To the Editor:

I want to commend the thoughtful Letter to the Editor “Working Together to Solve Village Woes,” in the April 20-26 issue of North Country This Week.

It presents a number of thoughtful and workable suggestions for addressing some of the Village of Potsdam’s troubles. These are the type of ideas one would hope our village officials and village institutional leaders are working on. It is time for all to come together in a positive, optimistic and productive manner to address financial and other matters here in Potsdam. It is to the benefit of all who live, work, recreate and otherwise do business in the Village.

Clearly the time for positive, optimistic and enlightened leadership is now before the village and all its problems are dumped into the proverbial toilet. The pun was totally intended. Isn’t it time to rise above the Pottytown moniker? Isn’t it time to make Potsdam the premier destination of the North Country? Isn’t it time to rise above failed hydro projects, trashed toilets, empty storefronts, and crumbling sidewalks?

How about creating an attractive, vibrant, diverse and pedestrian-friendly community. A community committed to the health and wellbeing of its citizens, businesses and institutions. A community led by creative, positive leaders with all of us supporting. How about some sort of vision for the community? Why not? All the resources are here. The only thing standing in the way is negativity, selfishness, failed leadership, and a lack of community will.

Thank you for suggesting some ideas to get the ball rolling.

John A. Lancaster

Potsdam