{ title: 'Gouverneur tribune-press. (Gouverneur, N.Y.) 1990-current, December 04, 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/sn92061434/2008-12-04/ed-1/seq-4/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-12-04/ed-1/seq-4.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-12-04/ed-1/seq-4/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn92061434/2008-12-04/ed-1/seq-4/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
Image provided by: Northern NY Library Network
Page 4 Gouverneur Tribune Press Thursday, December 4,2008 ( —( editorial page % rtbune $re*tf 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: $33 per 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 Jenne - Circulation/Billing Lisa LaVancha -Advertising Representative Sandy Wyman - Reporter (315) 287-2100 #•••• Editorials... Black Friday Blues Thanksgiving has come and gone for another year. There's a lot of tradition involved with the annual holiday. Turkey, family, friends, football and, more recently, the start to the Christmas holiday shopping season that has become nearly as important for some as the Thanksgiving holiday itself. The day after Thanksgiving is now known as Black Friday, the premise is for merchants to take their yearly sales figures from the red to the black. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work out that way. Local merchants offer sales on Black Friday that may draw some customers into their stores, but it's the so called \big box\ stores that really reap the rewards from Black Friday, and that's not always good news for the local guy who struggles to pay his bills year round. It's tough for a small town appliance store to compete with the Wal-Marts and K-Marts of the world. These huge cbrporations can afford to offer \door buster\ specials at unheard of prices just to get shoppers in the door, knowing that they're likely to spend a fortune, maybe the bulk of their Christmas budget, before they leave. That's just not fair for the local merchant who has to continue to worry about paying his light bill and keeping fuel oil in the tank and simply can't compete against the prices offered by the giants. (Door buster deals took on a whole new meaning during a tragic store opening on Long Island... see Angel Thompson-Georges' details in her Letters to a Home Town column on this page.) If you were one of those who decided to get up at 3 a.m. to drive 45 minutes and wait three hours in line, just to hand over a fist-full of money to a huge corporation, than good for you. I hope you found the bargains you were searching for. But when you need to fill in the holes on your shopping list, or maybe need to find an unusual gift for someone special, consider shopping right here in Gouverneur. There's nothing better than opening a card and finding a gift certificate from a local merchant. Whether it's a restaurant, a beauty salon or any other local business. The gift will assure that the recipient will be able to enjoy the present without having to leave the community. There are certainly enough retail stores to take care of the other gift buying needs of area Christmas shoppers as well. And isn't it a little more comforting knowing that the money you spend locally is helping'to pay the salaries of many of your friends and neighbors, or helping to ensure that the business you are shopping at will still be here next Christmas, and many more to come. I'm not naive enough to think that people aren't going to make a trip to Watertown, Syracuse or Ogdensburg to do some Christmas shopping. I'm sure I'll make the venture myself, but please don't forget to shop Gouverneur this holiday season. Support the people during this time of giving, who are there for each of us 12 months a year. Why they call it Thanksgiving Speaking of giving... The true meaning of Thanksgiving could be found Thursday morning, right here in Gouverneur. While.many of us were busy preparing our own holiday meal, many Gouverneur area residents were at the United Methodist Church preparing holiday meals for people who are not able to prepare the annual feast for themselves. Meals were being prepared for the less fortunate, the elderly and the lonely. Take outs were available for those who requested them, others had their meals delivered by volunteers and many others enjoyed the delicious traditional turkey dinner in the company of others at the church. Each year these gracious volunteers give up a good portion of their Thanksgiving holiday to take part in an activity that demonstrates the true meaning of Thanksgiving. They offer their time, skills, care and a few kind words simply to brighten the holiday for those who can use a good meal, a friendly voice or a few minutes of companionship. All of those involved with the annual free holiday meal should be commended for their good deeds and their willingness to make a difference. Another black eye It was only a matter of time before I heard some of the snide comments that you knew were circulating around the North Country, maybe even around the state:., about the Gouverneur Correctional Facility and the sex scandal that has found a place in the headlines on at least three occasions over recent weeks. On Monday the third arrest was made involving a female employee at the Gouverneur Correctional Facility. Their crime... offering sexual favors to inmates at the prison. None of the three who have been charged, to this point, have resided in Gouverneur, but still the back-handed comments and off-color comments are being heard on a daily basis. How can the security system at a state prison be so backwards that prison employees can carry on sexual relationships with the inmates for months on end, and nobody knows about it. It took tips from fellow employees to bring the matter under investigation. Details of the latest arrest included the female employee offering favors to four inmates. In return, they were offered stolen items from the commissary as a reward for their service. This went on for many months. In the earlier arrests the activities had gone unnoticed for a much longer period of time... one for over two years. Employees even acted as lookouts so that these encounters could go unnoticed. The dirty little details of the actual encounters that have been offered to the press, are not what needs to be the focal point of this disgusting story. Prison officials need to investigate just how these kinds of activities can go unnoticed for years, and make a serious effort to see that it doesn't happen again. As for those who have been charged with serious felony sexual offenses, including rape and criminal sexual acts, I hope that they are not treated with kid gloves. They certainly deserve a fair trial, but if convicted, how ironic that they will see just what it's like to be on the other side of the steel doors! -Vide/ SterlOn^ By Sandy Wyman Dateline: December 1945 New York Central tests 400HP dlesel engine on mines and mills run Always looking to improve service in handling ore and freight on the Gouvemeur-Edwards branch and hauling of hundreds of cars in the local yards each week, the New York Central Railroad tested a diesel engine here last week. It found that although rated at 400 horsepower, it is not heavy enough for the job and it is understood another will be tried out with the objective of the eventual replacement of steam locomotives. A crew of nine experts under the supervision of W. A. Shea, trainmaster of Norwood, spent several days here testing the engine. George Parody of Gouverneur was broken in as engineer and fireman Rabetoy of Ogdensburg was on the other side of the cab. In addition there were two diesel inspectors. Straton and Gould from New York City, Schreyer and Bridges of the railroad's motor power department in Syracuse, local road foreman Thieobut and maintenance engineer Walton. The diesel is rated at 400 horsepower with its auxiliaries but the twin engines develop am actual pull of 3'00 horsepower when the auxiliaries are not cut in. It is serviced with heavy diesel oil and Carl Wheater, Standard Oil's representative in this area was in charge servicing the engine while it was tried out here. The engine was put to work on all the shifting responsibilities including the mine and mill service in the ore region and handling cars at the paper mill inNatural Dam. On the level, the diesel that weighs 700 tons but is much smaller than the standard steam locomotive did a satisfactory job. However that was not the test. When the engine was tried out on grades near the mine and mill sidings,, it was not powerful enough. The diesel left after testing and will be replaced later by another of the 185 engines that the railroad company owns. It has not been determined whether a locomotive of this type will be stationed in the Gouverneur yards on a permanent basis. Two steam engines and crews now do the shifting! for thelocal yards. Employees of Gouverneur's A&P Store in august of 1941 are shown from the left: Bill Hopper, Bill Appleby (Produce Counter Manager), Clarence Evans, \Shine\ Gilmore, James Rose, Art Bennett, Maurice Paige, Beulah Appleby (Dairy Department Manager), Bertha Gardner (Candy Counter Manager), Carol Storie Phelps, Mac JVIcRae (Store Manager), Jimmy Heath, \Ding\ Beaudin (Meat Counter Manager) and Bob Murphy. (Marjorie Farr collection) Tribune Press Letter to the Editor.,. Laura Slate... One of a kind To the Editor, On Sunday, November 23, Gouverneur lost a unique, hard-working, genuinely caring member of our community, with the passing of Laura Slate. As is so often voiced with the death of a family member or dear friend; \our loss is Heaven's gain.\ There is no question that Heaven has certainly gained a special soul in welcoming Laura into eternal life. I recall the many times Laura and I spent in conversation, whether on the phone, traveling after a meeting, or at her home, her primary interest and concerns were about family and the people of Gouverneur. Her compassion towards the needs and attention to family always came first; her dedication to those that included the extended family of residents of the Village of Gouverneur was also an important part of her life. Laura always made time to help those in need. She was willing to lend a helping hand at the drop of the hat, never to complain about being to busy. Laura's advice and savvy homespun wisdom were critical to the commercial growth and stability of Gouverneur throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Laura's efforts, with the teamwork of others, d-uring that time-were so instrumental in establishing the groundwork that ultimately persuaded NYSDOC to build a correctional facility here. As a result of those efforts a whole new avenue of employment opportunities and potential revenue became available for Gouverneur and the region. Even though she was never one to take much of the credit, Laura was the standard bearer when it came to government assistance, PILOT programs, or grant program assistance that would enhance the lives of families and the survival of the local business arena, whether corporate-based or small mom and pop enterprises. Her spirited efforts to maintain a necessary and - strong relationship with the Development Authority of the North Country and Fort Drum Liaison Council were well-known. She was certainly committed to graciously welcoming military personnel as they moved into the community over time. Time and space will not allow me to mention all the many activities and projects this woman was involved in; simply due to her compassion and dedication to family and public service to this community called Gouverneur. Those of us that knew her well, or just in passing are certainly better off for the impact that Laura had in our lives. God bless you Laura. Thanks for all you did. Rest easy now dear friend. You've certainly earned it. Bob Bowman Former Gouverneur Democratic Chairman No Thanksgiving leftovers for me! By Rev. Connie Seifert No Thanksgiving leftovers to take home... no turkey carcass for soup- making! I did eat a hearty Thanksgiving dinner at my Dad's house in Vernon, NY. My sister Becky cooks the turkey. I peel the potatoes. My sister Andrea mashes them and makes the gravy. My sister Kathy makes that wonderful pistachio gelatin salad with the mini- marshmallows. My daughter Fran sets the table and gets everyone their beverage of choice. The men try to stay out of our way until the feast is served. The reason I have no leftovers is because this year I drove to Edwards on Wednesday and stayed over. My daughter Fran and I drove to Vernon from Edwards Thursday morning and returned Thursday night. Friday morning I returned to Pennellville with Thunder, an all black and veiy affectionate older cat. She rode on the front seat, protesting mildly, but mostly just sleeping, probably wondering where this human creature was taking her. I left Pennellville around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The driving was horrible. I could not go over 40 almost all the way north on Route 81. Route 37 and the streets of Evans Mills were snow covered, kept it under 40 most of that stretch too. I got a bit of a respite when I reached Route 11 but it soon started snowing and traffic was heavy. 1 saw the sign that said \Gouverneur 8 miles.\ It took more than 30 minutes to go that short distance. I arrived at Gouverneur's Lawrence Manor hungry and bedraggled. It was a wonderful surprise to find out that 1 would be staying in Megan's Quilt Room at the top of the stairs. What a beautiful refuge from the winter outside! But before I could settle in, I had to eat, and what better place than Greg's Restaurant across the street. Their spaghetti and meatball dinner is as good as ever! I used to be able to indulge once a week. Foolishly I went back to the Manor after dinner instead of filling up the gas tank. I had a wonderful night's sleep in that big old four-poster bed and was on the road a little after 6 a.m. Jirn's gas station in Edwards wasn't open yet. McDonald's wasn't open. 1 prayed that we would find something open on the way. It was snowing. It was slow going once more. I picked up Fran and we . headed down Route 812 south. Thank goodness the gas station on the comer there was open and there were three pieces of breakfast pizza left. It was amazingly busy for such bad weather. Many hunters were out and about. They also have a public restrqom. I filled the gas tank, emptied my bladder and we snared the breakfast pizza as we inched our way through Harrisville. There are many journeys across Indian River Road in my past. I attended SUNY Potsdam. I married and lived in Norwood for six years. Then I was the pastor in Edwards and South Edwards for six years. When I was a smoker, 1 cotild smoke three to five cigarettes traveling that road in this kind of weather. Eventually the weather started improving. By the time we reached Turin, the sun was shining and the roads were bare except for the occasional wind blown drifts. By 10:30 a.m. we were at Dad's and began the annual preparations for Thanksgiving described in the first paragraph. I got to see Santa's arrival on the Macy's parade. We ate too much. We caught up with each other during our mealtime conversations. And then Becky rinsed off the dishes and loaded the dishwasher before we tackled dessert. I always miss my Mom at Thanksgiving. It is much quieter without her ordering us all around. Becky's kind of in charge but mostly, we just do what we've always done. Traditionally, we would play a game before dessert. It is always a challenge to come up with one that everyone can and/or will play. Fran and I wanted to be back on the road by 3 p.m., so we didn't have a Continued on page 5 Letters To A Home Town A Black Friday tragedy By Angel Thompson-Georges The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year. Even with the advent of Internet shopping, hoards of people head for the malls, chain stores, and (hopefully) Main Streets to finish, or more often get started on their holiday shopping. The day is commonly referred to as Black Friday, because of the number of storeowners who finally reach a point of operational profit on that day. This year the name took on another meaning as a WalMart greeter was trampled to death as he opened the doors of the Valley Stream Long Island store. The WalMart where this tragedy happened is almost exactly as far from where I live now as the farm I grew up on is from the town of Gouverneur. When I saw the headline I was shocked. What happened to the down-turned economy, everyone too broke for shopping? How could there be such shopping hoards as to stampede a man causing his death? Even in the most flush of seasons how could something like this happen? When a human life is lost in the rush to get a new plasma TV, something isn't right! My mind drifted back to the early 80 's when the first Cabbage Patch Dolls were all the rage. I remember hearing about the throngs of shoppers toppling tables, ripping packages from one another's hands. There were psychologists who offered creative explanations for the near hysteria; the dolls features, big eyes.and pudgy cheeks, triggered nurturing instincts. The two ideas conflicted in my mind even then. What kind of nurturing instinct would make a parent rip the hair from another's head justto secure a new doll for their kid? What is it in the human mentality that places such a priority on getting material things? Is it some recessive trait from the hunter-gatherer days, when bringing home the kill meant not only food and warm hides, but also honor? Is it the endless stream of advertising fed to us on TV, the sides of busses, even on posters in public restrooms? Was the tragedy at the Valley Stream WalMart a keeping up. with the Jones' comparison game played to the death? If that is the way the game is played, I'm taking my ball and going home, I don't want to play anymore. But the holidays are coming, and I will play. I just won't play that way. I am not a proponent of obligatory gift giving, but I am not opposed to the exchange of gifts. I will buy useful things and special tokens for those who are close to me. I will make donations to causes in the honor of others. I will feed my dollars into the economy, but in doing so I will try to be conscious of where and what I buy. Black Friday has passed. May the remainder of the shopping days before Christmas be marked with brighter headlines! I hope this letter has found you and yours'in good spirits and good health. Until I write again...