{ title: 'Gouverneur tribune-press. (Gouverneur, N.Y.) 1990-current, June 19, 2008, Page 4, Image 4', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-06-19/ed-1/seq-4/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-06-19/ed-1/seq-4.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-06-19/ed-1/seq-4/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-06-19/ed-1/seq-4/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
Image provided by: Northern NY Library Network
Page 4 Gouverneur Tribune Press Thursday, June 19,2008 editorial page tribune ffireftet The Gouverneur Tribune Press (USPS) 640-300 is published every Thursday by Gouverneur Tribune Press, Inc., 74 Trinity Avenue Gouverneur, New York 13642 Subscription rate: $33per year Periodicals: postage paid at Gouverneur, N.Y. Postmaster: send address changes to: Gouverneur Tribune Press, Inc., 74 Trinity Ave., Gouverneur, N.Y. M. Dan McClelland - Publisher Dick Sterling - Editor/General Manager Bobbi Sterling - Circulation/Billing Lisa LaVancha - Advertising Representative Sandy Wyman - Reporter Nancy McConnell - Reporter (315) 287-2100 So long Tim and \Pick\ Over the past few days we heard a lot about death... the death of a respected broadcast journalist, sudden, but of quite natural causes, and the unnatural death of a young Antwerp man while stationed in Iraq, his third tour of duty during this complicated war. One was heavily involved in politics, on the big stage. The other left small-town politics to his wife, he preferred the simple pleasures of a visit to the neighborhood tavern, or maybe a ride through the woods on a four-wheeler or an afternoon spent with a fishing pole in his hands. Both were highly respected in their hometowns. One, the journalist, was offered countless hours of tributes, especially from his own network. His. story was given more coverage over the weekend than the raging floods in the Northern Plains. And certainly more coverage than the death of the war hero. Tim Russert, the host of NBC's Meet the Press for nearly 20 years, and one of the industry's most respected political pundits, dropped dead from a heart attack while working in Washington DC on Friday. His sudden death shocked journalists and politicians alike. Tributes began within hours of his death. He was 58. Staff Sgt. Tyler \Pick\ Pickett was working too, on June 8, in Kirkuk province, Iraq, when a stranger driving a truck, packed with explosives, approached Pick's unit, the 2 nd Batallion, 22 nd Infantry, 1 st Brigade Combat Team. The person driving the truck was willing to die attempting to kill American soldiers. The exploding truck took Pick's life, 18 others in his unit were injured. He was 28. On Monday, regular people like you and I, stood shoulder-to-shoulder along the streets of Antwerp. They came out to say so long to Sgt. Pickett. A local hero... who gave his life for his country. Who was willing to make three tours, two to Iraq and another to Afghanistan. From Antwerp the procession, including over 50 motorcycles of the Legion Riders, drove under two fire trucks near the Route 11 intersection in Antwerp, the American flag hung from the extended ladders of the trucks. They proceeded to Gouverneur, where a military unit respectfully, removed Staff Sgt. Pickett from the back of a hearse and carried him into Green Funeral Home. His calling hours were Tuesday. His funeral was yesterday at St. Michael's Church in his adopted hometown of Antwerp. Mr. Russert was a unique journalist. He cared deeply for the political process. He did his homework. He wasn't afraid to ask the tough questions. But in recent years his human qualities became as well-known by many as his professionalism. He cared deeply for his hometown of Buffalo. He was also a very loving father and son. By all indications Tim Russert was a great guy. On Friday Tim, just weeks after passing a cardiac stress test, suffered a sudden fatal heart attack. Basically, he didn't know what hit him. If Friday was an average day in America, 850 others also suffered a fatal and sudden heart attack and died. They just weren't as famous as Tim Russert. There families, like the Russert family, are mourning their shocking loss. Hopefully Tim's death will alert many of us, especially those over 40, of just how quick it can happen. The best way to avoid suffering a fatal heart attack is to eat right, exercise and stay away from cigarettes. The best time to make these choices is before you are diagnosed with heart disease. As for \Pick\ Pickett, he was certainly honored by those who knew him and his wife. His military brothers and sisters have shed tears over their fallen friend. He will never be forgotten by those who knew him. Unfortunately, families across America continue to bury their heroes nearly every day. Pick is one of nearly 4,000 victims of the War in Iraq. He will not be the last. Every day little villages like Antwerp and Gouverneur, as well as communities of every size, from Maine to California, Florida to Alaska, welcome home the victims of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our nation's heroes should be offered a few minutes of glory. Couldn't NBC spare a few minutes each day to offer a brief history of those who died fighting for our nation. Couldn't CNN spare a few seconds of their 24-hour-a-day news coverage to offer a glimpse into the lives of the Tyler Pickett's of the nation... and the family members that they leave behind. Over the past few days we have all gotten to know \Big Russ\ and Luke Russert, Tim's father and son. They loved and respected Tim, and had plenty of great stories to tell about his interesting life. Some of the biggest broadcast journalists in the industry have openly shed tears and offered hours of tributes to their fallen friend. Even the President and Vice- President have made statements concerning Mr. Russert. I realize that being in front of the spotlight can make you bigger than life. Tim Russert was a great guy. He never forgot where he came from. He was the kind of guy you wanted to sit down and have a beer with. In fact, I bet Tim would not enjoy all of the media attention directed at his sudden death... I bet he would have much preferred sitting with \Pick\ Pickett at Mike's Tavern in Antwerp, drinking a beer and hearing stories about the war, and what life has to offer in Antwerp, New York. This week those most important in the lives of two special Americans struggled to say goodbye. One was a respected Washington journalist.. the other a war hero from the tiny community of Antwerp. Hopefully... they are now both in a much better place! -VOdh SterUfig> By Sandy Wyman June 21,1961 Medical wing work to start • Constniction of additional parking areas at the local hospital to pave the way for a ' new medical wing was completed this week. At the same time, Rouse Construction, general contractors for the new addition announced that pouring - of concrete foundations would begin on Monday of next week. W. H. Foster, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees said that development of the new parking areas was made possible by a generous gift from Mr. and Mrs. Earl Laidlaw. Mr. Laidlaw is a tmstee of the local hospital and president of North Country Hospitals. Both Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw have worked actively and supported activities of the hospital for many years. Mr. Foster also pointed out that the couple was responsible for the last addition to the parking area a few years ago when a portion of the Hill lot was purchased and developed by them. The new parking areas will accommodate about 50 more automobiles. The work was necessary at this time to relieve congestion during visiting hours and to make spaces available for patients who will be visiting doctors' offices in the new addition. New spaces opposite the main and emergency entrances have been reserved for doctors with the resultant elimination of parallel parking at the entrance, This will permit cars to pick up or discharge patients at the entrance. Mr. Foster said that observance of the posted parking regulations would permit safe accommodation of the maximum number of cars in the available space. Abrantes Enterprises of Gouverneur completed the parking area work. In order to gain space for the parking area a strip wide enough to accommodate cars parked diagonally was cut from around three sides of the hospital's front lawn and another strip of lawn bordering the Clayton Rush property was converted to a parking area. The $200,000 two-story medical wing will be constricted at the western end of the present building to which it will be attached. It will provide space for six doctors' suites of three rooms each or more as well as additional space that can be flexibly used for visiting specialists and the heart clinic. Funds for the construction were provided by a gift from the Edward John Noble Foundation announced last December. Herbert V. Whalen, manager of construction for the Rouse firm said today that demolition of a retaining wall has been completed and that the foundation work will start Monday of next week. Supervisory personnel on the job will Roger Felio of Gouverneur (project manager), Michael Suraske of Clinton (project superintendent) and Ward Mallette of Gouverneur (carpentry foreman). A portion of the new parking areas around the perimeter of the lawn at the E. J. Noble Hospital is shown in this photo taken from the roof of the building looking toward West Barney. from 1118 Assembly flOOr GHS '08 Commencement June is the time to recognize New York's dairy industry By Dede Scozzafava Living in the North Country, I'm sure that many of us know a dairy farmer or even have one in the family. With agriculture as our state's top industry, and its largest sector being comprised of dairy farming, it is inconceivable to think what Upstate New York would be like without our dairy farmers. Milk is New York's leading agricultural product and has been for many years. In fact, milk has been the official state beverage for over 25 years. Milk sales account for one-half of total agriculture receipts in the state. According to the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, production in 2005 was 11.7 billion pounds with a value of $1.91 billion, making New York the nation's third leading producer. We all know that dairy farmers are some of the hardest working people in our state, but the last few years have been very difficult for them. In 2006 alone, an estimated 460 dairy farms were forced to shut down. To ease some of the pain, last year the Legislature passed the Dairy Assistance program, which called for S30 million in a one time direct payment to offset the low price of milk being paid to our dairy farmers. Now, milk prices are on the rise and our farmers are being forced to face new challenges with the sagging economy. Representing a majority of the farmers in Upstate New York, my Conference and I will continue to be a voice for the entire agricultural industry and ensure that it remains the backbone of our economy. For more than a decade, my Assembly colleagues and I have celebrated dairy farming by hosting Dairy Day in Albany. This year, June 18 will be the day that hundreds of people converge on the Legislative Office Ikrilding to help us highlight some of the state's dairy farmers and others in the dairy industry. The event also features Dairy Princesses from around the state, as well as a live calf. On display will be a variety of milk, yogurt, cheese and everyone's favorite, ice cream. As always, vendors from all over Upstate New York are scheduled to participate, and showcase their fresh products at our event. Let's show our support of local daily farmers this month, by picking up a fresh gallon of milk. While enjoying a \milk mustache,\ we can all be thankful that we live in one of the best dairy producing states in the nation. set for Friday, June 27th John J. Dixon, high school principal at Gouverneur Central School has announced that the 2008 Commencement Exercises will be held on Friday, June 27 at 7:30pm at the grandstand adjacent to the high school. In case of inclement weather, the program will be held in the auditorium. Following the processional, Class of 2008 students Danielle Easton, Christopher Dixon and Holly Weaver will address the class. There will be remarks to the Class of 2008 by Superintendent Christine J. LaRose. Mr. Dixon will present awards to the Class of 2008 and then will present the class to Gouverneur Central School Board of Education President Nancy J. Cappellino. Music will be provided by the Gouverneur Senior High School Band under the direction of Kathleen Moses and Select Choir under the direction of Richard Haynes. A hero is welcomed home Antwerp firefighters carefully place a flag between two ladder trucks on Monday in preperation for the procession that transported the body of Staff Sgt. Tyler Pickett through Antwerp on Monday. Flags (below) are see in front of the Route 11 sign in Antwerp. (Dick Ster- ling photos) During the Moving up Day ceremony held at GHS on Friday, June 13, John Halford presented the John L. Halford Memorial Scholarships to Brittany Carr and Isaac Emrich. (Sandy Wyman photo) Letters To A Home Town Making a herd decision! The business side of family farming By Angel Thompson-Georges The e-mail came a few weeks ago. It read like a confession one had just gathered up the courage and blurted out. \Hey Kid - Sold the cows. They went last Friday a.m.\ From 350 odd miles away I could hear the barn quiet. The rattle of neck chains, slush-slurp of water buckets, and odd snort cough all strangely absent. I knew that selling the herd was pending, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise. It wasn't really. What was a surprise was the wave of guilt... I am the first born grandchild, the daughter of the son of the son. It is a family farm, where generations have grown, lived, worked, stayed. I broke the chain. It is not that eveiy brother or sister, aunt and uncle stayed before me. They didn't. It is that, as my father's only child, I was the most likely to stay, but I didn't. I can't explain why it wasn't for me. Cows are beautiful creatures, with big dark eyes and long soft lashes that if worn by a lover would make you melt. A flank leaned into, not quite awake just before the dawn, a cold winter morning, milking time... Some 1,200 pounds of living being, there to offer wannth. Events in my life have been described in cow terms. When my son was born I remember telling my dad, that breast-feeding had given me a whole new appreciation for why fresh heifers jump and kick at the milking machines like they do. I am the first in a speckling of grandchildren and great- grandchildren that spans just over 30 years. Only two of us count in the ranks of adults so far. Sometimes we two talk about what it means to not be the ones that stay on, what our hopes are for the family fann. For us the farm has always been there, an option, a place to call home. What we hope for our younger cousins and our own children is just that; that the farm will be there, that being the next generation family farmer is an option for them, and that they will always have a place to go home. From 350 some miles away, I can hear the bam quiet, but I know the farm is still very much alive. Plans for a new sugarhouse are in the works, and thanks to the rain, haying is miming a little behind. When we talked on Father's Day I asked my dad how it was to have no cows, he chuckled and told me he tries to sleep in an extra half hour in the morning. A lifetime of getting up at dawn will not change easily. He didn't mention the three milkers he didn't sell with the herd. Grandma ratted him out on that. I just grinned knowing that for at least one more summer my city kids will get to drink milk that comes straight from a cow instead of the store, 1 hope this letter has found you and yours in good spirits and good health. Until I write again...
