Every week, Sound Off treats us to at least one letter bemoaning the sorry condition of local roads. I agree with the sentiment of these letters. Driving from Canton to Potsdam is like driving through the Congo with a low-clearance vehicle. It surprises me, though, that letter writers seem to ascribe the poor condition of roads to government incompetence or malevolence when the obvious culprit is cold weather. Rather than competing each week to inform us which intersection is in most dire need of repair, a letter writer might suggest that Clarkson and SUNY Canton’s engineering departments research paving solutions that might be more durable and environmentally friendly.