie and Earl are again up, and running. Prayers from gatherings of gracious country-music fans is a significant part and reason they are again making music.

The afterthought could be taken out of early American history. The day is for labor, then supper time comes, then home-grown music when day's work is done.

REGINALD MILLER

West Chazy

Counting inmates

TO THE EDITOR: The Press-Republican editorial "Inequity must be addressed" of Nov. 29 is a fascinating mix of misinformation.

The manner in which the prison population of New York state will be counted for state and local redistricting is an important public topic. So it is important for the public to be provided with clear and accurate information.

First of all, the editorial incorrectly refers to "congressional" redistricting. The new state law that counts inmates at their homes of record will have absolutely no effect on the realignment of federal congressional district boundaries because those are based on federal census figures, period.

Secondly, the editorial claims that "20,000 inmates in New York's prisons have no known home addresses." This unattributed figure was disputed by Peter Cutler, spokesman for the State Department of Correctional Services, as quoted by Joseph Spector, Gannet News Service, in an article published about 10 days ago.

And finally, the editorial seems to suggest that even our counties should include the number of inmates found in state and federal prisons when drawing up local legislative districts or when calculating weighted votes.

Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties have, very properly, decided that prison populations should be deducted from census figures for purposes of local reapportionment. Otherwise, the concentration of inmates in places like Dannemora and Malone can force the creation of county districts with very few actual voters, and this bizarre result will fail to survive a legal challenge in the courts.

If the Press-Republican truly advocates that Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties all reverse course and include prisoner counts for purposes of local reapportionment, then you should make that clear.

Compliments to the Press-Republican for bringing public attention to this issue.

Daniel Jenkins

Tupper Lake