Tax

To the tax-and-spend liberal socialist who wrote in the 8/16 Speakout that we should tax bikers: I say, "New York, Love it or Leave It!" If you don't like the way we do things here then I suggest you emigrate to Canada where they have adopted socialism, but I don't think they tax bicycles so maybe China is a better place for you.

Happily

Speaking of grammar, "bank happy" should be "bank happily," as they are using "bank" as a verb. Using the adjective "happy," means they are using "bank" as a noun, so all those ads mean the physical bank itself is happy.

Rules

The Plattsburgh Housing Authority raises its iron fist yet again. A new degree has been issued. There are to be no children's toys in evidence in the front (main) courtyard. No bikes. No wagons. No balls. No wading pools. Even sidewalk chalk pictures must be washed away at end of day. I pay more than $700 a month to live there. I'm trying to save for a house. We are so micro-managed that I feel as though we're living in a Nazi internment camp.

Change

About the Board of Directors at Mountain Lake Services finally doing something about the administration of the Essex ARC....this is a good move and it's long overdue that they check into what is going on with the day-to-day operations. Don't bring them back; let's make this a year of change. Change with positive attitudes and staff interactions with management would be so nice.

Staff

Mountain Lake Services has been sucking up too much money from the taxpayers, and there are too many fat cats at the top of the agency making way too much money. It's about time they see what is going on there in the books and redo the way they manage staff workforce. Change is good for everyone.

Pirate

Is society really this stuck in the past? Everyone, whenever they see someone with an eye patch, still associates them with being a pirate. Some people can't afford glass eyes, and just choose the eye patch, and what do they get? People looking at them and thinking "pirate". I am deeply offended by any of these thoughts, and I strongly urge any person who still thinks this way to reconsider.

Islam

Islam is not just a religion, nor is it a just religion. It is a geopolitical entity seeking to expand its territory. Our constitution guarantees "freedom of religion" and also prevents government-sponsored religion. Islam is not only government sponsored in other countries, it is the government in some countries. Muslims seek to conquer other countries and establish "pure Islamic states." Politicians who do not understand this threat to our way of life should not be running our government and should be voted out as soon as possible.

Sting

Since Chris Ortloff passed a lie detector concerning any illegal activity with minors, his crime seems diminished. Many people have expressed strong desire to see Mr. Ortloff suffer greatly for a single crime that has no actual victim(s). If the victims in a sting are non-existent, the crime loses some substance. It comes very close to prosecution of a thought crime, as in the novel "1984". If a sting is the only way to prevent some types of crime, that's what we are stuck with. Are the police also looking for parents who prostitute their children?

Crosswalks

In New York state, pedestrians have the right of way but only at a crosswalk. So when you barrel past one and pay no attention to the person standing there waiting for a stop in traffic. You, dear driver, are in violation of the law and the police truly should be cutting those tickets as well. Think ahead next time you approach a crosswalk. Slow down, look and if someone is waiting, stop and let them cross. It's the law.

Fluoride

So Plattsburgh jumped on the Vermont bandwagon and is "ordering: phosphate-free detergent. When are you sheep going to wake up and realize the fluoride and the chlorine going in to your drinking water are the cause for the algae? They both contain phosphates. Read the label! Still feel stupid for paying for something that falls free from the sky? Still think bottled water is "trendy"?

Property

The Canadian bikers were spotted (by me) reading the memorial plaques along their tour route, inspecting the grapes and apples at the vineyards and orchards on Route 9. But their wheels wobbled at the shameful and distinctive landmarks on Route 9 at the corners of the causeway entrance on to Cumberland Head and at the top of Caulkins Road. At what point would these property owners realize that addition by subtraction would not only be the neighborly thing to do, it would be a good economic decision. C'mon Clinton County — help them along. Help us.

Topics

Don't you think, as a community, we have more important topics to "Speakout" about rather than hairdressers, neighbors mowing their lawns on Sundays, BYOB (really?) and church bells? I am appalled, at times, to read such ridiculousness published in our newspaper. Hasn't anybody heard the phrase "think before you speak?" Well this applies in many areas and the Speakout submission form should certainly be one of them.

Thanks

We would like to thank the Saranac Fire/Rescue for taking the time to help us get our cat out of our neighbor's tree after being there for almost four days. We found them to be very efficient, caring and got right to business after they saw she was up 60 feet. The fire chief was there to check out the situation and had someone help the next morning at daylight. Three cheers to the Saranac Fire Deptartment chief and his crew.

Grammar

To the person complaining about grammar, perhaps they should learn the difference between to and too.