To the Editor:

We owe volunteer emergency service providers a great debt of gratitude for all of the hard work that they do. Almost 85 percent of all firefighters in New York participate on a volunteer basis. There are also over 57,000 certified emergency medical service (EMS) providers in the state, a majority of whom are volunteers.

To the Editor:

There was a cartoon in a recent issue of the “Chattanooga Times Free Press” showing a “cutish” rat holding a sign saying “Support the Fat Cats” and on his t-shirt it says, “tea-party.” I suppose if you looked real close, one could see that the sign and tee shirt were provided to the rat courtesy of the Koch brothers.

To the Editor:

Dear Superintendent and Administrators:

I am writing this letter as a concerned citizen of the Potsdam School District. Shame on you!

I am trying to figure out why the school budget is so hard to manage. Coming from my house to Route 11, which is only three miles, there are 24 houses. This is approximately $43,200 in taxes. That is only a small area and parts of two roads.

How come you don’t have enough money to pay everyone? Why are you cutting teaching positions?

Want to keep your kids out of trouble, get a little exercise and be surrounded by really good people? Enroll them in a swim program at SUNY Potsdam. It’s affordable and a perfect way to increase exercise, self-esteem, and general well being. And what a better way to cure winter blahs than a jump in a pool? And it helps parents too. While your kids are swimming for a small fee of $20 a month, parents can go upstairs and use the state of the art fitness center. Exercise equals well-being and a healthy heart. I’m a parent who has been doing this with our kids for three years now.

I think the teachers could stop complaining and start teaching. Their classes are too small and the need for aides is unnecessary! The aides are a costly expense for the school districts, wages plus benefits. The teachers can handle more students and it is about time they get to work. Sports could be looked at but don’t cut the program just to save, most of the coaches are volunteer people. Keep games within your school district. The students on the buses can ride with the lower grades as well as the high school students.

I am not a chicken! Thus said, I will perturb my Potsdam neighbors and friends and say “no, no, no” to chickens! They smell bad and attract wild animals. We worry about lawns not being tended to and how high the grass can grow, signs that detract from the “beauty” of our downtown, toilets that are a political statement, cars parked on the lawns, increased taxes and looking at taxing properties that sit empty because we can’t fill houses and businesses and yet we are going to allow chickens into our backyards? Can I have a pony too, huh, Dad?

Regarding “Enough is Enough” (March 18, 2011). I agree with you.  My family and I have been season ticket-holders for many years now.  It’s not enjoyable to watch Clarkson hockey anymore. I believe it falls on the coaching staff. Every year, Clarkson seems to be getting worse and worse. They are not bringing in the caliber of recruits that they used to, they are amongst the leaders in penalty minutes in the nation, and they get walked all over on their home ice.  Clarkson hockey used to be considered one of the tops in college hockey. Now that tradition is fading fast.