Never fails to amaze

Dear Editor,

After reading the July 28 issue, in regards to the village losing $55,000 on Oak Mountain in three years, this subject never fails to amaze me.

How do our former mayor and our current village board justify losing this amount of village taxpayer money on something the taxpayers have no obligation to fund, period?

How can anyone say this is responsible government? Mind you, this is the same village board that preaches to the village department heads on responsible spending come budget time. It is amazing that it took three years and the loss of this amount of money before two board members decided it was a bad idea.

Mr. McGovern also states most who spoke at the [Friends of Oak Mountain] informational meeting were in support of Oak. However, he fails to mention how many of these supporters were village residents.

I feel it should have been up to the village residents, by vote, from the very beginning.

I’ve also noticed many of the Oak Mt. supporters, several years ago, were circulating a petition to dissolve the village, due to needless spending. Kind of ironic isn’t it?

I think the village board’s main concern should be the village, not Oak Mt. For example, $55,000 could have bought a new fence for around the cemetery, as the current one is in bad shape and falling down. The list could go on and on.

As a resident of the village I feel this amount of a loss is ridiculous and unfair to village taxpayers.

Karl R. Blanchard

Speculator

Aug. 5, 2010

Thanks, volunteers

Dear Editor,

The Friends of the Indian Lake Public Library conducted another successful book and bake sale Saturday, July 24.

We would not have been able to do it without the prompt, conscientious work of the volunteers who transported the pre-sorted books to the book sale site Friday and the remainders back to our storage area.

We were also blessed with fine volunteers who staffed the bake sale and cashier tables and resorted books during the sale.

We thank the book donors and the people who created all those fine baked goods, which were a major attraction for our sale.

We are also greatly appreciative of the school authorities for letting us use the school gym and the work of the school custodian and his staff in setting up the venue.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Leonard, president

Friends of the Indian Lake Library

July 28, 2010

A great big thank you

Dear Editor,

We are the organizers of The Great Big FANY Ride bicycle tour, which stands for Five hundred miles Across New York, that makes a contribution to The Double H Ranch in nearby Lake Luzerne, a camp for children living with chronic illnesses. Last Friday night we felt privileged to be able to camp overnight at the Lake Pleasant Central School in Speculator.

Speculator is fortunate to be able to claim Dick Mayers and Toni Morrison as residents. Dick has helped the FANY Ride for several years now, not only getting the school ready for our stay, but also providing his great attitude and infectious smile for every tired biker that rolls in.

Toni took on, without being asked, the enormous task of organizing a community-donated dinner for the bikers. How amazing is that! Through her efforts and the support she was able to rally throughout Speculator, the FANY Ride will be able to send an additional child to the Double H ranch.

A very heartfelt thanks to both Dick and Toni. Through their determined efforts, after spending an entire week biking through other small upstate towns, Speculator impressed the bikers as unique in its welcoming community spirit.

Thanks again to Toni and Dick, and to all those who assisted them, especially Anna Smith, Laural Riggles and Lisa Turner from the Chamber.

The restaurants involved were: King of the Frosties, Dragon City II, Sunrise Diner, Old Country Pizza, Zeiser’s Restaurant & Hotel, Melody Lodge, Logan’s Bar & Grill, The Inn at Speculator, The Oxbow Inn and Common Grounds.

Jonathan Lane from Charlie Johns Store donated food items to the cause. Letty Rudes donated ice cream. Cupcakes were donated from members of the Hamilton County TWIGS.

The cake was donated by Melanie Brewer, and baked by Mel O’Connell. Other volunteers included Ryan Marshall; Kelly, Tia and Jenna Thompson; Nancy Germain; John and K.C. Morrison; Kara Aird; and Loretta Blanchard.

Jennifer Novosel

and Karen Empie

Aug. 3, 2010