Lawsuit

Comfort Inn owner filing lawsuit— Why did you wait so long— A fire had taken place once before, and you had some repairs done. Why did the first fire happen— When you built the building originally, did you have qualified journeymen electricians with classroom and on-the-job training— Yes, most of them belong to a union, but you get what you pay for. How many fully qualified union electricians did you contract with on the rebuild— None— You should have learned a lesson the first time. Cheap doesn't pay in the long wrong. Quality does!

Revenue

Tax the Akwesasne! A little overtime paid to the State Police to quell their unrest would be worth the return investment in tax revenue.

Heron

A beautiful Sunday morning at Macomb Park was turned into a sad day. While walking my dog, I happened upon a dead grey heron that had been shot and left to rot. I cannot understand why anyone would want to harm this creature. It had become trusting and would stand still when we walked by. Your shotgun shells were only 30 feet from that magnificent bird. I hope you do not consider yourself a hunter or sportsman as you are neither.

Cameras

I think it would benefit Plattsburgh to install red-light cameras in some of their busier areas downtown. Within a period of about five minutes, I witnessed three vehicles speed up to avoid having to stop at the intersection, only to end up running the red light. One of these vehicles almost hit my car. A car can withstand some impact, but it would be far worse if one of these drivers were to hit people.

Complaining

Stop complaining about the NY State Police. Concern yourself with criticizing those who are a detriment to our community instead of putting down the only ones trying to restore some respect.

Report

If you have witnessed a crime or have information that may help solve a crime, report it! Give your name so that you can testify. You are not a cop caller, you are a good citizen. Take pride in your community, and stand up for what is right.

Super

I wish everybody a super duper day. May your day be a great one, you have good customers to deal with, nobody on their cell phone, that people driving their vehicles actually use their directionals so you know which way they are turning. All cars are equipped with them; please use them. It's not just about you when you are driving. Give respect, get respect.

Coaches

In response to Coaches: Don't try to figure them out. They are mystery people. They take the best players and cut them, then they say don't give up. And being responsible is to keep trying, never give up. Politics is the base for it all.

Cuts

NCCS cut teachers, bus drivers, aids, but never any administrator. Now I hear they are adding an administrator. Seems like they never get looked at for cuts. Maybe we need to go to board meetings and ask questions—

Field

I am a proud parent of a child who is on a Peru Pal football team. I was just wondering why the children who participate are not allowed to use the varsity field, surely it is not their 30 to 100 pounds that would tear up the field. Every other school district allowed their future athletes the opportunity to play on the big field. As a taxpayer, I hope this would change next year.

Food

Choices (Oct. 25) finds it "offensive ... that only skim milk and wheat bread are offered. Forcing children to eat certain items is wrong." I could not agree more. These elitists are trying to control our diets now. The school can't force my kids to eat whole wheat bread and skim milk. My kids like marshmallow fluff white-bread sandwiches and Pepsi for lunch with Twinkies for desert. I will just have pack their lunches to show that we are not going to be dictated to.

Playing

Re: Varsity. Before your child signs up for a sport compare the names of the kids to the coaches, teachers, board members, principals, etc. These kids will play regardless of talent. Your child is needed during practice sessions to throw passes, retrieve the ball, etc. for the privileged players to help them. Yes, your child is dedicated and attends all of the practices, sells all of his products and tickets, but don't expect him or her to play for more than five minutes (playing time) total during the whole season. It doesn't work that way. Lesson: Hard work doesn't always pay.

Safety

My daughter plays for a local JV girls' soccer team. We played the Beekmantown JV girls recently. The Beekmantown team played the entire game with 10 players. Normally, 11 players are on the field for a team. Despite being a player down the whole game, Beekmantown played a spirited contest. According to some BCS parents, this was the third game in a row that they had competed in with less than a full team. How could the Beekmantown administration allow this to happen— We're talking about young children, isn't this a safety concern— What about liability concerns— Safety first.

Embarrassing

I chose to write in Speakout to avoid naming the adult who sat at the Saranac-Beekmantown football game. This father shouted for someone to punch a certain player in the (expletive) head. The player he was referring to was on his own team. What horrible sportsmanship to show all of the students who were there to support and encourage their team. Regardless of the outcome, we are all proud of the efforts of the players, win or lose. If it upsets you so much, stay home next time. Your behavior was embarrassing and childish.

Constitution

How does the current administration justify "Obamacare" under the "commerce clause" in the Constitution when it bans buying health insurance across state lines— Where in the Constitution does it mention "separation of church and state—" Please obtain a copy of the Constitution and keep it handy. Read and reread it when people try to interpret it for you. By the way, the Constitution says "the government shall enact no laws regarding the establishment of religion." This does not ban religion.

Handguns

I see another Obama hater sent in another lie. Contrary to your statement, President Obama did not impose a tax on handgun owners. The Handgun Safety and Registration Act of 2000 stayed in committee without ever being brought up for a vote. That act would have taxed gun manufactures $50, not individual owners. Please note the year, 2000. I can understand honest disagreement with our president. However, one should check the facts and not parrot misinformation, lies and hateful speech.

Requirements

Did the editor on "Volunteerism" come right out of the Jerry Springer Show— Many hospice volunteers in several counties are up in arms at the manner in which you portrayed the process. Perhaps if you knew all the details of what NYS Department of Health now requires in order for a volunteer and or staff to be compliant, you would not be so quick to kill the messenger. It is the author of this editorial that is quite disturbing and a killer of volunteerism. When was the last time you had to deal with your HR Department and its requirements—

Smoke

To the schmuck who wrote Fires on 10/25; I do believe smokers are already outside, and the real "whiners" still aren't happy. But I do believe the one you referred to as Smokey the Bear was trying to make a point: Minor second-hand smoke from one lit cigarette, as you enter/exit a building, versus half a cord of firewood burning, creating 100 times more. If the complainant used his/her washer and shower as often as you suggested, then he would be wasting water, and then the "greenies" would be whining. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Whining

To the author of Fires on 10/25 referring to Smokey Bear. It's called sarcasm. Look it up. I read and listen to people whine about second-hand smoke from one cigarette, yet don't seem to have a problem with smoke from a campfire. If you take a botany lesson, you'll find the harmful chemicals in cigarettes are the same in wood. A plant is a plant. Carbon based. The only thing the anti-smoking fanatics haven't done is blame us for global warming. So when it comes to second-hand smoke, stop global whining.

Tortured

When I went to Plattsburgh State, I felt tortured. Why— Because I was in a dorm full of drunk partiers. Day and night, they were wild. I had to go to the home of a female cleaning lady and sleep on her couch so I could get rest and pass a test the next day. Finally, I was able to transfer into a quiet hours (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) dorm. Not all Plattsburgh State students want to get drunk, party and destroy things. I wanted to go to class without walking through marijuana smoke, study in quiet and graduate.

Thoughtless

Last night was the Cardinal game exhibition. Because of all the construction going on in the parking lot, they have dug trenches to re-establish a curb. This ditch did not have fencing around it, or lighting, and due to the lack of light and the big ditch in the middle of the grass, my boyfriend and I observed an older lady and her husband holding the back of her head. Out of the some 30 people that walked by my boyfriend and I were the only one's who stopped to make sure she was OK. The only ones.

SSI

Are you interested in stimulating the NY state economy and a balanced state budget— Reform SSI. Hire investigators statewide to crack down on the fraud that is rampant. Do your part and contact your state representative to voice your disgust. We are losing millions of tax dollars.