To the Editor:

In proposing, passing and taking credit for the property tax cap, the Governor and Senators Ritchie, Blankenbush and Griffo discredited the St. Lawrence County Legislature and the other county legislatures in New York State.

They also discredited the 700 local school boards in our state, as well as all other local governments duly elected by the local constituents.

They tried to impose their will on duly elected officials who have the authority and the mandate to set taxes and to make laws based on local needs.

To the Editor:

There are tremendous amounts of fear tactics and just plain “donkey dust” being tossed into this debate about dissolving the village -- mostly by people who have so much to lose if it happens -- the “empire” might just fall if it actually occurs. Gee, what a tragedy!

So, let me ask a few questions of all of you -- business friends & individuals alike:

1) Did all of you (along with me) truly enjoy making your last payment on your 2011 June village taxes?

To the Editor:

I usually avoid downtown Potsdam at lunchtime, however one day last week, I decided to give Billy’s a try.

For a quick bite at a local place, Billy’s is a go to.

There is easy parking.

The manager and staff are extremely friendly and attentive.

Service was quick, the decor was playful and inspiring and the subs were fresh and delicious.

It is nice to have such a delightful and affordable eatery in Potsdam.

Jill LaCoss

Potsdam

The DEC states there would be a mountain lion hit by a vehicle and dead in the road if they were here. Not if the population is small. When is the last time you’ve seen a dead bear in the road? Or moose? Both have been sighted in several places around the county. We’ve had a mother bear and cubs last fall and a moose a few years ago. I also saw a mountain lion on our property in Stockholm around 2006. It paced back and forth along the field and tree line making a growling noise. It was a golden yellow/brown color but it was the long tail that was unmistakable.

Does anyone else notice at the intersection of Bay Street and Pierrepont Avenue. When you are driving down Pierrepont toward town you may have a green light, however if you look, the walk light is also telling the pedestrians to walk across Bay Street. I would assume that this problem would have been fixed immediately when last week the light fixer upper people were working and I informed them of the problem and the guy replied yes we will check it out.

RUSSELL – A Canton man faces drunk driving and other charges following an ATV accident Saturday while illegally driving on County Rt. 27, according to state police.

Cole J. Olmstead, 28, Canton, was charged Sept. 4 with two counts of driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an injury accident, illegally operating an ATV on a highway and operating a vehicle without insurance.

He was issued appearance tickets for court at a later date.

CANTON – The St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging is sponsoring a free health and fitness program for senior citizens age 60 and older.

The program is an opportunity to get into shape, increase energy level, have fun and meet new friends.

It will be held at the St. Lawrence University Fitness Center and instructed by fitness professionals. Seniors are urged to join and start feeling the benefits of a regular exercise program.

The six-week program will be offered two days per week on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. from Oct. 4 to Nov. 1o

DEKALB – Enjoy traditional country fun presented by the DeKalb Historical Association at their Fall Family Festival Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their Meetinghouse Museum located at the intersection of U.S. Rt. 11 and East DeKalb Road.

Admission is free.

Children can paint pumpkins, have their faces painted, make scarecrows, and create their own ice cream sundaes all day long.

At 1 p.m. they can watch a ventriloquist make his sidekicks come to life and talk.

Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the festival’s music.

GOUVERNEUR – The St. Lawrence Valley Draft Horse Club will sponsor Plow Days Sept. 10 and 11 at 362 County Route 22, the Farm-to-Market Road.

The agricultural history event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Exhibits and events will depict the way farming was done in the olden days.

Featured will be plowing, a walking plow, a sulky plow, mowing and cutting hay, a hay press, grain binding, threshing, corn cutting, potato digging, a blacksmith, horse-and-wagon rides, pony rides, a cake walk, raffles and refreshments.