6 • May 12, 2018 | The BG/NC Sun
www.suncommunitynews.com
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
Trust but verify
“Trust but verify” was a term that was coined back in 1986 in a speech given by President Ronald By Dan Alexander Reagan as he was • PUBLISHER • preparing for talks with Mikhail Gorbachev. Now, some 30-plus years later, the practice is plain common sense, not only for world leaders, but also for ordinary people doing everyday tasks. There are so many scams, careless errors, and companies with selfish motives that it serves us all to be on guard, even when dealing with those we have long deemed trustworthy. In the business world, we run into these situations all too often, especially as personnel or ownership changes. While you can understand and forgive an honest mistake, some honest mistakes can find their way into becoming a valuable money maker, especially when the original error has successfully flown under the radar. Which brings us back to Mr. Reagan’s original point to Mr. Gorbachev which was, I have complete trust in everything you tell me so long as I can validate the information as absolutely accurate. That’s where we find ourselves today, in a world that has limited safeguards and transactions taking place across the internet with unknown individuals who may or may not be who or what they pretend to be. Salespeople, politicians and attorneys tend to be the least trusted in our society, but clearly, you should never trust anyone without verification. Coming from an advertising sales organization, I can assure you we love nothing more than being asked to prove our claims. From circulation numbers to sales statistics, we respect your right to make us back up our claims. Any organization or individual that balks at providing proof of their service should become an untrusted source and anyone claiming to be above reproach has shown their true colors. With any transaction, when in doubt ask a trusted friend or family member for a little help. A third, non-interested party, can help to remove you from an awkward situation by providing a short break from the encounter and allow you to walk away from making an error when being pressured. Additionally, no invoice should ever get paid without questioning the details and making sure exactly what you are purchasing. This practice is especially important in larger companies where the person paying the bill is not the person that places the order. Trust but verify is simply a smart practice in all walks of life. ■
Write to us
Sun Community News welcomes letters to the editor, preferably on topics of local interest. Letters should not exceed 300 words, and must be signed and include a telephone number for verification. Letters must be sourced in an effort to ensure claims are factual. Please keep it civil. Letters containing insults and name-calling will be rejected. Candidate endorsement and thank you notices are not accepted unless run as paid advertising. All letters run as space permits. For thank you notices, contact shannonc@suncommunitynews.com
Published by Denton Publications, Inc.
Opinion
suncommunitynews.com/opinions
From the Editorial Board
Where’s the infrastructure bill? Inspiration often comes from unlikely places. Like this week, when our car hit a pothole in downtown Plattsburgh and the check engine light came on. We’ve long said infrastructure isn’t sexy. But our crumbling roadways, bridges, waterways, seaports, sewer lines and public school buildings are facing a crisis. According to the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card released by the American Society for Civil Engineers, America’s infrastructure is rated a D+. The City of Plattsburgh is broke and the rest of our municipalities aren’t exactly swimming in cash. Nationwide, the fi x is projected to cost at least $1.6 trillion above current levels, and crumbling infrastructure costs the economy nearly $200 billion annually, according to a report by U.S. Senate Democrats. We’re not the only ones paying attention. Residents at a town hall in Moriah last month implored Rep. Elise Stefanik to take action, citing their deteriorating surroundings. But Congress continues to do nothing. Stefanik held out hope last month that a federal infrastructure plan from the White House may still be possible. “We have a president that is focused on infrastructure and likes to build things,” she shrugged. President Donald Trump ran on infrastructure. It was one of his most-repeated campaign promises as he careened towards the White House.
Letters
Thank you for Route 30 road repairs
To the Editor: As a lifelong resident of Long Lake, I would like to thank state Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Hamilton County Highway Department for cooperating to repair a dangerous condition on Route 30 without disrupting our lives and commerce other than adding a few extra minutes to travel from Long Lake to Tupper Lake. Originally the Sabattis (with an “a”) Circle Road was the state highway linking Long Lake and Tupper Lake. The telephone lines still go that way. Children of families residing at Whitney Headquarters on Little Tupper Lake were transported to school via school bus. At that same time, log trucks also traveled the Sabattis Road.
Submit letters by email to feedback@suncommunitynews.com Letters can also be sent to our offices: 14 Hand Avenue: P.O. Box 338. Elizabethtown, NY 12932 Letters and guest commentaries do not reflect the editorial opinion of the newspaper and its owners. We’re always looking for guest columnists to offer extended commentaries. Contact pete@suncommunitynews.com to learn more. Endorsement letters for announced political candidates are not accepted and are considered paid endorsements. The paid endorsement notice can be purchased in three sizes — a quick 50 words or less for $15; a 51-175 word endorsement for $ 50 or a 176-300 word endorsement for $75.
But 16 months into his term, “Infrastructure Week” has become a punchline in Washington, where his administration teeters from scandal to scandal and Republicans have a thin record of accomplishments despite controlling Congress and the White House: No immigration bill, no updated health care plan, no infrastructure fi x. Trump in February called for spending $200 billion in federal money to leverage some $1.5 trillion from all levels of government and the private sector over 10 years. The details didn’t strike us as particularly salivating, largely due to its reliance on tax credits and other unspecified incentives to private investors. But nonetheless, it was something. Congress, however, appeared to quickly lose its appetite. Lawmakers kicked the can down the road by raising spending on infrastructure by more than $10 billion as part of the 2018 omnibus bill, but sprinkling it throughout different funding streams. We’ve drawn attention to this issue as recently as last summer, but it bears repeating now that construction season is again underway. Nearly every Adirondack town is in the process of tackling large-scale water and sewer projects, but we don’t have the population base to bankroll projects through user fees and tax hikes. And that’s to say nothing of state and federal-owned infrastructure. While the state has been a champ at providing grant funding — including the governor’s initiative which has funded critical upgrades at Plattsburgh International Airport
The drivers of 18-wheelers are professionals and probably the safest drivers on the road. There is no more wildlife on the Sabattis Road than on Route 30. They are probably safer due to the lower speed limit. There are no more wet lands on the Sabattis Road, compared to Route 30, so wildlife will not be impacted because of the detour. The birds will be able to mate. My wife commuted daily for 40 years to Tupper Lake and would not have minded the inconvenience of the detour other than leaving a little earlier for work. I realize there may be some damage to the Sabattis Road from the heavy vehicles due to frost coming out of the road. I am sure that was taken under consideration and repairs will be made. They have chosen the optimum time to complete this project before increased traffic in the summer. Kudos to Acting DOT Commissioner Peter Karas, Regional
A paid advertisement will be based on standard advertising rates taking into consideration size and frequency according to the current rate card at the open advertising rate. For rates, call Ashley at (518) 873-6368 x105 or email ashley@suncommunitynews.com Calendar of event entries are reserved for local charitable organizations, and events are restricted to name, time, place, price and contact information. For-profit organization events will be run with a paid advertisement. Bulletin board For-profit for 4 lines (75¢ additional lines) 1 week $9 , 3 weeks $15, 52 weeks $20/month. Not-for-profit for 4 lines (.50¢ additorial lines) 1 week $5, 3 weeks $10, 52 weeks $15/month. Advertising policies: Sun Community News & Printing, published by Denton Publications, Inc. disclaims all legal responsibility for errors
— the federal government has been largely absent as a willing partner. The push appears to be dead in the water as lawmakers pivot to this fall’s midterm elections. Trump said as much at a recent Ohio rally, and blamed Democrats for not working with him. It’s political brinkmanship at its most typical: Politicians spin and the public loses. A long-term infrastructure fi x will be costly, but Congress should find the mettle to make it happen. Yes, Stefanik has proven to be apt at steering funds to the district in one-off packages — a cool $500,000 to the Town of Plattsburgh through the Regional Northern Border Commission comes to mind — but we think she should use her clout with House leadership to do more. No one likes raising taxes or fees, but we can think of a half-dozen ideas now to generate revenue — including ideas mentioned by Senate Democrats in their report, including closing tax loopholes. Others revenue-raisers are more unpalatable, including a proposed increase in the federal gas tax, which we think North Country residents are ill-equipped to shoulder. Infrastructure is an issue tied directly to the economic development of our region, and should be prioritized by Congress. Doing so could be a tangible legacy that Congress and the White House, in particular, can do more than simply perpetuate their own existence at the expense of the working class people of this country. — The Sun Editorial Board ■
DOT Director Nicholas Choubah and Hamilton County Highway Superintendent for their development and implementation of this well thought out plan. Bob Dechene, Long Lake ■
then most of those demanding the Second Amendment repeal and confiscation of all guns. Also, now that you are admitting to being a gun owner, be prepared to be assaulted and accused of being responsible for all deaths with guns. You will be charged with having blood on your hands, not caring about children, and even being a murderer. These are some of the charges being laid at the feet of law-abiding NRA members. All four million of them. So far as protection against intruders and other threats, you won’t find these stories in the mainstream newspapers. A recent study found that the use, or threat of use of a gun, has been used over two million times in the last couple of years to protect oneself against assault. Every month, the NRA magazines have verifiable reports where people have protected themselves or others with a gun. It does happen! Edward Binder, Athol ■
Guns are used for protection against intruders
To the Editor: Thank you to Mr. Mount for reading and responding to my letter to the editor. You didn’t mention the lack of response from authorities in the school shootings. Why not? Now that you have said you are a gun owner, and I hope an NRA member, you must know the different actions between a high power automatic assault rifle and a semiautomatic, lower power civilian rifle, as well as a bolt action rifle. If you do, then you are much better educated on the subject
or omissions or typographic errors. All reasonable care is taken to prevent such errors. We will gladly correct any errors if notification is received within 48 hours of any such error. We are not responsible for photos, which will only be returned if you enclose a self-addressed envelope. Subscription rates: Local Zone $29.00 annual subscription mailed to zip codes beginning in 128 or 129. Annual Standard Mail delivery $47 annual mailed outside the 128 or 129 Local Zone. First Class Mail Subscription (sent in sealed envelope) $50 for 3 months/$85 for 6 months/$150 for an annual. $47 Annual, First Class Mail (sent in sealed envelope) $50 for 3 months / $85 for 6 months / $150 for an annual. Address corrections: Send address changes in care of this paper to P.O. Box 338, Elizabethtown, New York 12932.
THESUN COMMUN
I TY
NEWS
&
P ~ INT
ING
This free community newspaper exists to serve the informational needs of the community and to stimulate a robust local economy. No press release, brief or calendar item can be guaranteed for placement in the paper nor run in multiple weeks unless it is a paid announcement. All free placement is on a space-available basis.
Publisher .......................................................Daniel E. Alexander Associate Publisher........................................................Ed Coats Operations Manager ...........................................William Coats General Manager Central ..............Daniel E. Alexander Jr. Managing Editor ...................................................... Pete DeMola General Manager North............................Ashley Alexander General Manager South ............................Scarlette Merfled CFO / HR Director .........................................Maureen Lindsay
www.suncommunitynews.com Facebook: @suncommunitynews Twitter: @suncmtynews
©Copyright: This publication and its entire contents are copyrighted by Denton Publications, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written consent. All rights reserved.