Which Owens?

TO THE EDITOR: If you are supporting Bill Owens for Congress, which Bill Owens are you supporting? 

Are you supporting the Bill Owens who was running for Congress and said he didn’t know how he was going to vote on Obamacare, or the Bill Owens who voted for Obamacare on his first day in Washington to find out what was in it? 

Are you supporting the Bill Owens who says he supports North Country values or the Bill Owens who continues to vote for Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House?

Are you supporting the Bill Owens who says he wants to help small businesses, or the Bill Owens who voted for card check to take the secret ballot out of union elections and make it impossible for small businesses to properly present their side in an election?

Are you supporting the Bill Owens who falsely claims he created 20,000 jobs with PARC or the Bill Owens who in reality did a little legal paperwork for those who actually created the jobs?

Are you supporting the Bill Owens who says he will protect our individual freedoms, or the Bill Owens who co-sponsored the SOPA bill to allow the government to take away your Internet freedom without any due process of law?

Are you supporting the Bill Owens who had a wonderful vacation paid for by a foreign lobbyist or the Bill Owens who, after he was caught, paid the lobbyist back so it didn’t really happen?

Are you supporting what Bill Owens says or what Bill Owens does?

I could go on and on with this list, but I’m not supporting any of the Bill Owenses listed above. He can’t be trusted.

RON JACKSON

Essex County Republican

Committee chairman

Military costs

TO THE EDITOR: Expenses for health care, welfare and education account for almost 40 percent of the current federal budget.

However, national defense expenses by themselves account for at least 25 percent and perhaps as much as 50 percent of the federal budget if you add in the cost of two wars.

According to a study by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, “though it’s the same size, the same shape and has the same abilities, the U.S. military (now) costs 35 percent more than it did a decade ago.”

Part of the problem is outdated weapons. For example, we have an estimated 2,500 intercontinental ballistic missiles that we continue to store and maintain. Although the USSR hasn’t been “the enemy” for more than two decades, we haven’t yet figured out to destroy the ICBMs. In the meantime, how do you use them against terrorists?

Another part of the problem is sophisticated new weapons promoted by members of Congress who lobby for them to be manufactured in their district. These include aircraft that don’t fly and ships the Navy doesn’t need. It doesn’t matter whether they work — and many don’t — they create jobs. 

We elect our president and our Congress, but in the end, it’s “we, the people” who are responsible. Democracy isn’t just “freedom” or “liberty.” With those benefits comes something called responsibility — not just for ourselves but for those we elect to represent us.

Whether you plan to vote for Obama or Romney, we need a public debate on national policy and especially military policy and its cost.

Hopefully, that will be before the next war, which appears may be with Iran. 

BILL COWAN

Plattsburgh

Helped with jobs

TO THE EDITOR: I am not aware of any venue in which Bill Owens has claimed to have “single-handedly” brought 2,000 jobs to the area.

The printed material I have seen and the script we are given when we make campaign phone calls for Bill all say clearly that he “helped bring 2,000 jobs” here.

MARY DOSSIN

Chazy

Conservatives back Stec

TO THE EDITOR: The Conservative Party believes Queensbury Town Supervisor/Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman Daniel G. Stec is prepared to lead as representative of the 114th Assembly District.

Daniel G. Stec emulates Conservative principles, is politically savvy, has served in various capacities and committees to Town of Queensbury and Warren County since January 2000.  

Supervisor Stec holds a Bachelor in Science degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, is a graduate of Naval Nuclear Power School and MBA from the University of Rhode Island. Daniel G. Stec is a military veteran, qualified to supervise, operate and maintain Naval nuclear propulsion plants, served as lieutenant, is two-time recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal as instructor, curriculum development officer and engineering division officer.

Dan Stec was honored with the prestigious endorsement of the National Rifle Association, earning an AQ rating; his opponent received an F rating.

What does that tell us? It tells us that Dan Stec will fight for you, the residents of the 114th District, and protect your rights under the U.S. Constitution. The evidence is clear. His opponent will not.

Dan promises to bring his proven fiscal conservatism with him to office, make reducing the crushing weight of unfunded mandates a top priority and believes this problem is at the root of the state’s highest tax burden and unfriendly business environment.

We believe that Supervisor Stec will work toward lowering taxes and building a sustainable economy.

Based on Dan Stec’s experience, record and insight into the issues facing the North Country, we look forward to victory in this November election.

Vote right. Vote Conservative. Vote Stec.

CAROL BIRKHOLZ

Chairwoman

Warren County

Conservative Committee

Water’s too cold

TO THE EDITOR: Thank you, Ken Wibecan, for the column on the PARC Wellness Center. His words are exactly how I feel, but I am not sure I could have written them so eloquently.

Doing the aerobics class at PARC was one of the best things I have ever done for myself.  I, like Ken, have lost quite a bit of weight, and this was my way of keeping an active healthy lifestyle.

Unfortunately, I was one of the people who had to cancel my membership at PARC. I have arthritis and degenerative spine disease, and my body could not tolerate the colder water temperatures. I was suddenly having cramps in my back, arms and legs.

Like many of the other men and women doing the aerobics class, I began this exercise after being advised by my doctors that water exercise was the best type of workout for my issues. Let me assure you, I was really upset when I could no longer go. Also, let me assure you that we are not a bunch of “folks” floating around in a pool having a “play date.” The exercise was one-hour long with warmups, aerobics, stretches and cool downs. Our instructor was well-educated in the dos and don’ts of her group and was in tune with each of us. It was very obvious her first interest was our well being. Kudos to Bridgette.

It became obvious quickly that things were not going to change to accommodate our needs. Since this began as a “wellness program” under the umbrella of CVPH Medical Center, I thought they might intervene for us, so I called one of the administrators I knew at the hospital. After a week or so, it became obvious this was not going to happen.

It is sad to note that seniors and other folks with disabilities in our community do not rank where they should on the “wellness ladder.” I am 64 years old, lived in Plattsburgh all my life and have never written a Letter to the Editor, but this is too important and affects too many people to let it go unnoticed. 

MARY LOU BEAUHARNOIS

Plattsburgh

Highly respected

TO THE EDITOR: Residents of the North Country are most fortunate indeed, to have Janet Duprey as their assemblywoman.

Her vast experience in private business, nine years as a Clinton County legislator, 20 years as Clinton County treasurer and six years as our representative in the Assembly is without equal.

Her extensive background and total understanding of the needs of the North Country make her the obvious choice to continue as our representative in Albany.

Janet not only understands our needs, she knows how to fulfill them. Janet is not afraid, when necessary, to reach across the aisle to communicate, negotiate and reach consensus in attaining her goals. As a result, she has gained the highest respect of all of her colleagues in Albany.

After all, isn’t that what democracy and the two-party system is all about? Isn’t that how it is supposed to work? Sitting down together, communicating and working things out? Janet is a role model for all politicians on every level, local, state or federal.

I have known Janet for many years, long before she entered public service. I can personally attest to her honesty, loyalty, dedication and excellent moral character. Janet is doing a tremendous job for all of us in Albany.

Please join me on Nov. 6 as I vote for Janet Duprey to continue working for us as our assemblywoman.

RON ALLEN

Peru

Supporting Duprey

TO THE EDITOR: The most important things anyone can say about someone in public office is that they are truly there to serve the people who elected them.  That they have the courage, after studying all aspects of a proposed bill, to vote the way they feel best serves the majority of the people they serve.  They do so without regard for the possible effect their vote may have on their chances of re-election.  Janet Duprey exhibits these very positive characteristics.

Whether you always agree with her or not, you know she has acted with integrity, kindness and a true desire to help her constituents.  I cannot think of anyone I would rather have representing me in Albany.  She is doing, and will continue to do, an excellent job. 

Please join me on Nov. 6 when I vote to re-elect Janet Duprey as our representative  in the N.Y. Assembly.

CAROL ALLEN

Peru