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^ A small fee for a big job Essex County has a chance to raise $50,000 a year for roadwork by charg- ing a $2.50 fee for vehicle registrations. That sounds like quite a bargain, but don't bet on it passing. The only thing politicians hate more than imposing a new tax is losing an election. That's one reason the onerous and unfair property tax has survived all these years — it would have to be replaced by one that would cost more people. And another charge on top of a vehicle-registration fee would be an- noying for owners, no question about that. It looks as if enough opposition has surfaced on this one to kill its chances. But, when you get right down to it, $2.50 every two years is pocket change. And the good it will do is truly signifi- cant. The state has cut back its Com- prehensive Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS).' That provides money that was used to repair roads and bridges in the county. Voters decided last election that they wanted less government, less ex- pense. They got it. But, with less expense comes less service. One of the services we'll be seeing less of is state help on local roads. So where will the money come from? The state allows counties to impose the additional fee on the vehicle- registration fees they pay every two years, and the county would be oppor- tunistic to take advantage of it. Look at it as a user fee. It won't hit everybody, but it will hit the people who use the roads the most — owners of vehicles. And $2.50 every other year isn't go- ing to put anybody on public assistance. Annoying, yes; crippling, no. A hearing on the matter will be held at 9:30 a.m. next Monday — a pro- hibitive time for many interested citi- zens, but the Essex County Board of Supervisors has always had a pen- chant for getting things done in the daytime. The consequence of the law not passing would be either less highway \work or finding the funds someplace else. The state, under mandate from; voters, has cut the amount of money it 1 will provide for counties. The county, in this case, would be unwise to follow suit. Defending America The Army's as good as its word Last Friday, an old soldier, Cleavie Adams, called and asked for help. His son, Michael, joined the Army in Little Rock, Ark., last May, enlisting for Infantry Airborne Ranger — parachute school followed by the most rigorous course the Army has to offer: Ranger training. The recruiter said it was a done deal. You guessed it. After Michael finished Basic Training at Ft. Benning, Ga., he was told to report to the 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Drum, N.Y. Mountain soldiers are tough guys, but they don't leap out of perfectly good airplanes in the dark of night, and they're not the ultimate hard-core Ranger warriors Michael joined up to fight alongside. Michael was not a happy soldier. Especially when he had busted his butt in Basic, where he finished No. 1 in his class in physical fitness, fired expert in rifle marksmanship and graduated in the top 5 percent of his company. But Michael is not the kind of guy to stop fighting for what's right. Being an Army brat, he knew if anybody could fix his raw deal, his retired Army first sergeant father could. He told his dad, \I have a contract with the Ar- my. I could have gone Navy where I was promised SEAL training (the Navy's equivalent of Airborne Ranger), but I went Army 'cause you were a career soldier, and I wanted to follow in your boot prints.\ Michael's dad knew which buttons to push and where to look. He investigated and discovered that the Army recruiter verbally promised Michael Air- borne Ranger training, but there was nothing in writing. Technically, Michael did not have a contract. He had been ambushed by a double-dealing recruiter who, probably desperate to meet his assigned quota, wrote a check he knew would bounce* I called an old paratrooper buddy of mine at Ft. Benning, Al Blanchard — who has made more jumps than there are airplanes — passed on what Adams said and asked for his help. On Saturday morning, Rich McDowell, Ft. Ben- ning\s public-affairs officer, rang from his home and said, \We're working the Adams case. We'll have some info for you by Monday.\ On Monday, before first light, McDowell was back on the horn saying Ft. Benning commander Gen. Jay Hendrix had been briefed and the Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox had been \energized.\ Two hours later, a call to Fort Knox revealed that Maj. \Bubba\ Woods, an aide to the comman- ding general of the Recruiting Command, had briefed his boss and that top priority had been assigned to finding out why Michael didn't get what the recruiter had promised. The same day, well after duty hours, retired Sgt. Maj. Frank Shaffrey called from Knox to say, \The Pentagon has been briefed.\ He said, \I think we're going to get Adams squared away. We're extending his leave and should have him jumping out of airplanes soon. I'll ring you tomorrow.\ On Tuesday at noon — less than 16 duty hours from my first call to Blanchard — Shaffrey rang back. \Adams has been told to report back to Ben- ning to attend parachute school, and we're working on his Ranger training,\ he said. \There may have been a misunderstanding be- tween the recruiting sergeant and Michael, but if Michael heard it that way, that's what he's going to get.\ I thanked him, and he replied, \In today's Army, we take care of our own.\ I rang Michael to give him the word, and he was mighty pleased. This future Airborne Ranger said, \I plan to graduate top in my class and be a No. 1 Ranger warrior.\ I told Michael not to get himself killed, and he said, \Don't worry about that, sir, it's the enemy that better worry.\ Where do we get such fine young men, and hasn't the Army changed? Back when I wore boots, only the top brass got the special care and atten- tion Pvt. Michael Adams received. Oh, you want to know what happened to the wheeler-dealer recruiting sergeant? First Sgt. Adams says, \He got fired, and that's the way it should be. Soldiers should never lie. War is a life- and-death business, and when a sergeant says he's taken the hill, he damn well better be sitting on top it.\ Amen. King Faaturat Syndicate, Inc. Your voices in government -In Wathlngton- Rep. John McHugh 24th Congressional District Room 416 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone:(202)225-4611 (518) 563-1406 Rep. Gerald Solomon 22nd Congressional District 2265 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5614 (518) 477-2703 Sen. Alfonso D'Amoio 520 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6542 Son. Dcmltl P. Moynlhan Room SR-464 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4451 In Albany Son. Ronald Stafford 45th Senatorial District Room 502, Capitol Albany, N.Y. 12247 Phone:(518)455-2811 (518) 561-2430 Atiomblyman Chris Ortloff 110th Assembly District Room 450 Legislative Office Building Albany, N.Y. 12248 Phone: (518) 455-5943 (518) 562-1986 (518) 483-9930 Assemblyman Jamas P. King 109th Assembly District Room 722 Legislative Office Building Albany, N.Y. 12248 Phone: (518) 455-5565 (518) 792-4546 ^oCOr UK£ M6DiCA\D, ; 1 MORe DEFENSE. SfWNG THAN THE PENTAGON K 0 THAN WS14J0N EACH! HCW MUCH is A BIU4CN? L, IF YOU SHOT ONe \ CAJTOFA is iem>, YOU snu; WOULDMT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Meeting revealing To the Editor: After reading Mr. Minogue's Letter to the Edi- tor, I decided to attend the Sept. 21 meeting at AuSable. I was astonished at what I heard and saw. I heard a young man plead his case for a doctor's bill he re- ceived for an accident his daugh- ter had at school, he was under the impression that if a shild is hurt at school, the school's in- surance would cover the medical costs. From the board's view this is not the case, and this young man will have to pay some of this bill, he made mention about a \Cadillac plan for the faculty and a Chevrolet plan for the children.\ Another young man addressed the board about a book that his daughter brought home from her seventh-grade class*to read and make a report on. When she started to read it, she said \Dad- dy, there are bad words in this book.\ This young father was very angry with what he read and made copies to show each board member. He then asked each member if they would want their child to read such filth. Each board member said no, one board member having his daugh- ter in the same class. The name of the teacher was stamped on the inside cover of the book. The president of the board said, \Maybe someone else put the book on shelf!\ His first concern should have been the children at risk in that classroom, instead his remark appeared to want to absolve the teacher of • any re- sponsibility! Who knows how many books like this could have been on the shelf in the past? Also, I didn't now that we were paying our architect an average of over $900 a week for the past three years! Don't you think it's about time you attended these meetings? Floyd Plunkett AuSable Forks The Press-Republican wel- comes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed (except e-mail) and include the address and telephone number of the author. Letters must not contain more than 300 words. They should be typewritten. Those letters not meeting the criteria will not be published and will be returned. The Pjess-Repub- lican reserves the right not to publish letters it judges to be inappropriate. By mail: Letters to the Editor Press-Republican P.O. Box 459 Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901 By e-mail: PRepub@aol.com By fax: 561-3362 Truth omitted To tho Editor: In \Episcopalian leader accused of wrongdoing\ of Sept. 2, Mike McManus omits the truth in order to fill, his col- umn. His lead offswing is reference to \loss of a half million members\ which he tries to blame on the presiding bishop, the Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning. The actual loss was only half that from 1985 (the year before Bishop Browning was installed) to 1993 (the last year for which figures are available. This loss is, approximately, the same percentage as that of all the mainline denominations as listed by Roozeri and Hadaway, Table Al.JL, \Church and Denominational Growth,\ Ab- ington Press, 1993. Further, McManus fails to acknowledge that the Episcopal Church is the only mainline denomination with a four-year growth record as of 1993 — a period that covers the last four of Bishop Browning's first eight years in office. Along the way, McManus goes on to quote the new evangelism officer, the Rev. Linda Strohmier out of context. As previous holder to that office, I have been able to check out these misquotes easily. The primary omission by McManus is the decision of the General Convention in 1991 to undertake a long-term and in- depth study of sexuality before any decisions about homosexuali- ty are written into church canons. The presiding bishop is working to carry out that study, as is his duty. Further, every major denomination in the U.S. is facing controversy over homosexuality at this time, just as the nation as a whole is doing. Whoever was presiding bishop at this time would be in Bishop Browning's position. If Mr. McManus continues to ignore checking his facts in order to pander to sensationalism, his readers will have to learn to dis- count all of his columns. Elizabeth P. and A. Wayne Schwab Essex A vote for Dame To the Editor: In a few short weeks, residents of Plattsburgh will choose a mayor and city councilors to lead the community in the first years of an era mark- ed by the absence of the Air Base and the political and economic shakiness just north of our border. The impact of each of these factors by itself is for- midable; together, they con- stitute a challenge to our city demanding vision and teamwork. Endless televised reruns of guided tours^of existing businesses and orchestrated sound bites a la \2000 jobs by 2000\ do little more than heighten the visibility of the in- cumbent mayoral candidate. What Plattsburgh needs to effec- tively meet the challenge of the future is committed team players, more interested in tackling the task at hand than in personal image enhancement. In my estimation, Mark Dame will keep a close eye on the public purse as mayor, allowing it to be dipped into in a reason- able fashion in order to provide the services essential to the city and at the same time work hard to insure the taxpayers are not asked to give more and more. An expanding tax base to spread the burden must be achieved, and I believe Mark will actively seek out_and attract op- portunities • for Plattsburgh. A vote for Mark Dame for mayor on Election Day is a vote for a man willing to put Plattsburgh first and conduct himself, as he did while serving on the council, as a true public servant. Please join me in supporting Mark Dame on Nov. 7. Marilyn McClure Plattsburgh Letter of support To the Editor: I'm writing on behalf of Marguerite Tamer, candidate for councilperson in the Town of Plattsburgh. I've known Marguerite and her fam- ily for many years. For nearly seven of those years we worked together for Clinton County Gov- ernment. I served as president of the CSEA Unit and Marguerite was the county personnel direc- tor. During that period of time employee relations were dealt with in a very fair and open manner. Marguerite could be counted on to treat each employee with respect and to thoroughly research concerns to ensure fair treatment of the employee within the guidelines of the contract. Due to Marguerite's will- ingness to listen and investigate solutions, rarely did employee problems go father than the Per- sonnel Department. It is this type of person, willing to listen, to research and to always be fair that we need on our Town Board. Geraldine Darrah Cadyville Backs O'Connell To the Editor: I would like to say congratulations to Shirley O'Connell for a job well done. I have worked with her on fund- raising projects, and she has done a fantastic job. She has always come through and is a person who keeps her word. Shirley, I wish you the best of success in your campaign. Judy Ramey Pittsburgh SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 Press-Republican 170 Margaret St., Platlsburgh, N.Y. 12901 (USPS 443-240) •i t$Q°i' SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1995 The Republican 1811, The Press 1894, The Press-Republican 1942 Brenda J. Tallman Publisher Jamej D. Dynko, Editor Robert J. Grtdy, Managing Editor Lois M. Cletmonl, News Editor Bruce Rowland, Business Editor John Downs, Design Editor Robert 0. Goelz, Sports Editor David Piczak, Pholo Editor Damian Fanelli, Sunday Editor Daniel B. Swift, General Manager Sean T. McNamaia, Marketing—Sales Manager Lyman G. Beiio, Classified Advertising Manager George Rock. Retail Advertising Manager Chris Christian, Circulation Managar • Catherine A Duquette, Controller Virgil L. Cross, Press Foreman Daniel L, Thayer, Production Managar Jamas O. Frsnya, Distribution Suparviaor Published daily «ach morning except cartain Telephone 561-2300. Second data at 170 Margaret Strsat, Plattsburgh, N.Y. •.<ii-.ii. .. ™ vri-Ki-T' \c Mrgh,.N.Y. 12901. The Press-Republican is published by the Plattaburgh Publishing Company Division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. National Advertising Representative: Papert Companies, 400 North Street Paul No. 800, Dallaa, Texas 75201-3119, Area Cade 214-969-0000. . Subscription rates by U.S. Mail $196.00 one year; $107.90 six months; $63.95 three months. (Mail rates not applicable in areas served by carrier or motor delivery). Rates for all other places and apecial \out-of-town servicemen rates on'reqUest. \ ~ \\ ' ~\ ~* - * ' DOONESBURY Garry Trudeau SOU MOW MAT ONE OF7H&POCTQR&H&& M?HAI «/WVf5 SKI SEASON, TH& fimiT 100 P&0P& A . PAYH&&ALLPF UPONTHBMOUKrAIN Bigg WHAT A SCAM,HUH?ALL NEW YOR Davis, an icoi activism, on I the Million M organizer, I« leader Louis excluding woi \No marc] agenda that in the narrc seeks to mal partners in equality can positive ste speaking on t to the marc 2000. \Theref Davis appe Cuts progi critici ByWI Associc SYRACUS: • top Clinton i ficial criticize day for turni \public healt' of drug abuse model subst ; ment center. \Congress going to pla; crucial public 1 Fred Garcia, the federal O Policy. \This is crisis. This i crisis. This is We have to g cal rhetoric, vest in our ch Garcia sp Friday touri treatment fai 1 ving Memor: monwealth I On Tuesd : Rochester prevention \ cents being National Gus Garcia m about the m was on the r President Cl ramification federal budg abuse treatn considered b; \The outl gress want! totally dest programs ac though we h shows these effective,\ s£ fice coording substance al Qtiifto girls/#« tfrf Cor Satur enj< viewinc
