Grad requirement
illegal, not smart
I commend the bravery of those students
who raised their voices against
the “politically correct,” but potentially
illegal graduation requirement for
Unatego High School students to complete
40 hours of community service as
a condition of graduation.
Firstly, under the New York State
Constitution, Article XI, Section 1,
every child in New York is entitled to
free public education, unconditionally.
Secondly, the United States Constitution,
Amendment 13, prohibits involuntary
servitude.
Thus, putting any condition of work
without pay on graduating from a public
school in New York is unconstitutional
under both state and federal
constitutions. Unatego school must
abide by the law, especially if it wants
to instill values of good citizenry into
its students.
Third, nothing kills the joy of helping
more than coercion. Public service
is a very personal matter. Many people
prefer to help without much fanfare or
even anonymously. For many people,
having to write about their voluntary
good deeds is simply an invasion of privacy.
Requiring participation in community
service and reporting about it
as a condition of graduation is thus extremely
counterproductive, as it kills
the desire to do community service.
Last, but not least, Sandra Decker
is correct to state that if the school
requires anything as part of an educational
program, it has to arrange that
program. We are in an area with practically
no public transportation, and
not all families can afford to give their
child an extra vehicle to go to such volunteer
programs.
Thus, in my opinion, in an effort
to encourage all children to participate
in community service, the school
discriminates against its poorest students,
preventing their graduation
simply because their families cannot
afford transportation or because children
cannot afford to volunteer, as
they have to work after school for pay
to help themselves and their families.
Tatiana Neroni
Delhi
4-day school week
good idea for teens
I am writing this letter in response
to Sen. Seward’s efforts to explore a
flexible school week. I believe that
this would be a cost savings, either
resulting in lower school taxes or increased
pay for teachers. Either of
those things would be beneficial. Not
only is it a money-saving issue for buses,
but it also decreases the heating
and electric costs of the school building.
I understand that one of the major
conflicts is that parents would have to
provide day care. I believe that this
would be a problem for elementary
and middle school students, but not
for high school students. Initiating a
four-day school week with high school
students would not only help economically
with decreased spending for a
school district, but it will also allow
the older high school students additional
hours to work.
With all the challenges that lie
ahead economically, this is one area
that can make a difference.
Rebekah Spring
Otego
Spring is a senior at Unatego Junior-
Senior High School. Spring and other
students have written letters to the editor
as part of Kevin DiBartolomeo’s Participation
in Government class.
Mayne had great
impact on many
Great articles dealing with Cpl. Michael
L. Mayne. He was in my buddy’s
platoon and I had the pleasure of serving
with Cpl. Mayne. This individual
was a true professional and an even
better person.
I spoke with him often after a conversation
we had about nine months
ago back in Fairbanks at the Harley-
Davidson dealership. The wife and I
had just purchased a Yamaha V-Star,
and he walked up to me with that smile
of his and said, “Sir, when are you going
to get a real motorcycle?” From
then on we talked about bikes often.
He was a great soldier. I wrote this
short letter to let you know that he had
a great impact on all of us.
1st Lt. Marcus L. Green
Fort Wainwright, Alaska
Banks represented
better than residents
Why is my congressperson representing
the banks, not me?
As a recent home buyer in this area,
I am worried about what I hear coming
out of Washington regarding the
so-called cram-down legislation being
watered down by Democrats in the
House led by Ellen Tauscher.
To whomever is selected in the primaries
next year to replace Ms. Gillibrand,
please know I will be watching
and will vote accordingly.
Isaac Wilson
Hobart
Learn about, vote
for Scott Murphy
Did you ever hire someone for an
important job at an important time?
A resume can tell you a lot — background,
education, job experience,
special skills and personal recommendations.
However, the “in-person”
interview provides a real sense of an
individual.
All of us in the 20th District are
about to hire someone for an important
job _ U.S. representative. Scott Murphy,
the Democratic candidate, came
to Delhi for his “in-person” interview
with constituents. I had read about
his background in the news and on his
website. His resume is top-notch. I’ll
leave that for you to read for yourself.
His commercial accurately shows he is
likeable and refreshingly direct.
What I want to share is my personal
take, which you can’t get from an article
or commercial. Scott Murphy is
impressive. During Q&A; sessions, particularly
when the question is tricky or
controversial, he demonstrates a quick
mind, breadth and depth of knowledge
plus a sound grasp of issues vital to our
country and district. He is comfortable
taking a stand and sharing an opinion.
(This is in stark contrast to his opponent,
who can’t seem to decide what he
thinks about the stimulus bill).
I am convinced that at this challenging
time, Scott Murphy is the person
we need representing us. I urge you to
learn about Murphy and vote for him
in the special election on March 31.
Lisa Tait
New Kingston
Put money toward
valuable projects
While the “stimulus” is a bad idea
whose time is never, why not make the
best of it? Respect for the Constitution
and taxpayers _ what a concept!
Featured on New York’s quarter,
the Erie Canal is truly an accomplishment
of international importance. Reducing
the cost of shipping goods to the
coast by 95 percent, it also led to the
repeal of Britain’s Corn Law, in effect
one of the first free trade agreements,
in 1854. Built at a cost of $7 million, the
canal quickly paid for itself and transformed
the nation into an agricultural
juggernaut and set the stage for this
future superpower.
The Erie was incorporated into
the modern canal system in 1918, and
much of the original canal, especially
between Syracuse and Utica, is now
unused and dangerous. Filled with
stagnant water, the smell in summer
can be overwhelming and it has become
a breeding ground for mosquitoes
and West Nile virus. Unfenced
and open in most areas, it is hazardous
to small children. The time has come
to fill it in.
With federal money paying for contraceptives,
tattoo removal, wood refinishing
and other pork projects, perhaps
some funds could be found for a
truly job-creating measure of immense
public health benefit long neglected,
just don’t bet on it.
Al Gascon
Bainbridge
Letters to the Editor
March 6, 2009
Letters for March 06, 2009
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- Letters to the Editor: May 26, 2012
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- Monday, May 21, 2012
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- Letters to the Editor: May 19, 2012
- Friday, May 18, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 18, 2012
- Thursday, May 17, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 17, 2012
- Wednesday, May 16, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 16, 2012
- Tuesday, May 15, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 15, 2012
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- Letters to the Editor: May 14, 2012
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- Letters to the Editor: May 12, 2012
- Friday, May 11, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 11, 2012
- Thursday, May 10, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 10, 2012
- Wednesday, May 9, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 9, 2012
- Tuesday, May 8, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 8, 2012
- Monday, May 7, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 7, 2012
- Saturday, May 5, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 5, 2012
- Friday, May 4, 2012
- Letters to the Editor: May 4, 2012
