Effect on airport

TO THE EDITOR: With all due regard to the officials in the City of Plattsburgh and the County Legislature, there is a serious problem with the location of the compost plant, not obvious to most people.

Totally disregarding the odor problem, which has been horrendous, even three miles north of its location, there has been no consideration of the effect this will have on Plattsburgh International Airport.

When that plant was operating, I was working on the base as it was closing. More than once, there were smoke and steam problems that actually interfered with aircraft landing and taking off.

That facility is one mile, at an angle of 315 degrees magnetic, from the north threshold of runway 35. It is actually in the approach/departure pattern for the single runway at the airport. That means it could seriously interfere with the traffic we have in and out of the airport.

Something must be done, before the Federal Aviation Administration gets involved and forces the city to demolish that plant.

Remember, the base was still open when that compost plant was constructed, and the county, city, and town had no real problems, as the FAA was not involved. Now, that organization is required to be involved.

Doyle Frost

Plattsburgh

Support for events

TO THE EDITOR: On Feb. 5, the Sunrise Rotary Club of Plattsburgh celebrated winter and promoted a healthy lifestyle to fight heart disease with two public events that benefited local organizations.

We kicked off the day with the Wacky Winter Carnival on the CVPH lawn, an opportunity for the community to enjoy family-oriented, heart-healthy outdoor activities. As a result, residents donated over 200 pounds of food to the Food Shelf. That evening, attention turned to supporting Go Red for Women, which focuses on heart disease as the No. 1 killer of women. Red lights were illuminated on the tree outside the Arts Center — to stay lit through February — followed by an inspiring performance by the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir.

Over 800 community residents took part in the activities. I want to thank the many volunteers and organizations who helped make these events a huge success; CVPH for providing the ideal venue to host the carnival, which included an inside facility that enabled children to enjoy arts and crafts; the Town of Plattsburgh for supplying the cross-country skis and snowshoes; and Y106.3, which broadcast from the carnival all day.

Thanks to the Arts Center for providing space for the evening in support of the fight against heart disease. Of course, without the assistance of the mayor and the Department of Public Works, we would not have a tree or lights. Lastly, I would like to thank the Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir for their participation and performance. Their enthusiasm and energy gave life to a worthwhile event.

While those two events were going, Sunrise Rotary, along with the Noon Rotary Club and the Malone Rotary Club, presented Shelter Box at Champlain Centre. The program provides victims of flood, hurricanes and other disasters temporary shelter along with cooking and surviving gear to assist until permanent facilities can be obtained.

RONALD A. MARINO

President

Sunrise Rotary Club of Plattsburgh