Here are recent "Letters to the Editor" of "North Country This Week." Letters should be 400 words or fewer and are subject to editing. They can be e-mailed to Letters@NorthCountryNow.com, faxed to 268-8701, mailed to P.O. Box 975, Potsdam, NY 13676 or dropped off at our office, 19 Depot St., Potsdam.

Tower ‘an infringement on families, children’

To the Editor:

The Martin homestead is a beautiful organic farm tucked into the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.

It is, in fact, a unique gathering place of literally thousands, from the surrounding communities, as they participate in planting, harvesting, crop care, the self-service vegetable stand and an expanded family experience in a safe, warm and pristine environment.

We feel compelled to do everything we can to protect and preserve such an extremely positive social and environmental experience.

According to Roy Horst, moderator of the local town planning board, the Martins and those who oppose a 200-foot cell tower in their back yard, a monolith of steel and broadcasting technology that would protrude and dominate this serene skyline, is a sign of their backward 19th century mentality. Board members were overheard saying this is actually a religious concern rather than a viable and widespread concern of the greater north St. Lawrence constituency.

Roy Horst is quoted in a recent Courier Observer article as saying the whole issue is simple. If it is legal, then just do it. It is our concern that many things have been done under the umbrella of “governmental sanctions” that have often resulted in a travesty to humanity. This is altogether not a “religious” issue as some of the key decision makers have stated.

It is our strongest conviction the proposed cell tower at this particular location is an infringement on the families and children, and of all the rural and urban inhabitants of our community.

Ken C. Zimmer
Potsdam

‘Negatives seem to be an easy headline’

To The Editor:

My concerns and views echo those of Michelle Hannon “It’s Tough To Keep A Sorority House Going,” June 18-24) regarding Craig Freilich’s article “25% Of Potsdam Frats Closed; Change In Community Character May Follow.”

Sometimes the most important life lessons occur outside of the traditional classroom setting. The Greek system at Potsdam and Clarkson has been historically an important component of both schools.

The bond of sisterhood and brotherhood span the years and brings me back to town on a regular basis. It is perhaps the single opportunity for students to become active members of the community by joining a house and managing it.

The opportunity to learn how to handle a home, create an operating budget, pay bills, maintain insurance, have repairs completed is a daunting task for most college students. The Greeks are facing the same issues we are as regular homeowners of escalating taxes and costs, and often turn to their alumni for support.

I am proud to say that Omega Delta Phi has made substantial improvements to the house infrastructure and, with the support of their alumni recently installed a new boiler and heating system. I am aware of the fact that when visited by the codes enforcement officer, the active members have complied with minor issues promptly and received compliments on the job they were doing. It is too bad that the community did not hear that until now.

As in any learning situation, the pathway is not always perfect and there are bound to be mistakes and stumbles along the way. I understand the frustration of residents, when the negatives seem to be an easy headline.

Rarely have I seen the fundraising and community service provided by the Greek community garner the same status as a lead story. However, in a true community setting, it behooves all parties to work together including the colleges to promote the value of the sororities and fraternities who are raising the bar.

The charm of Potsdam and the beautiful homes lies in its diversity as an educational community. Let’s not lose sight of that.

Donnalyn E. Shuster
St. Johnsville
President, Omega Delta Phi Alumni Association
Class of 1978 SUNY Potsdam

Great teams helped her get through tough time

To the Editor:

This is to all of you who cared.

I’d like to acknowledge the beautiful team at Canton-Potsdam hospital who took such good care of my husband John Riott from October 2007 to May 2008.

A new journey began for us after he was operated on. Then he caught a severe infection that made him sick for six weeks. Following that, he had to have chemotherapy.

We were in and out of the hospital several times, a journey where we witnessed the professionalism and the dedication of the nurses, LPN, nurse’s aides, doctors, case managers, emergency room team, ICU team, the whole crew of the cafeteria, the laboratory staff, the X-ray staff, the computer technicians, the valet, the volunteer Rakesh -- everybody participated in order to make our stay in the hospital pleasant despite that we wanted to be home.

John had many favorites which he got closer with. So, to Elizabeth with her nice accent and her ‘joie de vivre,‘ to Sheri with her ‘Hello Sunshine‘, to Anasthasiya so refreshing, to Mary-Jo in the ICU, to Michelle from the fourth floor, to Bob the smiley aide, to Misty, to the night shift team, Brenda, Betty (aide), Louise, to Doctor McCall who supported us from the beginning, to Ellen (case manager) for her constant good words to me.

Forgive me if I can’t remember more names but just keep in mind that all of you were just like family to us because we got so close to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you also for John because your dedication, support, good sense of humor sure made a difference in his life.

I wouldn’t want to forget the wonderful organization and individuals at the Potsdam Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley who stood by us from January till the last day. You’ve done such a great job! You believed in us, listened to what John had to say and took action to help him, understood what we were going through and helped and guided us so we could take the best decisions regarding the welfare of John. You were amazing.

Thank you so much to Jim, Lucille, Sarah, Pam, Rob, Kathy, Kathleen, you too were a family for us. Finally, to all our friends and contacts who helped us, thank you. What a great support you were.

Sylvia Dunn Riott
Russell

New bus policy won’t work for everybody

To the Editor:

I received an e-mail containing information concerning Canton Central Schools bus policy changes and below is the response I sent:

I hope that other parents with children who pay school taxes voice their opinions concerning our children being able to ride a different bus as long as there is the proper written authorization as has been the policy for many years.

Now the school wants to put a one-time-only bus transfer for specific days of the week and limit the days. Different families have different needs when it comes to babysitting. Not everyone has a 9 to 5 job and not everyone has the same sitter for the whole week and not everyone has a father or mother who is home when their children get home from school.

So please, if you are not in favor of the new policy being enacted and you are a taxpayer, speak up. To find a copy of the new policy contact Canton Central School or email cwhitford@ccsdk12.org.

In regards to these changed bus policies, I feel that they are unfair and are being brought about because of the negligence of a few bus drivers and now the students and parents are the ones who are taking the backlash.

Yes, I wrote to This Week when my children were dropped at a destination where there had been no authorization and when I tried resolving this over the phone I kept getting, and I quote, “I will look into the matter and I will get back to you.” This never happened. So as it stood I felt I needed to voice a very important message that with our children there should not be a mistake. The policy has always been a note should be present when riding a different bus with no exceptions.

If this policy was followed then there would be no problem. I did not write a letter that day as the bus driver stated. She thought I had but because of the time lapse between when I contacted the school and when they finally resolved the issue it was down to my word against the bus driver. I know for a fact there was no note.

So what happens to the children who may need different sitters because parents have to work last minute or they have a different sitter for different days of the week? Why change a perfectly good policy when you can start enforcing the one that is in place, and when it is not followed then who should be reprimanded but the bus drivers that fail to follow the procedure of “no note then the child will not ride a different bus.” Is the supervisor in fact afraid to reprimand the staff? -- and that means the bus drivers. Why not have the drivers keep the notes and turn them in to be kept for a period of 48 hrs or more for proof? How hard would this be?

Just a suggestion, but there are some people that need to own up to the responsibilities of their jobs and just do what is instructed.

T. Coffey
Canton

Beeping might have saved 3-year-old niece

To the Editor:

I must take this opportunity to express extreme displeasure over the comments made by a Sound Off writer who encouraged the disabling of “every single beeping ‘reverse of vehicle’ mechanism” on utility vehicles (“Disable ‘Beeping’ Sound,” June 11-17). The writer states “a three-year-old on a tricycle doesn’t linger unknowingly behind every reversing vehicle” and “these vehicles’ drivers are perfectly aware of their surroundings and very rarely, if ever, collide with other objects or people”.

I must tell this writer that in March of this year, my 3-year-old niece did linger long enough for a utility vehicle to back into her and kill her.

This city vehicle (in another town) did not have the beeping mechanism and the driver was not aware of his surroundings. Just the opposite: he assumed no one was behind him and just backed up. The driver backed up inappropriately and did not even know my niece was there. In fact, his windows were rolled up so he could not hear if someone was telling him to stop. My niece lingered just long enough that she could not bike away to safety once the truck started backing up.

Remember, 3-year-olds don’t have fast reflexes. Because the driver had been parked for awhile and because he had no cause to back up, the mother did not realize he had started to back up. Had there been a beeping mechanism, it would have alerted both the mother and my niece to the driver’s start into reverse. These large trucks don’t even have to be going five mph to cause serious damage.

This writer is very self-centered. If the beeping mechanism on a truck backing up disturbs your peace and quiet and thus peace of mind to such an extent, I would recommend you move way out into the woods. You must be a very stressed out for this to bother you so much.

I would give up every ounce of my peace and quiet if it would replace what my family has lost. Even if one 3-year-old lingers behind even one utility vehicle and gets hurt, it is one too many. The lack of a beeping mechanism on this vehicle stole our piece of mind and replaced it with considerable turmoil and loss.

Robin Rhodes-Crowell
Pierrepont

Extending sidewalks can enhance ‘walkability’

To the Editor:

To improve the ability to have a productive, safe and pleasant walk in Potsdam, we should extend the sidewalks along Leroy Street all the way to May Road. There also need to be sidewalks to reach the P&C plaza along Market Street. And finally, a short stretch of walkway at the end of Waverly Street that rejoins the driveway at the end of Meadow East Apartments would be helpful, in the same way as Castle Drive is indirectly connected to Lawrence Avenue with a pedestrian stretch along Buillding Blocks Child Care, and as Waverly Street joins Elm Street by a short walkway connecting the Time Warner Cable plaza to the Midtown Apartments parking lot.

Walking and biking are going to continue to increase in popularity as the costs of operating fossil fuel vehicles continue to skyrocket, so it is an excellent time to improve, and in some cases complete, the sidewalks in Potsdam.

Monique Tirion
Daniel ben-Avraham
Potsdam

Addressing writer’s commuter bus concerns

To the Editor:

I appreciated the comments expressed in last week’s Sound Off page regarding the routing of the bus service to greater serve the needs of workers interested in commuting (“Commuter Bus Times,” June 18-24).

In fact, we just discussed with the Board of Legislators on June 9 our intention to consolidate runs, to develop express runs in the morning and evening to improve speed and convenience on the morning and afternoon commuter runs, and to open a new service run between Gouverneur and Watertown. We have also submitted a grant request for $150,000 over two years to lessen the financial burden to the county of implementing this change and starting a new route.

We are working with the bus service operator to revamp the schedules, make them available with advanced notice, update the on-line references and to implement the change. We hope to make the change for the existing routes effective on July 28. We expect to further discuss and hopefully implement the Gouverneur-to-Watertown run later in the summer or fall.

If anyone has specific recommendations for other route or service improvements, I would be glad to receive them. You can reach me at 386-3276, ext. 125.
Thank you for your comment and again. Not only do we agree with your concern, we are already working to address it.

Nancy Robert
Transportation Coordinator
St. Lawrence County
Planning Office

Thanks to gardeners and flowers around town

To the Editor:

In walking around the village in the evening, I have noticed the lovely flowers planted at curbside all around downtown Potsdam. I think it’s a nice touch and I would like to thank everyone who made this project possible -- especially the people who planted these small plots and who are caring for them. It is small projects like this and the willingness of people to undertake them that make our village a nice place to live. So, thanks to all you anonymous public gardeners out there!

And, also, I would like to publicly thank Kevin Blanchard of Willow Tree Florist & Landscaping for his donation of a truckload of mulch to the Clarkson Garden Club’s Gazebo gardening project in Ives Park. It is the generosity of local merchants like Kevin that makes public gardening in the village possible.

Lou Ann Lange
Potsdam

Beeping, 10 hours a day, 5 days a week

To the Editor:

I can understand being disturbed by incessant beeping (“Disable ‘Beeping’ Sound,” June 11-17).

We have lived with it 10 hours a day, five days a week for over a year. To compound the annoyance, we put up with rumbling machinery, slamming tailgates, and various other disturbing noises. To add to the mess, hundreds of truck loads of dirt have gone by the house, or have been dumped across the road with more banging, and groaning start-ups to go back for another load. They never seem to know which dirt they want, so return and bring some back. Many more trips!

I’m sorry for the nearby businesses, and people who live on or use Route 11. The one lane traffic is an awful nuisance. One day I counted 62 cars waiting and then going through, and some waited more than five minutes.

What a waste of gas and diesel fuel! Then we listen to the trucks slowing down with shifting and jake brakes and then shifting to start up again. However, we have been lucky in that some courteous drivers have managed to squeeze a space so we could enter our drive and not impede traffic.

I’m glad they painted that atrocious water tower, but how much longer must people coming to Potsdam be greeted by the horrible mess that is Wal-Mart in construction?

Evalyn C. Duncan
Potsdam

Town hall outside village ‘a waste’

To the Editor:

At the meeting between the Town of Potsdam and its villages I learned that the spaces of the courts of the Town and Village of Potsdam both need to be refurbished. Combining these spaces in the process is an obvious way to save taxpayer money.

Since there are advantages to having the court in the same building with the police station, the village municipal building is the obvious place for these courts to be.

This reduces the size needed for the rest of the town hall. Realizing this, Town Supervisor Marie Regan has proposed a building on outer Lawrence Avenue. This is a good idea only if the goal of the town government is to make itself less accessible and accountable its citizens, and insists on picking a fight with the village.

The town government seems to be allergic to involving its citizens in planning for our future. Given that, it seems the town could at least go along with community planning that has gone on within its boundaries. That indicates a downtown location for government buildings, but why?

When municipal buildings are near the center of commercial activity, people use them. For example, a trip to a municipal office can be combined with going to the hardware store, library, and bank. This holds true whether the trip is by a village resident who walks to do errands, or a rural resident who drives to a central location and only needs to park in one place.

Were the town hall on the outskirts of the village, not only would more gasoline be burned driving there when it was necessary, but people wouldn’t stop to talk to town officials “by chance” when they happened to be nearby. Officials would hear from us less often, giving us less responsive government.

A town hall in the wrong location could be worse than just a waste of taxpayer money.

Will Siegfried
Potsdam

Helping Hands thanks food pantry donors

To the Editor:

Helping Hands of Potsdam, Inc. wishes to thank SUNY Potsdam Director of Dining Services George Arnold and PACES Executive Director Dan Hayes, as well as their suppliers, for the generous donation of canned and other food items for our food pantry at the end of May. We would also like to thank Abby Lee, Mark Penell, and Earl John Strader for their part in getting this food donation to Helping Hands and to people in need. We are continually grateful for such wonderful community support.

Helping Hands Ministry

Levison, on N-N board, says thanks, visit blog

To the Editor:

I want to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, and community members for their support with my recent school board campaign. I would also like to thank the Norwood-Norfolk Teacher’s Association for their endorsement.

I have created a blog to help build an open line of communication between the Norwood-Norfolk Central School Board and community. Please visit lisalevison.blogspot.com. Since our school board meetings are open to the public, I will be posting decisions that are made by our school board and how I voted on each item. There are links to school related websites and you can also participate in polls relating to topics of interest in our school district. I am currently conducting a poll asking why you think our school budget did not pass.

Please visit my blog and cast your vote. I am always looking for ways to improve and I would love to hear your questions, concerns, comments, and how you feel we can improve our school.

Thank you again for your support.
Lisa Levison

Anger over economy aimed at government

To the Editor:

This letter is mainly to those on the Potsdam School Board, Potsdam Town Board, and Potsdam Village Board. Some of you folks might have started to figure out that a lot of us taxpayers are mad, and we are now showing it in force. This is a rebellion, because we have had enough.

In the last few years we have seen a steady increase in our taxes with no end in sight. We are being taxed to the point of losing our homes. Let me cover a few reality points for you in case you have forgotten.

St. Lawrence County is one of the poorest counties in New York State. St. Lawrence County has one of the lowest median incomes in the state. We pay the highest electrical rates in the state. Hundreds of Potsdam residents are still paying for the heating fuel used last winter. If you haven’t got the picture yet let me spell it out for you: we are not rich people living up here.

School Board: Congratulations. You have put up two unsuccessful budgets. Look, you can’t continue to do business a usual, it is costing too much. You really need to look at items that have been brought up in the past but have been shot down because, “that’s the way we do things.” In the next contract free health insurance needs to go. Teachers and school administrators in the North Country make way above the county median income. Taxpayers can no longer afford to pay for their own health insurance and pay for the entire amounts of others.

Transportation: do you really need two bus runs in AM and PM? Infrastructure: take care of what we have, when you add more it costs more to light, heat and maintain. You claim the state pays for 96 percent of building improvements, but where does the state get their money from?—us taxpayers. Giving raises out of the general fund in the middle of the school year didn’t win any points either. Who cares what a superintendent from another school district is making. I bet their tax rate is much lower than Potsdam’s.

Town Board: You really need to stop trying to spend Wal-Mart’s money before you even have it. We have more pressing issues than building a town hall which seems to be the soul focus of this board and our supervisor. Marie Regan complained that the town hall vote cost the town almost $6,800. She forgot to mention that the town has spent thousands in the purchase of the Lawrence Avenue property, (a move the town shouldn’t have done to begin with), environmental evaluations of that property, architect designs, as well as advertising in local papers to vote yes on the building vote. Now here you are trying to cram it all down our throats again. The people have spoken and obviously you aren’t listening. I do think you are rushing to build. Yes we will lose the $280,000 grant, but who is to say we won’t find a grant funding source later. Spending thirty thousand on the present hall to temporarily house the court there before the joint venture between the town and village courts is completed is no doubt a waste of money. The energy you folks are putting into building a town hall should be spent on figuring out more sharing of services between the town and village to ease the expense on taxpayers. In the last 10 years Potsdam went from one of the most reasonable places to live, to the most expensive. With the addition of the library tax, several double digit tax increases and now doubling of our assessments (in most cases) you are now facing a large group of very angry taxpayers. Most are now facing hardship gaps in family budgets just to place food on the table and you want to stick your hand deeper into our pockets. Please, put this building plan up to vote and see what happens.

Village Board: Since I don’t live in the village I really can’t express an informed opinion, other than to say, I’m sure you all love the roasting the town is taking over the town hall issue. But you also have the duty to do what is the best, efficient and most economical way to serve the taxpayers. It is time to get off your high horse and work with the town in shared services. Wal-Mart is here so get off that bus, and start working for those that put you there: the taxpayers.

I could add several more points to each, but then this letter would be too long to print. Overall the school board needs to find cuts and some will be hard, and will make some parents mad, but we cannot continue to pay such taxes. The town and village need to swallow some pride and start working together, and quit being the laughing stock of the North Country. Angry taxpayers are now showing that they are the majority, as seen in the last three votes. My bet is when the school tax bills come out in September; the angry taxpayers will grow even more in majority which will then carry over to a Tuesday in November when some of you will be fired.

Dan Aldous
Potsdam

Aging husky lost, found in Norfolk

To the Editor:

Our 18-year-old Alaskan husky went missing from our home on Sober Street in Norfolk in April. Jupiter (Jupi for short) had been showing signs of declining health for a few months, so we were naturally worried as the minutes stretched to hours and she still had not returned home. Neighbors spent time and energy searching their property and others kept an eye out for her. Dog Control Officer Greg Monroe paid special attention, and Vernon Wolfe scoured his land behind our bed and breakfast in his earthmover.

The next morning we were informed that Jupi had been spotted in the village, more than a mile from our home. A customer at Laurie D’s Hair Salon on Second Street reported seeing a dog matching her description in the vicinity, and when I went to the creek bed next to Sabad’s Restaurant, there she was lying on a pile of twigs. She couldn’t get up, so Tony Hadzovic, the proprietor at Sabad’s, went down to get her out. He’s our hero!

Jupi was disoriented, very thirsty after her long ordeal, and happy to see us. But she recovered and we were able to take her on walks around the property. Jupi lived nearly two months more before she died at home from age-related conditions June 5.
We are grateful to everyone in and around Norfolk who helped us locate Jupi so she could spend her last days with her family who loved her. Thank you to all our fine neighbors for your compassion and practical assistance when we needed you. You were there for us, and we are grateful.

Bill and Joanna Loucky-Ramsey
Norfolk

Mom’s verse brings depot history back

To the Editor:

Many years ago, when they were talking about tearing the Potsdam depot down, my mom, who used to write articles and poetry for another local newspaper, submitted a poem she wrote. This is an article submitted, word for word, by my mom, Margaret M. Call.

“A movement is underway in Potsdam to save the Potsdam depot. The building is in the path of the new route plan for Potsdam, my home town for 50 years. I did this bit of verse, (for the cause) recently. Perhaps you’d like to use it in your letter section. I used to send something occasionally to Leonard Prince...hear people say many times, what a prince he was! This poem may sound a little sentimental, but as the song says, ‘you gotta have heart.’”

Lovers of history, please come to our aid
to save Potsdam depot, where sweet memories were made,
where we watched for the passenger to come around the bend,
to welcome a stranger, bid good-bye to a friend.
The freight house is gone. The cattle yards, too,
the taxi cabs waiting, disappeared from the view.
Our fresh airs, each summer, appeared on the scene.
They were met at the depot, with a bag full of dreams.
They spent time in our village. made new friends, young and old.
The meetings and partings, years later retold.
The wars came along. Sad farewells were said.
Standing by the old depot, with our hearts full of dread.
Wondering when would we see our young men again.
Would we meet at the depot? Would life still be the same?
Those wars are behind us. Placed a man on the moon.
Time brings many changes. We get old much too soon.
We need memories to warm us, to treasure and store.
The depot is one, that thru time has endured.
So spare Potsdam depot. leave us something to touch.
Can we somehow bypass it? Is this asking too much?

This is one of many from my mom’s writings. She was well known around the Potsdam/Norwood area.

Feel free to add this to next week’s edition if you like. Forgive me for “showing her off.” She was quite a gal. Been gone five years now. Miss her terribly.

Proudly,
Margaret Call’s daughter,
Sue Maroney

Disappointed Democrat switches to Independent

To the Editor:

I am very disillusioned by the result of the Democratic primaries. I have been a staunch Democrat all my life and so was my father before me. When I was a young boy I even held up signs outside of my home on election night to encourage the people to vote for President Roosevelt.

I have been a strong Hillary Clinton supporter and feel the Clintons have done much for America, especially in getting us out of the deficit and into the black. This is how they were repaid.

There is no question in my mind the Clintons have been give a raw deal. If there ever was an et tu, Brute, it surely took place here. There are several reasons for my feeling this way.

The media has opposed the Clintons from the beginning. They played upon the slightest mistake they made. Governor Richardson, who a short time before hosted the Clintons at his house and watched a football game with them, stabbed him in the back. (Remember Brutus and Julius Caesar). The Clintons did not stir up a racial issue, African Americans did by voting for Obama by 91 percent. Oprah Winfrey entered the scene and used her money and influence to support Obama instead of remaining neutral publicly.

As for Obama, he has been connected with every element of society that had a bad influence, such as Reverend Wright, who had nothing good to say about America; Ayers who took part in terrorist activities; Loius Farrakhan, who talked against Americans; Rizko, who was recently brought up on 16 criminal charges; and just recently a Hamas official who thinks Obama will be good for his terrorist cause; Michelle Obama, his wife, who during the campaign said it as the first time she was proud to be an American; and finally, Obama himself, who would not wear an American flag lapel pin and turned his back when the National Anthem was played. He also said we had 57 states in America. His comment about people in rural areas clinging to their guns and religion shows his lack of knowledge of the history of this country and their firm belief in the Bible.

It’s easy to change when one’s nomination for president is close at hand.

One June 3, 2008, I took steps to change my registration to vote from the Democratic party to the Independent Party when it was obvious Hillary Clinton was withdrawing from the contest. Anything less than president would not be acceptable by me. Without hesitation I will vote for John McCain in November. He is a moderate and one I can accept.

In no way is this decision based on race since I have supported the African-American cause in the past.

Arthur Thorton
Nicholoville

Former NNCS board prez critical of current prez

To the Editor:

I would like to respond to a few comments made by NNCS School Board President Mary McGreevy.

You take exception as to how things are being reported about the condition of our school district by the Courier Observer. When I was elected to the board, some board members were threatening to only talk to each other by way of their personal lawyers. The NNCS school district was in financial trouble. The board of education, superintendent of schools and staff were at odds with each other. Our meetings were always challenging, not only by the public but by the press that sat through every meeting and printed everything that was discussed. It was hard for me to attend these meetings knowing that whatever I said would be printed in the newspaper the next day. However, I realized that I was elected to not only represent the students, staff and administration of NNCS; I was elected to represent the taxpayers, as well.

The present condition of our school district has been handed to the taxpayers over the course of seven years. It is extremely unfortunate that the superintendent and business manager who got us here are now working in the Plattsburgh area and can not be held accountable for their decisions. We, the taxpayers, have always instilled our faith in the board of education to watch over our children, our school and our tax dollars. Mary, the taxpayers feel that the board of education has failed us.

The last two superintendents have been granted residence outside of our school district (against the written contract between the district and school superintendent). Jake Short lived in Canton during his entire 10-year employment. You tell us that Mrs. Kirnie hasn’t had a raise in 18 months but she chooses to live outside of our school district.

Our school is the biggest business and employer in the Norfolk- Norwood area and yet the school board allows the leader of this business to take a paycheck ($100,000+) from us but allows this leader to live outside the school district!

I have read your comments that the public is misinformed about our school business. When NNCS decided to make a total K-12 school complex, the state Education Department warned our school board about a negative impact to this decision. They warned the school board that by taking the school out of the communities, the school district would loose its identity with the communities. They said that extra work would be needed by both the board and school to keep the public informed. This action also has failed the public.

So here you are, Mary, presented with many difficult decisions. If I was again serving on the board of education, I would like nothing more than to have quiet meetings without the public complaining about everything. However, I’m glad that the newspaper (in your words “tabloid”) is willing to sit through your meetings and report what is said and done.

Mary, I would be careful about condemning the local news media. They might be your only avenue for explaining to me why I should support your efforts and the budget at NNCS.
Thank you.

Robert C. Haggett
Resident in the NNCS
District for 58 Years
Class of 1969 NNCS Graduate
Past NNCS School Board
Member and President


N-N school board prez challenges story

To the Editor:

My comments are in response to the headlines on the front page of the Daily Courier Observer on Thursday, June 12.

The headline that was selected incorrectly indicated that Norwood-Norfolk Superintendent Mrs. Kirnie is seeking a raise. The article also incorrectly stated that the board is “quietly negotiating” with our superintendent. In my conversation with Mr. Beckstead, I clearly stated that the superintendent and the board have not engaged in negotiations regarding the superintendent’s salary or contract terms. Apparently my statement did not survive their editing process.

Any discussion about a superintendent’s raise has been, and continues to be, delayed until other contracts are settled and we have a budget in place. Her salary is not in active consideration at this time. When crafting the school budget, the board included estimates in all salary areas in anticipation and hope of settling all contracts. The administration is no exception. To omit such projections would not be a fiscally responsible decision of the board.

It is important for our district residents to know that our superintendent has remained at the same salary since she came to our district 18 months ago. Our board is very pleased with the work that Mrs. Kirnie has done for our district. Considering our fiscal status and the many difficult issues that our district has been facing, we are lucky to have someone that wants the job. Mrs. Kirnie consistently focuses on educating our children, she works hard to preserve our educational program, makes sound fiscal decisions for our community, and takes great pride in our staff.

At this time, I am not aware of any superintendent in St. Lawrence County that will be going without a pay raise in 2008-2009, and many of them will be much higher than the percentage that our board has estimated in our budget proposal. To select a single superintendent to roast on your front page is hardly unbiased press.

The Courier also indicated that our “Proposed Budget Also Hands Pay Hikes to Principals.” There is no “handing out” of pay hikes; these are negotiated, just as all other contractual salaries are negotiated. The administrators settled their contract, salary increases included, well ahead of schedule and have continued to save the district well over 13 percent on healthcare costs annually. The administrators and exempt staff have been saving the district on health care costs since the 2003-04 school year. I might also note that the administrators also took a pay freeze in 2003-04.

The terms of the fact-finding report that has been accepted by the district and the teachers’ union illustrates a more generous pay hike for teachers than the administrators’ contract terms. Nevertheless, the district will also see a savings on health care costs due to the riders selected by the teachers. These pay hikes will not be “handed” to teachers in future years, they will be issued as a result of a contractual agreement with the district.

When the Courier indicated that the “Super Defends Administrators,” they neglected to state that the presentation given by Mrs. Kirnie was in response to a question from a community member at a prior board meeting. It was not intended to “defend” administrators, but clearly shared with the community the board’s knowledge of the positive impact that our administrators have on the district.

The board has a responsibility to balance public input with the knowledge we have about the district. It is important for the community to know that we have such information, so that they will understand why we make decisions that they may not always agree with. Keep in mind that community members do not regularly attend board meetings to gather such information. When we are asked for information, we do our best to share the details we have.

It is my personal perception that the Courier’s choice of wording was misleading and was selected with the intention of selling a tabloid newspaper, instead of the rural newspaper that they generate. I am offended at the attempt to inflame the residents of our district.
The board has spent countless volunteer hours crafting a responsible spending plan for our district, which includes fair increases to all of our employees in return for savings on health care costs to the district. We value all of our employees and take pride in the staff that serves our students. We have also taken every opportunity to listen to our community members and to educate them about the school budget process and the unpleasant decisions that we have had to make.

I urge the residents of our district to vote on the proposed budget on Tuesday, June 17. The children of our district deserve to have the best education that we can possibly provide in these trying times. Even though the economy is negatively impacting each and every one of our households, we are still obligated to provide a sound education for our children.

Mary McGreevy, President
Norwood-Norfolk Board
of Education


P-H board ‘shut off’ weekend school use

To the Editor:

I was saddened and disappointed that at the May meeting of the Parishville-Hopkinton School Board, the board approved a facility use policy that states: building facilities must be supervised by a school employee at the time of use.

So with this policy they effectively shut off facility use to our community on the weekends. Some of the programs that will be affected by this are: Biddy Basketball, indoor soccer and PTSA Events.

Is this what we want for our school?

No, we want to use our facility.

There were options that the board could have pursued such as having board appointed representatives for your previously established programs, or having a Saturday janitor for the school year. None of these options were even discussed by the board. With the cost of everything skyrocketing, can’t the board find a way for us to continue to use the facility without adding additional costs?

These board members were elected to represent the community when making decisions. We need to show them we want the board to come up with a way to use our facility. Please attend the Monday, June 16 board meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria to let them know how they should be representing our community on this issue.

Kari Ellen Tremper
Parishville


More on last passenger trains in Potsdam

To the Editor:

(In response to “Last Passenger Train From Potsdam 40 Years Ago Recalled,” June 4-10, and a request from the editor for more information:)

Special moves after 1968 were possible, but by that time the New York Central had merged with its rival, the Pennsylvania Railroad, to form Penn Central.

Penn Central could be convinced to run special “rail fan” excursions and special trips, including several in Northern and Central New York during the late 1960s and early 1970s. But it seems unlikely any special, non-scheduled runs were made in the late 1960s and early 1970s on its Syracuse-Monteal line.

Penn Central suffered the largest corporate bankruptcy in history in the summer of 1970, and had been campaigning to receive ICC approval to drop passenger service throughout its network during its three-year existence prior to the formation of Amtrak. But despite the lack of data on any trips, it is certainly possible that special trips were run like the special for transporting Clarkson students to Montreal, which was recently remembered by a professor involved in arranging it.

By 1971, Penn Central was out of the intercity passenger business, and I think it’s safe to assume no special Amtrak runs were ever run for the benefit of college functions or bringing college students back and forth to school at the start and conclusion of their semesters’. If anything occurred, it was prior to May of 1971 and was run by Penn Central.

Technically, there have been passenger trains on this line since the 1960s.
At least two come to mind, a Syracuse to Massena passenger excursion for the public in about the year 2000, and a trip by the American Association of Private Railroad Car owners, which ran around the same time.

But these were trips for enjoyment, rather than functioning as a means to transport people between locations. And Conrail, and later CSX, has run special passenger trains occasionally on this line for the benefit of their executives, customers, and government officials.

Leo Ames
Potsdam

‘Negative spin on all things Greek’

To the Editor:

After reading Mr. Freilich’s article concerning Potsdam’s Greek Houses (“25% Of Potsdam Frats Closed; Change In Community Character May Follow”), I found myself left with an all too familiar feeling: the local news media loves to put a negative spin on all things Greek. The members of the Greek community continue to be portrayed as a single, undesirable entity, without regard to the individual character of each chapter or member. I’m certainly not trying to say they are without faults, but bad behavior is not found exclusively among the members of Greek organizations.

You will find it in any segment of the population, be they college students, high school students, or even “upstanding” citizens of the local community. I cannot recall seeing news stories or police reports published where any group affiliation other than collegiate, and/or Greek is included in a description of the persons involved. Why is this information more relevant than membership in any other social, service or professional organization?

I also take issue with the accuracy of the “facts” offered in the article. Where did the information come from? The only sited source is Code Enforcement Officer Hill. Did you check with either college or a representative of any of the Houses you refer to before publishing this article? Until it was sold in 2007, the brothers of Psi Phi Delta had owned 15 Bay since the early 1970’s, not only since 1992 as suggested by Mr. Freilich.

I agree that it is sad to watch some of Potsdam’s “grand old homes” deteriorate, but not all of these unfortunate properties are in the hands of Greek chapters.

Many Greek organizations affiliated with the four colleges in the area participate in charity work and community service projects as volunteers. I challenge you to give the North Country a better balance of coverage and tell your readers more about the philanthropic activities of the Greek and college communities.

Respectfully,

Sandee Mayville
25 year resident of Potsdam, recently relocated to Massena.

Potsdam Class of ‘43 planning reunion

To the Editor:

Potsdam high School Class of 1943 is planning a 65-year reunion for July 10, 2008.

If you are a member of this class and interested, call Gus Thomaris at 262-2604 or Louise Pierce at 353-2554 as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Louise Pierce
Norwood

Geography, not outsiders, determine NC’s destiny

To the Editor:

This is in response to “A Tale of Two North Countries” (June 4-10) in which the writer discerns a locals-vs.-immigrants root to everything of which he disapproves. Those of us from away (in my case 40 years ago) should keep quiet or go back where we came from, he seems to be saying. I don’t think so. We raised our children here, paid our taxes, spent our money locally, supported our church and we are as much a part of the North Country as any native. This is my home. So I won’t be taking his suggestion and going back to Massachusetts (except for two weeks in the summer).

That kind of suggestion does nothing but make people angry, which may be what the writer intended, in his frustration. But without the colleges and their staffs, Potsdam and Canton would be like, well, Hermon. There would be far fewer jobs about. Mobility is a fact of life in America and I think it’s on the whole a good thing for northern New York as well as for other areas. There aren’t “two North Countries.” There is one and it contains diverse people, like it or not.
And what major industry, wanting to come here, has been deterred by opposition groups? It’s geography, not outsider opposition that has kept most industry out. Distance from markets has something to do with it. The Seaway has never been “a gold mine” for northern New York. Ogdensburg is just not in the right place to be a significant port, though it tried hard. Ogdensburg was a busy port in the 1850s with 11 steamers a day leaving for Montreal or up the Lakes. There were railroad connections to New England. By 1861 trains went to Syracuse, Buffalo and New York City. But the main lines bypassed Ogdensburg, as does most Seaway shipping today. The main line New York Central ran from Albany west in the Mohawk Valley along the Erie Canal. It still does under CSX and Amtrak.

It’s geography, not outsider professionals, that has determined the destiny of Northern New York. I suppose there will always be those who see things in terms of “us vs. them.” It’s a false dichotomy.

Arthur L. Johnson
Potsdam

Town outlines new town hall option

To the Editor:

As we all know, the recent referendum on the Town Hall was defeated, but the problem of creating a safe, efficient work place remains. We think we have heard the people’s concerns: they don’t want an additional tax burden to fund an expensive structure; they wish we could keep a presence downtown; they would like to see more cooperation in shared services between the Town and Village
We feel we may have an option that would create a building that meets the public’s needs, and also answers their concerns.

The Town has been saving money for several years for capital projects. We know have enough cash on hand, and $280,000 in grants, to build a one-story building with a basement for storage. This building would only house the Town Hall, not the Town Court.

These savings come from the Brookdale contract and can only be used for capital projects; we are prohibited from using them in the regular budget to lower taxes. To build this Town Office, we would not need to go to Bonding; we would not need to raise taxes for this project. Actually, even if this project goes forward, because of sizeable increased construction which has resulted in large buildings such as Wal-Mart, Tractor Supply, Honda, Walgreen’s, Kinney’s and the proposed Lowe’s store, the Town Board will not be increasing taxes next year; instead, we hope to lower them.

The new building would be similar to the first floor of the previously proposed building, but since there would not be a Court on the 2nd floor, approximately half of the $3.2 million that we had, earlier, intended to Bond for, would be saved. An additional $100,000 could be eliminated because a large elevator would not be needed. The parking lot would be considerably smaller because we would not need court parking; this, too, would save thousands of dollars.

The Town Court would remain in our present building at 34 Market St., keeping a presence downtown. It would remain there until a cooperative decision is made by Village and town Boards as to the best way to share court services. The Town Board is absolutely open to sharing this building with the Village or relocating to another shared building, if this is deemed best.

By moving the Court downstairs, the need for a large elevator would be removed. The minimum of repairs and renovation would be done at 35 Market St., until we know where the Joint Court, or sole Town Courts, will be permanently sited. We have already received a $30,000 check earmarked for Court rehabilitation which could help in this process.

Most people agree a new building is needed. It probably won’t be cheaper a few years from now. To do this soon would allow us to pay for it entirely with the cash, and $280,000 in grants we now have. If we don’t act now, we forfeit the $280,000 which, if built later, the taxpayers would have to pay for.

The last public referendum resulted in an election that cost approximately $7,000. We are now in the process of researching whether this scaled down project, which would use existing funds and grants, and not need to go to Bonding, would still be subject to a permissive referendum. We would like to avoid these costs if possible, so, before the Town Board makes any decisions, we will hold a series of public meetings to answer concerns and discuss this issue thoroughly. We will not go forward unless we feel the public has all the facts and seems favorable to this compromise solution.

Marie Regan, Supervisor
and Town Board Members

‘Last train’ was not as long ago as we thought

To the Editor:

Your story, “Last Passenger Train From Potsdam 40 Years Ago Recalled” (June 4-10), is factually incorrect. Potsdam was served by the New York Central Railroad between Montreal and Syracuse, using diesel-powered Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDC’s), known on the railroad as Beeliners, until the last run was made on Feb. 15, 1964.

This ended 78 years of continuous, regularly scheduled passenger service by the New York Central Railroad in northern New York. Regularly scheduled passenger service in northern New York wasn’t discontinued in the 1950s, as the article states.

Leo Ames
Potsdam

Editor’s Note: At least one area resident believes occasional passenger trains provided service to college students in Potsdam even after 1968. Do any readers have accurate records?

ATVs not unwelcome, but give us a break

To the Editor:

Although my husband and I would rather see and hear nature by walking and hiking, we certainly understand that not everyone can get out and do this. For this reason we are not against ATVs per se. In fact we quite enjoy waving and chatting with folks who are out for a leisurely afternoon in the sun enjoying this beautiful country we call home. However I do have some concerns.

A prime example would be an instance on May 10. Somewhere around 3:30 in the afternoon we were taking a break from gardening and work around the house outside and sharing the different birds we were hearing and seeing. The evening before we heard the whippoorwill. This day we has a wonderful yellow-bellied sapsucker early in the morning and later, around noon, we heard the pileated woodpecker in the wood. and in the back yard we had rose-breasted grosbeaks, assorted finches, chickadees, downey and hairy woodpeckers, gold and purple finches. We even enjoyed watching a robin making its nest in the front cedar tree. We truly feel that we are blessed to live in Parishville. It is indeed a beautiful part of this country and we find that our neighbors are wonderful people to walk life’s journey beside.

It was then that about 50 ATVs came roaring up our road, some of them side by side, and appeared to be racing. I have been told before that these machines make no more noise than a car. Let me say that the noise was such that we could not even hear each other in the house, much less hear a bird. My husband went out by the road to try and get these folks to slow down. We have animals and a lot of our neighbors walk on our road. It is only a short distance between the stop signs at the corners, not even a quarter of a mile. There was one person that seemed to care and slowed down, thank you, and there was another that simply revved his engine all the more.

My next concern is that all of these ATVs turned the corner onto State Route 72 and arrived at the bar there. While I am certain that many of these folks don’t drink when they meet there, I am equally certain that many do. My concern is that someone not get killed while out for that afternoon enjoying creation. I have always been told by ATV clubs that they do not promote drinking. Well I am left to ask, why not gather at a restaurant, in a park, or maybe a diner, or convenience store? Why gather at a bar if the intent is not to enjoy alcoholic beverages?

So while I do understand the desire for some to enjoy the world by ATV I am left wondering first how you can enjoy it if you can’t hear it, how can you enjoy it if you are going so fast you can’t take it in, and finally how can you enjoy it if your senses are reduced by the effects of alcohol?

I would like to request that ATVs first not use our road, since it is not even a part of the approved ATV trail. And, if you don’t care that it is not a part of the trail and you choose to use it anyhow, please simply slow down and enjoy this country we all so love. I live on Woodruff Road in Parishville and will be smiling and waving the next time you roll by.

Reverend Laurena M. Wickham Will
Parishville