Things have gone too far
Dear Cris,
The Adirondack Council’s implication that the recent dismissal of its lawsuit against the 2008 snowmobile plan will result in snowmobile trails “virtually anywhere” is a typical misleading statement from this radical environmentalist organization.
It is just plain wrong. The plan actually calls for removal of established snowmobile trails from additional areas of state land. Here is a factual analysis with statistics from apa.ny.gov/gis/stat ...
Mystery is solved
Dear Cris,
Thanks to you, the mystery is solved. The mystery man in the photo you ran Jan. 11 is Hank Pawling, according to Bill and Ed Hotaling, both of whom called me.
No doubt Piseco residents know about the Pawling Road, off Old Piseco Road. But it took two who grew up living on that road to know Hank Pawling.
The photo was taken at the Piseco Volunteer Fire Department & Auxiliary Awards Dinner at Avery’s Hotel in 1997. Mr. Pawling was one of eight people in the ...
Thanks to three
Dear Editor,
All over the country at this time of the year Cornell Cooperative Extension Service associations are honoring people and organizations that have gone above and beyond in assistance to CCE.
This year Hamilton County Cornell Cooperative Extension Friends of Extension Awards were presented to Edna Rew, for coordinating the Wells Community Garden; Genevieve Boyd, for coordinating the Long Lake School Garden; and Farrell Call, of the Village of Speculator Highway Departm ...
Tips to stop smoking
Dear Editor,
Now that the holiday season is at a close, the New Year begins with renewed fervor to be healthier.
For readers that have made stopping smoking their top priority, here are a few tips that have worked for others.
• Choose a date to stop smoking.
• Use a medication to decrease withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Talk to your doctor about the FDA medications approved for smoking cessation, such as the nicotine patch. Your insurance may cover the cost; Me ...
Sales tax hike is not the answer
Dear Editor,
I’m writing in reference to the article in the Dec. 7 Hamilton County Express, “Hamilton County is seeking 1 percent sales tax hike.” The author seems to be a big fan of this proposal, but I didn’t notice the other side of this issue addressed at all, so I would like to add a few thoughts to ponder.
Hamilton County’s residents’ self-reliance and resourcefulness were big reasons I decided almost two decades ago to ...
Not good government
To the editor:
I have to respond to two things going on in Hamilton County that I personally disagree with.
One is not going back to the rotation of the chairman. We are the only county in the State of New York that does not rotate the chairman. All the rest rotate either every year or every two years.
That stops the power play. That is now going on, plus some things that are not on the up and up, that have gone on, that all supervisors are aware of recently.
I was the last ...
The help came in
Dear Editor,
Just in case there was any doubt in anyone’s mind about the generosity and good will of the folks in Wells, let me allay all those thoughts.
A few weeks ago on a Sunday morning Nancy Lewis raised her hand and said the folks in Schoharie need our help. The word went out and the help came in.
From members alike the donations accumulated to the point where they had to go. So on Nov. 29 Nancy and I filled (and I mean filled) two cars with bedding, kitchenware, to ...
Extend IRA rollover for charitable giving
Dear Editor,
With the approach of the holiday season, many think of giving to those most in need.
Since it was passed in 2006, the Pension Protection Act has been a popular way for people to support charities by transferring money out of their IRA funds without paying taxes. This makes it possible for donors to improve local schools, libraries, food banks, nursing homes, arts centers and health care services.
However, the current version of the act is s ...
Look for savings
To the editor,
Hamilton County is having a hard time controlling its budget (Ham. Co. Express, Nov. 16). So what do they propose to do? The same thing that’s already driven so many businesses out of New York state: overtax whatever’s succeeding.
In proposing a bed tax on tourism, how much does the County expect to raise? $100,000? Has anyone asked if the extra paperwork will cause a couple of more marginal, mom-and-pop operations to throw in the towel? Or how many m ...
Added to the list
Cristine,
This week I will celebrate my 48th Thanksgiving with my wife. I am one of those lucky people who has always walked in God’s good graces. Having been blessed with many wonderful things in my life, I always try to take time on Thanksgiving Day to remember just how lucky I am.
A wonderful wife, two daughters who have taught me more than I could ever teach them, and now two great grandsons that are just now reaching manhood. And more friends than any one man deserv ...
A successful year
Dear Editor,
The shovels, rose clippers, gardening gloves, trowels and other gardening paraphernalia have been put away as Wells Garden Club ends another successful year.
During the year we maintained Parker’s, Stanyon and Griffin parks; the north and south Welcome to Wells signs; the flowers at the post office; and the plantings around Community Hall.
Our plant sale in June was very successful and we thank all who contributed plant material or purchased plants. We&rsquo ...
Mulling a merger
To the editor,
As a concerned citizen, former teacher and administrator for 37 years, I offer the following regarding the merger study of the Lake Pleasant and Wells central school districts.
1. Close examination of both districts’ records leads me to believe neither is on the verge of collapse or needs a bailout. Slow growth is projected for each.
2. Each school as an independent, locally controlled school would cease to exist under a merger. The two districts would beco ...
Who would deny the right?
To the editor:
The courts have their number of frivolous lawsuits. However, most lawsuits are legitimate and it is important that we are each given the opportunity to file a legal action when we are wronged.
In 2006, two people, including myself, were injured at the Lake Pleasant library due to unsafe conditions both inside and outside of the building. The staff of the library was well aware of the conditions and consequently failed in their duty to our citizens. As a ...
Vote for Stuart
Dear Editor,
I have known Jim Stuart for many years and have always found him to be a polite, honest, responsible and hard working gentleman.
I have heard he is running for public office in the Town of Hope and would just like to say he would make an excellent highway superintendent.
Jim has the knowledge and ability to handle and oversee big equipment from backhoes and bulldozers to dump trucks, all of which he has owned, used and maintained for years.
He has done work for me a ...
Political letters
The Hamilton County Express is glad to publish letters concerning candidates in the Nov. 8 General Election.
However, in the interest of fairness, letters that bring up new issues will not be published after Oct. 26.
A response will be allowed in the Nov. 2 issue if a letter appears in the Oct. 26 issue that brings up new issues concerning a candidate.
Be drug free
To the Editor:
The month of October starts out with the brilliance of autumn colors in the North Country and ...
The Hamilton County Express is glad to publish letters concerning candidates in the Nov. 8 General Election.
However, in the interest of fairness, letters that bring up new issues will not be published after Oct. 26.
A response will be allowed in the Nov. 2 issue if a letter appears in the Oct. 26 issue that brings up new issues concerning a candidate.
Help was priceless
Dear Ms. Meixner,
I am a frequent visitor to Indian Lake. To my fortune my best friend Pamela Crisci-Dzbenski owns a cabin on Indian Lake where I’ve made wonderful memories.
However, July 31, a girls’ weekend at the lake, my sister, Corinna Maria Gartner, suddenly passed away. She passed of natural causes due to systemic lupus.
I want to let the people of Hamilton County know how amazing are the state troopers and EMTs in Indian Lake.
The compassion, care and prof ...
Get the facts
Dear Editor,
My name is Pamela Anderson and I am writing this letter in defense of our town supervisor and our town council members.
I attended the Town of Wells board meeting Sept. 12, mainly so I could speak with a member of our community about what I had read on Facebook.
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but putting mean comments on Facebook is just childish. And we wonder how our kids learn to bully other kids on Facebook.
During the public comment portion of the mee ...
Postage not paid?
Dear Editor,
On Sept. 22 we found in our mailbox a paper touting Paul H. Roalsvig for Hamilton County District Attorney.
This folded piece of paper had no evidence of postage on it, which is something the Postal Service frowns on and takes quite seriously. If whoever put those papers in area post office boxes ends up needing a good lawyer, I recommend Marsha King Purdue.
A former postmaster ...
Beek Stanton
Indian Lake
Protect pets from hazards
Dear Editor,
Xylitol, used in ...
Hamilton County Express welcomes contributions to its Viewpoints pages. Letters should be no longer than 350 words, legible, address matters of current interest and be signed by the writer.
Anonymous letters are not printed.
Letters must include a telephone number where the author may be reached during the day for verification. Letters that cannot be verified will not be published.
Letters are subject to editing for brevity, clarity and legally actionable content and are limited to one per month ...
Overwhelming generosity
Dear Cris,
On Aug. 7 we held a privately funded fund-raiser to benefit High Peaks Hospice here in Blue Mountain Lake. We were joined by old friends and ones we hadn't yet met. The minimum donation requested to join the fun and listen to the reunited Mitch Frasier Band was a mere $5 each.
The generosity of the attendees and mail-in donors was overwhelming. Although impossible to do so, I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart.
I would also like to th ...
Sign up for chimney cleaning
To the editor,
The Piseco Volunteer Fire Department will be doing courtesy checks and cleaning of chimneys for Town of Arietta property owners again this year. The service will be provided on a rolling schedule from Sept. 24 to Oct. 8 based on firefighter schedules and homeowner availability.
Any Piseco resident wanting this service, call Aaron at 548-5700. Leave your name, 911 address, best phone number to reach you to schedule and your availability in Piseco durin ...
Votes appreciated
Dear Editor,
My name is Roberta Chamberlain and I am up for re-election for Wells Town Council. I have been on the board for three terms.
During the time I have been on I have seen a handicap fishing ramp built down by the hydro plant, a new handicap ramp built at the Community Hall and also a handicap bathroom put in on the main floor of the Community Hall, the lake has been dredged and our cell tower is now being built, just to name a few projects.
I have been on the Summer ...
Plenty of sightings
Dear Cris,
Last year I contacted Ron Kolodziej about my neighbor Paul Guiton of Schenectady seeing a dead mountain lion on Rt. 88 near Richmondville. He was within 15 feet of it but did not have a camera.
He was on his way to Pennsylvania so he left it there. I told Ron to contact the State Police because they patrol this road.
As usual, nobody will talk about the cats that were stocked in pairs. My brother, while turkey calling in his woods in Sharon Springs, saw one walk a ...
Club says ‘thanks’
Dear Cris,
The Wells Fish and Game Club would like to thank the following organizations and people for making Old Homes Days a success for us.
First we would like to thank The Wells Improvement Group. Bringing together an event like this takes a lot of time and effort on everyone’s part. They did a great job. Keep up the good work.
Second, we would like to thank Gary and Donna Bureau for allowing us to use their garage to build our float, and Jim Abbott for ...
Dear Editor,
Piseco Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary’s Penny Auction Aug. 6 at Piseco Community Hall was an evening of great fun for people of all ages.
A special thanks to the following businesses that donated to the event: Leadley’s Sugar Bush, Zeiser’s Restaurant, Old Country Pizza, Logan’s Bar & Grill, Head 2 Toe Salon, Charlie Johns, NBT Bank, Sherry’s Embroidery, Village Fitness Club, Sunrise Diner, Adirondacks Speculator Region Chamber of Commerce, The ...
