Making a difference

TO THE EDITOR: On Monday, Sept. 20, our brother, Ken Ducatte, died. This is a thank you and a tribute to all those people who made a difference in his life. Ken was an inspiration to many for he loved life and struggled to be with us to the very end. How grateful his family is to all those who made his life worthwhile. We do not know all of you, but our hearts are full with gratitude to all who gave of their time on the phone or in person. Maybe you helped him cross the street; he walked so many years wielding his white cane with the certainty that he was always safe on the streets of Plattsburgh. To the angels — both staff and volunteers at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home and the Renal Center of CVPH — you took a scary and difficult experience for Ken and made a place he could look forward to and take comfort in your loving friendships. It was like an extended family in both places. We have no way of thanking you all personally, but want you all to know that you did make a pleasant and loving difference in his life and ours, and we hope you are blessed forever. Evergreen was a real home to Ken, and the family felt the kindness and thoughtfulness of all the staff over those last days of his struggle. Ken was at dialysis three days a week. The staff there, as well as the volunteers, were amazing. Instead of dreading those days, he somehow looked forward to them. We can’t forget the WIRY staff for the way in which only we know how Ken depended on them for information and Yankee ballgames. You brought joy and comfort to a soul that really appreciated it. Thank you to all the many friends that honored his life in your attendance at the service or who spoke to us or sent your condolences.

PAT IVES And family of Ken Ducatte

Plattsburgh

Temperature complaint

TO THE EDITOR: I am a senior citizen and registered nurse, and I had joined the PARC Wellness Center. I wanted to do the water exercises for my arthritis in my hips. The water was so cold I resigned. Please up the temperature, and I will go back. 

RENATE PETERSON

Chazy

Follow wishes

TO THE EDITOR: Would you like to have your Republican president be known as a liar? Mitt Romney has lied dozens of times during his race for the White House. Many have been made public, but all can be proven without a doubt. Even Romney's Republican colleagues during the Republican primaries called him a “liar” and the “worst possible choice for the Republican Party." Need I say more? In addition, the Democrats must maintain their lead in the Senate and gain a lead in the House or we may still have a Congress of no progress and continue to have good bills defeated once again, such as Obama’s jobs bill, which could create hundreds of thousands jobs. I urge all Republicans to reconsider their representatives for election because many of them voted against the desires of their constituents.

HAROLD 'HAP' JENSEN

Plattsburgh

Door unlocked

TO THE EDITOR: With a $16 trillion debt hanging over us like the Sword of Damocles, I don’t spend sleepless nights worrying about Sandra Fluke’s right to free contraceptives or Harry’s right to marry Larry. If the definition of insanity is someone doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results, then QE3 (into perpetuity) indicates that someone in Washington forgot to lock the asylum door.

KENNETH G. BARCOMB

Altona