By Emmalie Vance
There was much dispute at the Common Council meeting in Plattsburgh on Nov. 19 on the subject of water fluoridation and whether or not the city should continue to fluoridate the public water. The final vote was four to two in favor of continued fluoridation, but not before several community and council members spoke their mind.
Upon entering the auditorium where the meeting was to take place, there were several handouts about fluoride that were available. There was a fact sheet about fluoride written by Tony Besthoff, chemical engineer at Feasy & Besthoff, Plattsburgh’s fluoride provider, and three others from the CDC covering the benefits, cost savings and positive national trend of fluoridation. There were no documents stating any negatives.
Ward I councilman Tim Carpenter, one of the four who voted in favor of continued fluoridation made his decision after turning to the Department of Health for their recommendation.
“We [the council] all personally did a lot of research but in the end, the stuff I looked at was so technical and I’m not a chemist or a doctor,” Carpenter said. “When something like this comes up, there’s always a board of experts we the council can ask. They said they’d done tons and tons of studies and that they believe the water should have fluoride in it.”
Ward IV Councilman James Calnon took the same approach and turned to the experts for help.
“This is a health and science issue,” Calnon said. “There are exhaustive studies at the national level. Some of them are old but these are the folks with the skill and the charge with protecting out dental heath and I’m trusting in them to protect it diligently.”
According to the CDC, “Water fluoridation is a low-cost way to bring the benefits of fluoride to all residents of the community.”
More quick facts from the CDC state that 70 percent of citizens in the U.S. who get their water from the public system have fluoridated water; fluoride is a natural occurrence in water but fluoridating water means adding more fluoride to reach the “best” or “optimal” level; fluoridation was started in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Mich., and has been used ever since; fluoride is proven to stop or even reverse tooth decay and fluoride dietary supplements and over-the-counter dental products such as toothpaste and mouth wash work in the same way as fluoride-supplemented water.
On the other side of the discussion stood Doug Butdorf of 64 Trafalgar Dr. who said, “I don’t have strong feelings for fluoridation. Many other municipalities have voted to take [fluoride] out and I think we should follow suit.”
Anthropologist Dr. Richard Robbins was also against fluoridation and prepared a speech, which he presented to the council.
Robbins said that fluoride is known to be a toxic chemical and the point at which it becomes harmful is still unknown. He also recognized the fact that it has been proven to help avoid tooth decay in malnourished populations but points out that if a person is not malnourished and brushes their teeth regularly, they would get all the fluoride they need.
“The question is not whether the product or the dosage meets government standards; it’s whether the government standards, as they have been in the past, are based on too little research and on faulty assumptions,” Robbins said.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Despite economy, people still skiing
By Kevin Stump
“Gore is on a tremendous growth curve and has been undergoing significant changes over the last several season,” said Emily Stanton, marketing director at Gore Mountain Resort. Both Gore Mountain and Whiteface Ski Resort are state operated said Stanton.
“I feel people are getting a better deal than last year because of how much the mountain has improved,” said Stanton.
“Even though the economy is not ideal, I am still going to go [skiing], the gas card is just a plus,” said Kerry Mowbray, SUNY Plattsburgh student. For Whiteface and Gore Mountain, students pay the same $ 260 as last year but the first 100 to sign up get a $ 25 gas card.
“Myself and three of my friends all signed up early to get the $ 25 gas card, so we have $ 100 dollars in gas collectively to go skiing,” said Tyler Havercamp, SUNY Plattsburgh student.
Gore Mountain has held the majority of their prices, even though they have expanded their services from last year.
Gore season passes for an adult are $ 799 thru November 13th and $ 959 November 14th and on. For one full weekday of skiing, it costs $ 64 for an adult and for a weekend day it costs $ 71 for an adult. To rent skies for one day costs $ 40 for an adult.
For a couple to ski, with rentals, at Gore Mountain Resort for a weekend before considering the cost of two nights at a hotel with food and other expenses costs $ 222.
“Adult, senior and student prices have gone up,” said Christian Deladruere, Jay Peak sales representative.
“We are offering the same promotions as last year and our season pass sales have actually gone up since last year,” said Deladruere.
Jay Peak season passes are $ 599 for an adult until October 19th and are $699 after. For one full day of skiing, it costs $ 67 and for a half it costs $ 49.
For a couple to ski, with rentals, at Jay Peak for a weekend before considering the cost of two nights at a hotel with food and other expenses costs $ 214.
For both Gore, Whiteface, and Jay Peak someone with a season pass must go skiing at least 10 times a season.
“We do four day trips and one weekend trips through the Student Association Activities Coordination Board (ACB) Trips committee,” said Melanie Wyand, Student Association secretary. The day trips are $ 25-30 round trip including transportation and lift ticket.
“Luckily our budget [for the Student Association] is totally separate from the colleges, so we can still put these trips together,” said Wyand.
“If we had to pay the full season pass prices we would not have been able to afford it. Thankfully, Gore and Whiteface appreciate how broke students are,” said Mowbray.
“Gore is on a tremendous growth curve and has been undergoing significant changes over the last several season,” said Emily Stanton, marketing director at Gore Mountain Resort. Both Gore Mountain and Whiteface Ski Resort are state operated said Stanton.
“I feel people are getting a better deal than last year because of how much the mountain has improved,” said Stanton.
“Even though the economy is not ideal, I am still going to go [skiing], the gas card is just a plus,” said Kerry Mowbray, SUNY Plattsburgh student. For Whiteface and Gore Mountain, students pay the same $ 260 as last year but the first 100 to sign up get a $ 25 gas card.
“Myself and three of my friends all signed up early to get the $ 25 gas card, so we have $ 100 dollars in gas collectively to go skiing,” said Tyler Havercamp, SUNY Plattsburgh student.
Gore Mountain has held the majority of their prices, even though they have expanded their services from last year.
Gore season passes for an adult are $ 799 thru November 13th and $ 959 November 14th and on. For one full weekday of skiing, it costs $ 64 for an adult and for a weekend day it costs $ 71 for an adult. To rent skies for one day costs $ 40 for an adult.
For a couple to ski, with rentals, at Gore Mountain Resort for a weekend before considering the cost of two nights at a hotel with food and other expenses costs $ 222.
“Adult, senior and student prices have gone up,” said Christian Deladruere, Jay Peak sales representative.
“We are offering the same promotions as last year and our season pass sales have actually gone up since last year,” said Deladruere.
Jay Peak season passes are $ 599 for an adult until October 19th and are $699 after. For one full day of skiing, it costs $ 67 and for a half it costs $ 49.
For a couple to ski, with rentals, at Jay Peak for a weekend before considering the cost of two nights at a hotel with food and other expenses costs $ 214.
For both Gore, Whiteface, and Jay Peak someone with a season pass must go skiing at least 10 times a season.
“We do four day trips and one weekend trips through the Student Association Activities Coordination Board (ACB) Trips committee,” said Melanie Wyand, Student Association secretary. The day trips are $ 25-30 round trip including transportation and lift ticket.
“Luckily our budget [for the Student Association] is totally separate from the colleges, so we can still put these trips together,” said Wyand.
“If we had to pay the full season pass prices we would not have been able to afford it. Thankfully, Gore and Whiteface appreciate how broke students are,” said Mowbray.
Fluoride in drinking water controversial
ByAurora O’Geen
The Plattsburgh town council recently held a meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2008. The meeting focused on the issue of water fluoridation in the town of Plattsburgh. Arguments arose from both sides, for and against water fluoridation. It seems very few young people are aware of what water fluoridation entails; whether it be positive or negative.
First off, there are some major factors to consider about water fluoridation, there are both health benefits and risks involved. The Center for Disease Control provided information surrounding the benefits of fluoride use. For example, it is said that fluoride works by stopping and even reversing the decay process- specifically working to keep tooth enamel strong and solid. It is also said that nearly all tooth decay can be prevented when fluoride is combined with dental sealants and other fluoride products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
SUNY Plattsburgh student and North Country resident, Shanelle Loffler, says she was surprised to find out just how beneficial fluoride can be. “I think it’s great that such benefits can come from fluoride. Having fluoride available to everyone in the community is also a great way to prevent tooth decay for those who couldn’t normally afford proper dental care.”
Plattsburgh State nursing student and North Country resident Ashley Holmes agrees with Loffler saying, “The fact that fluoride is available to us is a real benefit for those who lack proper dental care, if we are able to provide fluoride and its benefits to everyone in the community, why would we stop?”
Dental hygienist Laurie Chase agrees that the benefits of fluoride are apparent. “Fluoride use holds benefits for both children and adults. It’s an extra step that helps prevent tooth decay and shows significant results overtime. Everyone should take the necessary precautions in caring for their teeth and fluoride is an easy way to protect against decay.”
With such compelling benefits, using fluoride in the water seems like an obvious choice. However, there are downfalls to using fluoride that were also mentioned during Thursday’s meeting. Many people believe that when ingested, fluoride bears no benefits for users.
Plattsburgh resident Jessica Easton believes fluoride should be optional, “There are health risks with anything, and people should be able to choose whether or not they want to subject themselves to fluoride. It does seem to have benefits, but there should be options for those weary of ingesting so much fluoride.”
The area of Long Island New York is said to have a water system that is fluoride free. Long Island resident and SUNY Plattsburgh student Amanda Csajko says, “Although fluoride wasn’t offered in our water, I’ve had no serious consequences concerning my dental health. I’ve used dental products containing fluoride for years and have had no problems.”
Although Chase agrees there are benefits of fluoride use she recognizes why people may be weary of consuming the fluoride itself. Chase notes that there are healthy alternatives for those living without fluoridated water. “Many times fluoride is offered in schools as a mouthwash for those children in need of adequate dental care. There are a range of products available today for those who need extra fluoride to protect against decay.”
As for those living without water fluoridation, it seems there is no need for alarm. As long as proper dental care continues, tooth decay can be prevented. The benefits and downfalls of fluoride will continue to be a topic of debate for many people. As for now the residents of Plattsburgh have decided to continue with the fluoridation of the water system.
The Plattsburgh town council recently held a meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2008. The meeting focused on the issue of water fluoridation in the town of Plattsburgh. Arguments arose from both sides, for and against water fluoridation. It seems very few young people are aware of what water fluoridation entails; whether it be positive or negative.
First off, there are some major factors to consider about water fluoridation, there are both health benefits and risks involved. The Center for Disease Control provided information surrounding the benefits of fluoride use. For example, it is said that fluoride works by stopping and even reversing the decay process- specifically working to keep tooth enamel strong and solid. It is also said that nearly all tooth decay can be prevented when fluoride is combined with dental sealants and other fluoride products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
SUNY Plattsburgh student and North Country resident, Shanelle Loffler, says she was surprised to find out just how beneficial fluoride can be. “I think it’s great that such benefits can come from fluoride. Having fluoride available to everyone in the community is also a great way to prevent tooth decay for those who couldn’t normally afford proper dental care.”
Plattsburgh State nursing student and North Country resident Ashley Holmes agrees with Loffler saying, “The fact that fluoride is available to us is a real benefit for those who lack proper dental care, if we are able to provide fluoride and its benefits to everyone in the community, why would we stop?”
Dental hygienist Laurie Chase agrees that the benefits of fluoride are apparent. “Fluoride use holds benefits for both children and adults. It’s an extra step that helps prevent tooth decay and shows significant results overtime. Everyone should take the necessary precautions in caring for their teeth and fluoride is an easy way to protect against decay.”
With such compelling benefits, using fluoride in the water seems like an obvious choice. However, there are downfalls to using fluoride that were also mentioned during Thursday’s meeting. Many people believe that when ingested, fluoride bears no benefits for users.
Plattsburgh resident Jessica Easton believes fluoride should be optional, “There are health risks with anything, and people should be able to choose whether or not they want to subject themselves to fluoride. It does seem to have benefits, but there should be options for those weary of ingesting so much fluoride.”
The area of Long Island New York is said to have a water system that is fluoride free. Long Island resident and SUNY Plattsburgh student Amanda Csajko says, “Although fluoride wasn’t offered in our water, I’ve had no serious consequences concerning my dental health. I’ve used dental products containing fluoride for years and have had no problems.”
Although Chase agrees there are benefits of fluoride use she recognizes why people may be weary of consuming the fluoride itself. Chase notes that there are healthy alternatives for those living without fluoridated water. “Many times fluoride is offered in schools as a mouthwash for those children in need of adequate dental care. There are a range of products available today for those who need extra fluoride to protect against decay.”
As for those living without water fluoridation, it seems there is no need for alarm. As long as proper dental care continues, tooth decay can be prevented. The benefits and downfalls of fluoride will continue to be a topic of debate for many people. As for now the residents of Plattsburgh have decided to continue with the fluoridation of the water system.
Rouses Point train station getting face lift
By Cassandra Morrissey
Money is tight everywhere. The current economy is leaving both small businesses and private investors struggling to find cash anywhere possible. Businesses are closing their doors to prevent bankruptcy, construction is being put on hold because there’s minimal funding, and towns are prioritizing projects to help save money. Although the number of construction jobs fell more then 10 percent across the country last year, the village of Rouses Point has a unique structure that is creating both jobs and town appeal.
The Rouse Point train station is about to get a face lift. The station, which was originally built in 1889 by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, currently serves as a stop for passengers travelling from Montreal to New York. The station was originally scheduled to be torn down in the mid 1990’s, but was eventually bought by the village of Rouses Point, with high hopes of fixing the building. Melissa McManus, Rouses Point revitalization and project manger noticed the uneasiness of the town concerning the station.
“It was so frustrating for us to watch that building slowly fall apart. We all knew that we wanted to do something to preserve the station and history, but we knew the first thing we needed was money,” McManus said.
Although, as with many town projects, money was initially hard to come by. The majority of repairs to the building consisted of replacing the roof and support structure would cost between 100-150 thousand dollars.
“The historical society tried for several years to get money. We did everything we could think of; fundraising, applying to the state, and nothing was working,” McManus said.
This situation changed beginning of 2009. Rouses Point received over 830 thousand dollars in grant money for the train station. The main source of the money came from the Transportation Enhancement Program and the American Relief and Recovery Act.
The transportation program currently is helping communities with the cost of transportation projects. Projects range from bike trails to sidewalks. The American Relief and Recovery Act is an economic stimulus package to help promote building, infrastructure, and domestic spending.
With the new grant money, the village has many options for the future usage of the train station. Rouses Point village historian Donna Racine hopes the historic aspect is the main factor of the revitalized building.
“It’s going to hopefully be geared towards a museum, with village archives and artifacts. So many people’s lives involved a part of the station, and that part should be preserved,” Racine said.
Courtney Demarasis is also from the area, and the station has always been a part of her life.
“I remember when I was young; I always walked by the station. The fact they are fixing it up will help the area and community’s morale,” Demarasis said.
Racine and Demarasis are not the only Rouses Point natives with high hopes for the future of the station. Benjamin Arno, a line man who has lived in the area since 1953 grew up with the station.
“The train station is a symbol of Rouses Point, and it brings back memories for so many people. When it gets fixed up, whatever they end up doing with it, it will be really nice,” Arno said.
Not only will the train station project bring back memories for people, its bringing jobs and money to the village. According to McManus, the project will create construction and engineering jobs, bring in design firms, and allow local people to have a hand in volunteering towards the end product. The station, which Amtrak currently runs through, will also encourage more tourists to visit the area.
Rouses Point Mayor George Rivers thinks one of the best parts of the finished station will be the effect it has on the village.
“When people come to Rouses Point, they see a station that’s slowly deteriorating. But this project will completely change that. People will see a beautiful building, and want to come back and spend time here. It’s a win-win situation for the village,” Rivers said.
A recent village meeting featured the next steps the town is taking in the stations revitalization process. Although construction on the building is not expected to begin until 2011, one main thought was present throughout the meeting; excitement.
“This is a beautiful building, and it’s going to be saved. Instead of sitting and deteriorating, it will be the center for the history of the village, a place where families and visitors can go. I can’t wait,” McManus said.
Money is tight everywhere. The current economy is leaving both small businesses and private investors struggling to find cash anywhere possible. Businesses are closing their doors to prevent bankruptcy, construction is being put on hold because there’s minimal funding, and towns are prioritizing projects to help save money. Although the number of construction jobs fell more then 10 percent across the country last year, the village of Rouses Point has a unique structure that is creating both jobs and town appeal.
The Rouse Point train station is about to get a face lift. The station, which was originally built in 1889 by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company, currently serves as a stop for passengers travelling from Montreal to New York. The station was originally scheduled to be torn down in the mid 1990’s, but was eventually bought by the village of Rouses Point, with high hopes of fixing the building. Melissa McManus, Rouses Point revitalization and project manger noticed the uneasiness of the town concerning the station.
“It was so frustrating for us to watch that building slowly fall apart. We all knew that we wanted to do something to preserve the station and history, but we knew the first thing we needed was money,” McManus said.
Although, as with many town projects, money was initially hard to come by. The majority of repairs to the building consisted of replacing the roof and support structure would cost between 100-150 thousand dollars.
“The historical society tried for several years to get money. We did everything we could think of; fundraising, applying to the state, and nothing was working,” McManus said.
This situation changed beginning of 2009. Rouses Point received over 830 thousand dollars in grant money for the train station. The main source of the money came from the Transportation Enhancement Program and the American Relief and Recovery Act.
The transportation program currently is helping communities with the cost of transportation projects. Projects range from bike trails to sidewalks. The American Relief and Recovery Act is an economic stimulus package to help promote building, infrastructure, and domestic spending.
With the new grant money, the village has many options for the future usage of the train station. Rouses Point village historian Donna Racine hopes the historic aspect is the main factor of the revitalized building.
“It’s going to hopefully be geared towards a museum, with village archives and artifacts. So many people’s lives involved a part of the station, and that part should be preserved,” Racine said.
Courtney Demarasis is also from the area, and the station has always been a part of her life.
“I remember when I was young; I always walked by the station. The fact they are fixing it up will help the area and community’s morale,” Demarasis said.
Racine and Demarasis are not the only Rouses Point natives with high hopes for the future of the station. Benjamin Arno, a line man who has lived in the area since 1953 grew up with the station.
“The train station is a symbol of Rouses Point, and it brings back memories for so many people. When it gets fixed up, whatever they end up doing with it, it will be really nice,” Arno said.
Not only will the train station project bring back memories for people, its bringing jobs and money to the village. According to McManus, the project will create construction and engineering jobs, bring in design firms, and allow local people to have a hand in volunteering towards the end product. The station, which Amtrak currently runs through, will also encourage more tourists to visit the area.
Rouses Point Mayor George Rivers thinks one of the best parts of the finished station will be the effect it has on the village.
“When people come to Rouses Point, they see a station that’s slowly deteriorating. But this project will completely change that. People will see a beautiful building, and want to come back and spend time here. It’s a win-win situation for the village,” Rivers said.
A recent village meeting featured the next steps the town is taking in the stations revitalization process. Although construction on the building is not expected to begin until 2011, one main thought was present throughout the meeting; excitement.
“This is a beautiful building, and it’s going to be saved. Instead of sitting and deteriorating, it will be the center for the history of the village, a place where families and visitors can go. I can’t wait,” McManus said.
Wal-mart sells appalling items online
By Zachery Lashway
In late October the world’s largest retailer made its presence in a much unexpected market.
Wal-Mart has decided to keep its customers even after they die by selling caskets and urns on its Web site.
“Caskets just aren’t Wal-Mart’s specialty. I feel Wal-Mart is just trying to get more money. They are trying to get their hands in as many markets as they can,” says Kyle Brassard a 21 year old college student.
Much to peoples surprise Wal-Mart is not the only department store selling caskets on its site. Costco, Wal-Mart’s discount competitor was the first department store to furnish its website with the end-of-life items.
Wal-Mart’s caskets range from $895 to $2899 and come in 14 different models. There are 19 different models of urns and the prices range from $94.05 to $214.05. Wal-Mart guarantees shipment to the customer within 48 hours of purchase.
Bert Wilcox, the Funeral Director and owner of Chateaugay Funeral Home, says he learned of Wal-Mart’s big move to sell caskets through a casket salesman in late October via E-mail.
“Its fine with me, it’s whatever the family wants, if they want to buy their casket from Wal-Mart they are entitled to do so. I do think it could eventually take a toll on funeral homes with their sales of caskets,” says Wilcox.
It’s federal law for funeral homes to accept third-party caskets, so whether customers buy their caskets from Wal-Mart, Costco or decide to make them themselves, funeral homes are obligated to accept them.
Although Wal-Mart claims to sell caskets at prices that undercut many funeral homes they are still quite comparable to Wilcox’s prices. Matter of fact, Wilcox’s most inexpensive casket is cheaper than Wal-Mart’s cheapest casket.
“My caskets start at $850 and can range in price up to $6900. I don’t carry very expensive caskets because our area generally doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on funerals,” says Wilcox.
“I feel I could get better quality, variety and service from an actual funeral home. Funeral homes have more experience. You can get a hands-on-feeling on where your money is going when you deal with a funeral home,” says Brassard.
Beverly Gillette, a retired senior citizen who has not yet made her funeral arrangements, feels Wal-Mart and other department stores selling caskets are overstepping their boundaries.
“Wal-Mart is not a place for caskets to be sold. Wal-Mart is not in the business to sell caskets. They don’t have the knowledge in the casket industry,” says Gillette.
Gillette who plans to be cremated says she wouldn’t consider buying an urn from Wal-Mart or a casket for that matter.
“They don’t have the knowledge about caskets, knowing them, the material or the life expectancy of the product. I just don’t think they have the knowledge a customer needs,” says Gillette.
Trevor Rabideau, a funeral director at Walker’s Funeral Home believes funeral homes serving larger areas with bigger populations will be more affected by Wal-Mart’s decision to sell caskets.
Rabideau says our area probably won’t experience the impact of Wal-Mart selling caskets for at least another five to 10 years from now. He says he would extend it that long because of the area.
“Our area is just starting to experience the influx of people who want to be cremated. It was five to 10 years ago the larger areas with bigger populations experienced the influx of people wanting to be cremated and it’s just making it to the North Country. But when the trend does make it up here we will deal with it,” says Rabideau.
“Our area is very traditional. People want to see the casket, touch it, feel it and see what they are buying. But there are things a customer can’t change when they purchase a casket from Wal-Mart, things like color and material, what you see is what you get and when the time comes they screw up an order it’s no skin off Wal-Mart’s back. To them it’s just another purchase. But eventually it will change the way people purchase caskets and urns,” says Rabideau.
Rabideau believes Wal-Mart decided to sell caskets because there is such a competition with every item on the market and they wanted to be a part of it.
“Wal-Mart wanted to touch on a market that hasn’t been touched on before, another avenue to make money,” says Rabideau.
Freda Whitfield, an 81 year old retired nurse already has her funeral arrangements paid for. She says even if she didn’t have them made she still wouldn’t turn to Wal-Mart for a casket.
“I feel Wal-Mart is underselling to the point they’re putting some businesses out of business,” says Whitfield. “Furthermore because this option is very new to customers, I don’t think it will affect this area too much. The customers in this area will prefer to go through funeral homes of choice to purchase their caskets or urns.”
When a customer searches for the right casket with the right price Wal-Mart gives the customer another option. However, there is one big thing Wal-Mart and other department stores can’t offer customers when they purchase a casket or an urn.
“One thing they can’t sell is our service. The service will never be taken from us. Service is one thing they cannot provide to people,” says Rabideau.
In late October the world’s largest retailer made its presence in a much unexpected market.
Wal-Mart has decided to keep its customers even after they die by selling caskets and urns on its Web site.
“Caskets just aren’t Wal-Mart’s specialty. I feel Wal-Mart is just trying to get more money. They are trying to get their hands in as many markets as they can,” says Kyle Brassard a 21 year old college student.
Much to peoples surprise Wal-Mart is not the only department store selling caskets on its site. Costco, Wal-Mart’s discount competitor was the first department store to furnish its website with the end-of-life items.
Wal-Mart’s caskets range from $895 to $2899 and come in 14 different models. There are 19 different models of urns and the prices range from $94.05 to $214.05. Wal-Mart guarantees shipment to the customer within 48 hours of purchase.
Bert Wilcox, the Funeral Director and owner of Chateaugay Funeral Home, says he learned of Wal-Mart’s big move to sell caskets through a casket salesman in late October via E-mail.
“Its fine with me, it’s whatever the family wants, if they want to buy their casket from Wal-Mart they are entitled to do so. I do think it could eventually take a toll on funeral homes with their sales of caskets,” says Wilcox.
It’s federal law for funeral homes to accept third-party caskets, so whether customers buy their caskets from Wal-Mart, Costco or decide to make them themselves, funeral homes are obligated to accept them.
Although Wal-Mart claims to sell caskets at prices that undercut many funeral homes they are still quite comparable to Wilcox’s prices. Matter of fact, Wilcox’s most inexpensive casket is cheaper than Wal-Mart’s cheapest casket.
“My caskets start at $850 and can range in price up to $6900. I don’t carry very expensive caskets because our area generally doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on funerals,” says Wilcox.
“I feel I could get better quality, variety and service from an actual funeral home. Funeral homes have more experience. You can get a hands-on-feeling on where your money is going when you deal with a funeral home,” says Brassard.
Beverly Gillette, a retired senior citizen who has not yet made her funeral arrangements, feels Wal-Mart and other department stores selling caskets are overstepping their boundaries.
“Wal-Mart is not a place for caskets to be sold. Wal-Mart is not in the business to sell caskets. They don’t have the knowledge in the casket industry,” says Gillette.
Gillette who plans to be cremated says she wouldn’t consider buying an urn from Wal-Mart or a casket for that matter.
“They don’t have the knowledge about caskets, knowing them, the material or the life expectancy of the product. I just don’t think they have the knowledge a customer needs,” says Gillette.
Trevor Rabideau, a funeral director at Walker’s Funeral Home believes funeral homes serving larger areas with bigger populations will be more affected by Wal-Mart’s decision to sell caskets.
Rabideau says our area probably won’t experience the impact of Wal-Mart selling caskets for at least another five to 10 years from now. He says he would extend it that long because of the area.
“Our area is just starting to experience the influx of people who want to be cremated. It was five to 10 years ago the larger areas with bigger populations experienced the influx of people wanting to be cremated and it’s just making it to the North Country. But when the trend does make it up here we will deal with it,” says Rabideau.
“Our area is very traditional. People want to see the casket, touch it, feel it and see what they are buying. But there are things a customer can’t change when they purchase a casket from Wal-Mart, things like color and material, what you see is what you get and when the time comes they screw up an order it’s no skin off Wal-Mart’s back. To them it’s just another purchase. But eventually it will change the way people purchase caskets and urns,” says Rabideau.
Rabideau believes Wal-Mart decided to sell caskets because there is such a competition with every item on the market and they wanted to be a part of it.
“Wal-Mart wanted to touch on a market that hasn’t been touched on before, another avenue to make money,” says Rabideau.
Freda Whitfield, an 81 year old retired nurse already has her funeral arrangements paid for. She says even if she didn’t have them made she still wouldn’t turn to Wal-Mart for a casket.
“I feel Wal-Mart is underselling to the point they’re putting some businesses out of business,” says Whitfield. “Furthermore because this option is very new to customers, I don’t think it will affect this area too much. The customers in this area will prefer to go through funeral homes of choice to purchase their caskets or urns.”
When a customer searches for the right casket with the right price Wal-Mart gives the customer another option. However, there is one big thing Wal-Mart and other department stores can’t offer customers when they purchase a casket or an urn.
“One thing they can’t sell is our service. The service will never be taken from us. Service is one thing they cannot provide to people,” says Rabideau.
Venues close but music keeps playing
By Mathias Kamin
Jay Ornsby, works at the Koffee Kat on Margret Street in Plattsburgh. He used to run a “punk house” in Morrisonville. Sharing a driveway with an old scrap metal yard, 946 Mason Street held the “Garage of Death”, an all age’s venue where local and international bands could come and showcase their art. They hailed from France, Japan, Canada and Plattsburgh high school. The spot held illegal shows that were supported by donations and word of mouth. The house held about 4 shows a month, for about 5 years, from 2000 to 2005.
“We provided a safe environment for people to come listen to music.” Ornsby said. The “Krak house” as it was called by some friends after Jay Krak, who would book many of the bands, had to shut down. The scrap yard and house were bought by the company Earth Works, and the new owners weren’t so please about the venue.
56 Elm Street used to be the home of the Koinonia center, a collaborative community space where musicians, artist and art lovers could come together. There mission statement read as such.
The “Koinonia Center exists to provide a drug- and alcohol-free art space, music space and community center to the residents of Plattsburgh, New York. We offer artists and musicians a place to display their art. Our aim is to simply give back to a community which has given us so much with ideals centered in fellowship, friendship and positivity.”
According to Koinonia’s Myspace page all shows are canceled until further notice.
The gap created by these closings has left space for other areas for music to open up. The Plattsburgh Music and Arts Center, located at 29 Clinton Street, is a place where “bands or individuals can come and practice fairly cheaply.” Said Jamse Ward, bass player for the local band Eat Sleep Funk, partner and co-founder or the PMAC.
It cost 10 dollars per hour for a band to use the space and practice at ‘gig volume and only 5 dollars an hour for an individual. Lessons in bass, drums, keyboard guitar and voice are also offered at the PMAC for a similar fee. “It is the cheap alternative to lessons at the college or elsewhere” said Ward.
The PMAC has been open for a year this past December and although it is not a music venue it is a place where a sense of music community has formed. The PMAC was started by Jamse Ward, Shawn Parrote and Bill Bougill.
Of course there are always those places that have permits to hold music, and these are the ones where a music lover doesn’t have to ask about. The Koffee Kat a small but colorful café on Margret Street in Plattsburgh has music nearly every Saturday night from 8-10. The Monopole, a tavern is hidden away on an alley off of Margaret, offers live music every Wednesday through Saturday. Irises Café and Wine Bar at 22 City Hall place, has acoustic music every Thursday night with live bands on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Coffee Camp also on Margaret St has been trying to have music every week for its patrons.
“It has been hit or miss for the past 8 years”, says Bevan Brady son of the owner of the Coffee Camp. “We lean towards jazz and blues music, but we allow a drum kit, and have been having more punk shows.” Brady believes that the reason he has seen more punk bands ask to play might have something to do with the fact that there are very few venues for that style of music around the area. He welcomes anyone with musical talent to come and ask for a spot on the calendar.
Jay Ornsby, works at the Koffee Kat on Margret Street in Plattsburgh. He used to run a “punk house” in Morrisonville. Sharing a driveway with an old scrap metal yard, 946 Mason Street held the “Garage of Death”, an all age’s venue where local and international bands could come and showcase their art. They hailed from France, Japan, Canada and Plattsburgh high school. The spot held illegal shows that were supported by donations and word of mouth. The house held about 4 shows a month, for about 5 years, from 2000 to 2005.
“We provided a safe environment for people to come listen to music.” Ornsby said. The “Krak house” as it was called by some friends after Jay Krak, who would book many of the bands, had to shut down. The scrap yard and house were bought by the company Earth Works, and the new owners weren’t so please about the venue.
56 Elm Street used to be the home of the Koinonia center, a collaborative community space where musicians, artist and art lovers could come together. There mission statement read as such.
The “Koinonia Center exists to provide a drug- and alcohol-free art space, music space and community center to the residents of Plattsburgh, New York. We offer artists and musicians a place to display their art. Our aim is to simply give back to a community which has given us so much with ideals centered in fellowship, friendship and positivity.”
According to Koinonia’s Myspace page all shows are canceled until further notice.
The gap created by these closings has left space for other areas for music to open up. The Plattsburgh Music and Arts Center, located at 29 Clinton Street, is a place where “bands or individuals can come and practice fairly cheaply.” Said Jamse Ward, bass player for the local band Eat Sleep Funk, partner and co-founder or the PMAC.
It cost 10 dollars per hour for a band to use the space and practice at ‘gig volume and only 5 dollars an hour for an individual. Lessons in bass, drums, keyboard guitar and voice are also offered at the PMAC for a similar fee. “It is the cheap alternative to lessons at the college or elsewhere” said Ward.
The PMAC has been open for a year this past December and although it is not a music venue it is a place where a sense of music community has formed. The PMAC was started by Jamse Ward, Shawn Parrote and Bill Bougill.
Of course there are always those places that have permits to hold music, and these are the ones where a music lover doesn’t have to ask about. The Koffee Kat a small but colorful café on Margret Street in Plattsburgh has music nearly every Saturday night from 8-10. The Monopole, a tavern is hidden away on an alley off of Margaret, offers live music every Wednesday through Saturday. Irises Café and Wine Bar at 22 City Hall place, has acoustic music every Thursday night with live bands on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Coffee Camp also on Margaret St has been trying to have music every week for its patrons.
“It has been hit or miss for the past 8 years”, says Bevan Brady son of the owner of the Coffee Camp. “We lean towards jazz and blues music, but we allow a drum kit, and have been having more punk shows.” Brady believes that the reason he has seen more punk bands ask to play might have something to do with the fact that there are very few venues for that style of music around the area. He welcomes anyone with musical talent to come and ask for a spot on the calendar.
Regional towns disagree over airport contract
By Jon Hochschartner
Harrietstown and Plattsburgh officials are in disagreement over what airline should service their airports.Plattsburgh officials prefer a bid offered by Colgan Air, which offers 34-seat planes with a higher ticket cost, while Harrietstown officials prefer a bid offered by Cape Air, which offers nine seat planes with a lower ticket cost.The issue was central to Harrietstown's Nov. 23 town board meeting.Town Supervisor Larry Miller said that if the Department of Transportation decides against separating the Essential Air Service contracts, it's "very possible" that Harrietstown's Adirondack Regional Airport could end up with Colgan Air."We've been working diligently," Miller said. "I've been working with the chamber, I've been calling our political allies, (including State Senator) Betty Little. I did receive a phone call today from (Congressman) Bill Owens, and he assures me that he's fighting for both airports to have what they're looking for."Town Councilman Jim Murnane said he understood Clinton County legislator's perspective, and thought it would be beneficial to open up a dialogue with them."They're looking for growth," Murnane said. "Of course, I understand our point of view as well. They weren't very complimentary about Cape Air's service. They weren't, by any means, too impressed with Charter Air. They didn't want to get stuck with them. They wanted the opportunity for growth."But Miller said Cape Air has offered to fly larger airplanes if the demand is ever there."According to what I've heard, they don't very often get more than nine people flying out of Plattsburgh to go to Boston," Miller said. "So why would you want a 15 seat airplane if you only have eight or nine people?"When asked by the board, Ross Dubarry, the manager of Adirondack Regional Airport, said he didn't think a fear of flying in a small plane, such as those Cape Air provides, was much of a customer disincentive."There are definitely people who have a fear of flying," Dubarry said. "With those particular individuals, that fear increases with the decrease in the size of the aircraft. In my estimation that's a very small percentage of the flying public."Town Councilman Ronald B. Keough said he believed that without its greater share of Canadian customers, Plattsburgh International Airport would not receive as much business as Adirondack Regional Airport.
Harrietstown and Plattsburgh officials are in disagreement over what airline should service their airports.Plattsburgh officials prefer a bid offered by Colgan Air, which offers 34-seat planes with a higher ticket cost, while Harrietstown officials prefer a bid offered by Cape Air, which offers nine seat planes with a lower ticket cost.The issue was central to Harrietstown's Nov. 23 town board meeting.Town Supervisor Larry Miller said that if the Department of Transportation decides against separating the Essential Air Service contracts, it's "very possible" that Harrietstown's Adirondack Regional Airport could end up with Colgan Air."We've been working diligently," Miller said. "I've been working with the chamber, I've been calling our political allies, (including State Senator) Betty Little. I did receive a phone call today from (Congressman) Bill Owens, and he assures me that he's fighting for both airports to have what they're looking for."Town Councilman Jim Murnane said he understood Clinton County legislator's perspective, and thought it would be beneficial to open up a dialogue with them."They're looking for growth," Murnane said. "Of course, I understand our point of view as well. They weren't very complimentary about Cape Air's service. They weren't, by any means, too impressed with Charter Air. They didn't want to get stuck with them. They wanted the opportunity for growth."But Miller said Cape Air has offered to fly larger airplanes if the demand is ever there."According to what I've heard, they don't very often get more than nine people flying out of Plattsburgh to go to Boston," Miller said. "So why would you want a 15 seat airplane if you only have eight or nine people?"When asked by the board, Ross Dubarry, the manager of Adirondack Regional Airport, said he didn't think a fear of flying in a small plane, such as those Cape Air provides, was much of a customer disincentive."There are definitely people who have a fear of flying," Dubarry said. "With those particular individuals, that fear increases with the decrease in the size of the aircraft. In my estimation that's a very small percentage of the flying public."Town Councilman Ronald B. Keough said he believed that without its greater share of Canadian customers, Plattsburgh International Airport would not receive as much business as Adirondack Regional Airport.
City receives millions for project
By Patricia Fifield
The City of Plattsburgh has received $4.7 million from federal stimulus money to safely cap a landfill in the town of Beekmantown.
Funding for the project came from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The project will seal the solid waste Akey landfill, located on Akey Road, in a safe and environmentally conscious manner. The landfill was closed in 1977 and was covered with sand and topsoil.
Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the city followed Department of Environmental Conservation guidelines in the 70s when sealing the landfill, but years later the DEC required updated procedures. The city was not able to address the new closure plan for financial reasons.
“Upon being elected mayor in 2007, I felt a responsibility to pursue the landfill closure,” said Kasprzak.
The Mayor said he met with DEC officials and was working with Governor Paterson to find a plan to successfully update the closure of the landfill. Out of the $4.7 million for the project, $2.7 million was provided to the city as a non-repayment grant. Kasprzak said the remaining portion will be payable over a 15 year period with no interest for the first three years and a low interest rate for the remainder.
“The $2.7 million does not have to be repaid and the savings from the remaining portion of the funding over 15 years from the EFC will amount to several hundred of thousands of dollars,” said Kasprzak.
The project is not only important to taxpayers, but also necessary to protect local groundwater.
Environmental Manager Jonathan Ruff said “Despite becoming overgrown and looking more like a forest than an old landfill, leachate was produced as rain and groundwater traveled through the old trash.”
Leachate is contaminated water that is created when rainwater comes into contact with waste materials on the area of the landfill. In older landfills, like the 30 acre Akey landfill, leachate can seep directly into the groundwater.
“There are low levels of different contaminants in the leachate plus enough iron to give it an orange coloring,” said Ruff.
New DEC regulations include an impermeable membrane liner and a groundwater interceptor trench, which will reduce leachate. The membrane liner will prevent rainwater from leaking through the landfill, which in turn will protect groundwater.
“The main expected environmental benefit is that the leachate production will be significantly reduced because the groundwater will be intercepted by the trench and rainwater will not be able to percolate through the membrane,” said Ruff.
In a press release New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Board Chairman Pete Grannis said, “When completed, the Plattsburgh landfill closure project will be more protective of the region’s natural resources and accomplished with financing that reduces the burden on local taxpayers.”
Mary Stetson of Akey Road said she was never concerned about the landfill. “I’ve never even heard of leachate,” she said.
Stetson is excited that the city will be upgrading the closure of the site with environmentally safer regulations. “Anything that can protect our health and our wallets will be helpful to everyone,” she said.
The Akey landfill project is one of seven clean water projects in the North Country region. The project is expected to be completed in November 2010 and could launch several jobs to the area.
The City of Plattsburgh has received $4.7 million from federal stimulus money to safely cap a landfill in the town of Beekmantown.
Funding for the project came from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. The project will seal the solid waste Akey landfill, located on Akey Road, in a safe and environmentally conscious manner. The landfill was closed in 1977 and was covered with sand and topsoil.
Mayor Donald Kasprzak said the city followed Department of Environmental Conservation guidelines in the 70s when sealing the landfill, but years later the DEC required updated procedures. The city was not able to address the new closure plan for financial reasons.
“Upon being elected mayor in 2007, I felt a responsibility to pursue the landfill closure,” said Kasprzak.
The Mayor said he met with DEC officials and was working with Governor Paterson to find a plan to successfully update the closure of the landfill. Out of the $4.7 million for the project, $2.7 million was provided to the city as a non-repayment grant. Kasprzak said the remaining portion will be payable over a 15 year period with no interest for the first three years and a low interest rate for the remainder.
“The $2.7 million does not have to be repaid and the savings from the remaining portion of the funding over 15 years from the EFC will amount to several hundred of thousands of dollars,” said Kasprzak.
The project is not only important to taxpayers, but also necessary to protect local groundwater.
Environmental Manager Jonathan Ruff said “Despite becoming overgrown and looking more like a forest than an old landfill, leachate was produced as rain and groundwater traveled through the old trash.”
Leachate is contaminated water that is created when rainwater comes into contact with waste materials on the area of the landfill. In older landfills, like the 30 acre Akey landfill, leachate can seep directly into the groundwater.
“There are low levels of different contaminants in the leachate plus enough iron to give it an orange coloring,” said Ruff.
New DEC regulations include an impermeable membrane liner and a groundwater interceptor trench, which will reduce leachate. The membrane liner will prevent rainwater from leaking through the landfill, which in turn will protect groundwater.
“The main expected environmental benefit is that the leachate production will be significantly reduced because the groundwater will be intercepted by the trench and rainwater will not be able to percolate through the membrane,” said Ruff.
In a press release New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Board Chairman Pete Grannis said, “When completed, the Plattsburgh landfill closure project will be more protective of the region’s natural resources and accomplished with financing that reduces the burden on local taxpayers.”
Mary Stetson of Akey Road said she was never concerned about the landfill. “I’ve never even heard of leachate,” she said.
Stetson is excited that the city will be upgrading the closure of the site with environmentally safer regulations. “Anything that can protect our health and our wallets will be helpful to everyone,” she said.
The Akey landfill project is one of seven clean water projects in the North Country region. The project is expected to be completed in November 2010 and could launch several jobs to the area.
Will Medicare cuts fund health care reform?
By Renee Cumm
A plan geared for health reform could be cutting Medicare spending by $500 billion causing many local senior citizens to be without care. Local hospitals and nursing homes will also be affected in their inability to afford to take on, an estimated, 30 million more people insured by Medicaid, according to the Washington Post.
The $848 billion health care reform bill was unveiled by Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid last week and it would be funded by cuts through Medicare provider payments and taxes placed on expensive health plans.
The article stated that the cuts could cost hospitals and nursing homes so much money that they will be unable to afford to take Medicaid recipients and stop accepting Medicare entirely.
“I live on my social security,” Ruth Zierinski said.
Zierinski is a resident at the Victoria House. The house is somewhat different than a nursing home, because many of its residence self-pay.
Zierinski, retired after working for 28. She said she was forced to go on social security and decided against living with any family members.
“I worked until I couldn’t work anymore,” she said.
Zierinski depends heavily on her social security and does not want to ask family for help. Her only resources come from her Medicare, Medicaid and her SSI check.
“You don’t want your children to have you as a burden,” she said. “The day I get kicked out of here, I will be very destitute”.
Zierinski said it is unfair that money is being cut through Medicare and that benefits could be lost because of it.
“They should have never been able to touch it,” she said. “You don’t go after the old people, the young who are struggling or the middle class. You start at the top, in the big corporations, where the big money is,” she said.
Zierinski may not be kicked out of her home, but the Victoria house does not profit by accepting citizens that do not self-pay, the proprietor of the house, Patty Fuller said. She said that the plan to decrease Medicare spending does not directly affect residence within the home. However, it is not very affordable for her to accept payment from residents, who rely on only their SSI check.
“Nobody can run a house on what they pay now for SSI, it’s less than half of what a self-paid resident would pay,” Fuller said.
A Cable News Network or CNN site that deals with global fortune and money issues stated that the Social Security’s Cost of living increase will not be in effect for 2010. The cost of living quota usually goes up every year for SSI beneficiaries.
The affect on beneficiaries from the loss of COLA is minor with a difference of only about $12 to $15 in benefits Fuller said.
“The cost of living is not going up and they have raised room and board rates in adult homes,” Brian Ruede, the administrator at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home, said.
Ruede said that the decrease in Medicare funding would mainly affect nursing homes and not adult homes like the Victoria House. He said the affects would be primarily in the expenses. The decrease in Medicare earnings will make it hard to balance the home’s expenses, and a lesser revenue coming in from Medicare and Medicaid. When a home has developed a currency system, any change in the system could cause problems.
“It doesn’t really affect the residence, but nursing homes depend on the government to keep us operating, even if we annually increased our room and board rates, it would be very hard to off-set any loss,” Ruede said.
He said that Medicare accounts for 90 percent of the number of billable days at Evergreen Valley. It is a bulk of the revenue. He said that many nursing homes, including Evergreen Valley, hold a very small percent of private residents who self-pay.
“If we are getting less reimbursements’ from Medicare, then we will have to cut corners,” a financial councilor at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital said.
Medicare accounts for only 68 percent of what private insurers pay for equal services, according to American Hospital Association in a recent study entitled, “Trends Affecting Hospitals and Health Care Systems”.
“There's no doubt that our health care needs some reform the trouble is, which way should we take to the reform. Liberals in congress want to centralize decision making in Washington, letting politicians and bureaucrats decide what’s right for you,” Nina Owcharenko, deputy director of health care policy studies, said.
Owcharenko, spoke out on a U-Tube broadcast entitled, “Health care; At What Cost”, on behalf of a project created by, The Heritage Foundation. The project, Fix Health Care Policy, is focused on the Health Care Reform agenda under the slogan, “A dose of reality, fact checking the white house”.
The reform bill has proposed unfinanced mandates by the state, based on a recent study provided by, the FHCP project. The study showed that states would be mandated to pay an addition $25 billion in Medicaid expenditures. The bill could become so unaffordable to employers, by being forced to pay $28 billion in taxes, if they do not provide health plans approved by the government.
Section 9001 of the bill stated: “Excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage”.
The tax will cause employees to lose their employer coverage and they could be forced to receive care from the government. Five million Americans would lose their employee based coverage and 24 million people will be without coverage, according to the study.
“A better approach would allow individuals and families to decide what health care is best for them, some in congress want to create a one size fits all health care system for all Americans, a better approach would allow the states to design health care systems that best meet the needs of their citizens”, Owcharenko said.
A plan geared for health reform could be cutting Medicare spending by $500 billion causing many local senior citizens to be without care. Local hospitals and nursing homes will also be affected in their inability to afford to take on, an estimated, 30 million more people insured by Medicaid, according to the Washington Post.
The $848 billion health care reform bill was unveiled by Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid last week and it would be funded by cuts through Medicare provider payments and taxes placed on expensive health plans.
The article stated that the cuts could cost hospitals and nursing homes so much money that they will be unable to afford to take Medicaid recipients and stop accepting Medicare entirely.
“I live on my social security,” Ruth Zierinski said.
Zierinski is a resident at the Victoria House. The house is somewhat different than a nursing home, because many of its residence self-pay.
Zierinski, retired after working for 28. She said she was forced to go on social security and decided against living with any family members.
“I worked until I couldn’t work anymore,” she said.
Zierinski depends heavily on her social security and does not want to ask family for help. Her only resources come from her Medicare, Medicaid and her SSI check.
“You don’t want your children to have you as a burden,” she said. “The day I get kicked out of here, I will be very destitute”.
Zierinski said it is unfair that money is being cut through Medicare and that benefits could be lost because of it.
“They should have never been able to touch it,” she said. “You don’t go after the old people, the young who are struggling or the middle class. You start at the top, in the big corporations, where the big money is,” she said.
Zierinski may not be kicked out of her home, but the Victoria house does not profit by accepting citizens that do not self-pay, the proprietor of the house, Patty Fuller said. She said that the plan to decrease Medicare spending does not directly affect residence within the home. However, it is not very affordable for her to accept payment from residents, who rely on only their SSI check.
“Nobody can run a house on what they pay now for SSI, it’s less than half of what a self-paid resident would pay,” Fuller said.
A Cable News Network or CNN site that deals with global fortune and money issues stated that the Social Security’s Cost of living increase will not be in effect for 2010. The cost of living quota usually goes up every year for SSI beneficiaries.
The affect on beneficiaries from the loss of COLA is minor with a difference of only about $12 to $15 in benefits Fuller said.
“The cost of living is not going up and they have raised room and board rates in adult homes,” Brian Ruede, the administrator at Evergreen Valley Nursing Home, said.
Ruede said that the decrease in Medicare funding would mainly affect nursing homes and not adult homes like the Victoria House. He said the affects would be primarily in the expenses. The decrease in Medicare earnings will make it hard to balance the home’s expenses, and a lesser revenue coming in from Medicare and Medicaid. When a home has developed a currency system, any change in the system could cause problems.
“It doesn’t really affect the residence, but nursing homes depend on the government to keep us operating, even if we annually increased our room and board rates, it would be very hard to off-set any loss,” Ruede said.
He said that Medicare accounts for 90 percent of the number of billable days at Evergreen Valley. It is a bulk of the revenue. He said that many nursing homes, including Evergreen Valley, hold a very small percent of private residents who self-pay.
“If we are getting less reimbursements’ from Medicare, then we will have to cut corners,” a financial councilor at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital said.
Medicare accounts for only 68 percent of what private insurers pay for equal services, according to American Hospital Association in a recent study entitled, “Trends Affecting Hospitals and Health Care Systems”.
“There's no doubt that our health care needs some reform the trouble is, which way should we take to the reform. Liberals in congress want to centralize decision making in Washington, letting politicians and bureaucrats decide what’s right for you,” Nina Owcharenko, deputy director of health care policy studies, said.
Owcharenko, spoke out on a U-Tube broadcast entitled, “Health care; At What Cost”, on behalf of a project created by, The Heritage Foundation. The project, Fix Health Care Policy, is focused on the Health Care Reform agenda under the slogan, “A dose of reality, fact checking the white house”.
The reform bill has proposed unfinanced mandates by the state, based on a recent study provided by, the FHCP project. The study showed that states would be mandated to pay an addition $25 billion in Medicaid expenditures. The bill could become so unaffordable to employers, by being forced to pay $28 billion in taxes, if they do not provide health plans approved by the government.
Section 9001 of the bill stated: “Excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage”.
The tax will cause employees to lose their employer coverage and they could be forced to receive care from the government. Five million Americans would lose their employee based coverage and 24 million people will be without coverage, according to the study.
“A better approach would allow individuals and families to decide what health care is best for them, some in congress want to create a one size fits all health care system for all Americans, a better approach would allow the states to design health care systems that best meet the needs of their citizens”, Owcharenko said.
Beekmantown to modify after-prom party
By Leah Reid Breyette
The Prom Committee at Beekmantown Central School has decided upon a few changes to their annual after-prom party in May. The after-prom party, which was first held in 2007, is a fun and safe way for students who want to continue their fun after the prom is over. The party, which is held at the school, is an alternative to attending an after-prom party at a residence involving drinking and other unsafe behavior. Teacher Kathy Fuller says the after-prom party has a lot to offer, and now that some changes are under way, the students’ experiences will hopefully be more memorable than ever before.
“There is something for everyone to enjoy at the party. We have everything from a bouncy house to free massages. This year, we are planning on offering even more fun activities, such as a human sticky wall and a bungee-trampoline. These are activities that students wouldn’t normally do, which make them even more enjoyable.”
However, the fun doesn’t stop at the new activities. The school is also increasing the amount of prizes and giveaways that students are automatically signed up for, just by attending the party. According to parent Sheila Bull, the prizes should be enough incentive for every student to attend.”We usually have about 25 drawings throughout the evening, but this year, we’re hoping to bring that number to about 35. We give away big-ticket items, like iPods and gift certificates. We’ve also given away a car every year, which will hopefully happen this year, too. We really want every student to attend, and these giveaways definitely help with the number that do.”
The amount of activities and prizes on the rise for this year’s party calls for a greater number amount of funds and volunteers, but according to parent Lacy Rivers, finding these will not be difficult.
“Most of the funding for this party is done by community donation. The amount of money most of our community members donate to this was surprising to me at first, but I guess it’s because they care about the safety of our kids just as much as we do. Last year, we raised the majority of our money just by donations.”
Teacher Linda DiStefano adds that finding volunteers to help host the party is never a difficult task, either.
“We have parents and siblings of students of all ages helping us out each year. Some of these parents have students that graduated years ago from this school, and they still volunteer their time at the parties- we just see it as their way of giving back and saying thank you for giving these kids such a great opportunity, and we greatly appreciate all they help they give us.”
The after-prom party is always a big hit and attracts most of the students attending prom each year. Senior Kelsey Barnes attended both the prom and after-prom party last year, and says she would love to go again this year. “The after-prom party was so much fun last year, and this year’s sounds even better. When I went, almost every single person in my grade was there, along with their dates. I won a hundred bucks in a drawing just for being there. I can’t see why any student here would want to go out and drink after prom when they can stay here, have a blast, and probably go home with a cool prize on top of that.”
Planning of the after-prom party this year is still in progress, and will continue to be put together during the committee’s monthly meetings. The final plans are anticipated to be done about a month before the prom itself. The committee meetings are open to the public.
The Prom Committee at Beekmantown Central School has decided upon a few changes to their annual after-prom party in May. The after-prom party, which was first held in 2007, is a fun and safe way for students who want to continue their fun after the prom is over. The party, which is held at the school, is an alternative to attending an after-prom party at a residence involving drinking and other unsafe behavior. Teacher Kathy Fuller says the after-prom party has a lot to offer, and now that some changes are under way, the students’ experiences will hopefully be more memorable than ever before.
“There is something for everyone to enjoy at the party. We have everything from a bouncy house to free massages. This year, we are planning on offering even more fun activities, such as a human sticky wall and a bungee-trampoline. These are activities that students wouldn’t normally do, which make them even more enjoyable.”
However, the fun doesn’t stop at the new activities. The school is also increasing the amount of prizes and giveaways that students are automatically signed up for, just by attending the party. According to parent Sheila Bull, the prizes should be enough incentive for every student to attend.”We usually have about 25 drawings throughout the evening, but this year, we’re hoping to bring that number to about 35. We give away big-ticket items, like iPods and gift certificates. We’ve also given away a car every year, which will hopefully happen this year, too. We really want every student to attend, and these giveaways definitely help with the number that do.”
The amount of activities and prizes on the rise for this year’s party calls for a greater number amount of funds and volunteers, but according to parent Lacy Rivers, finding these will not be difficult.
“Most of the funding for this party is done by community donation. The amount of money most of our community members donate to this was surprising to me at first, but I guess it’s because they care about the safety of our kids just as much as we do. Last year, we raised the majority of our money just by donations.”
Teacher Linda DiStefano adds that finding volunteers to help host the party is never a difficult task, either.
“We have parents and siblings of students of all ages helping us out each year. Some of these parents have students that graduated years ago from this school, and they still volunteer their time at the parties- we just see it as their way of giving back and saying thank you for giving these kids such a great opportunity, and we greatly appreciate all they help they give us.”
The after-prom party is always a big hit and attracts most of the students attending prom each year. Senior Kelsey Barnes attended both the prom and after-prom party last year, and says she would love to go again this year. “The after-prom party was so much fun last year, and this year’s sounds even better. When I went, almost every single person in my grade was there, along with their dates. I won a hundred bucks in a drawing just for being there. I can’t see why any student here would want to go out and drink after prom when they can stay here, have a blast, and probably go home with a cool prize on top of that.”
Planning of the after-prom party this year is still in progress, and will continue to be put together during the committee’s monthly meetings. The final plans are anticipated to be done about a month before the prom itself. The committee meetings are open to the public.
Programs 'retrain' to healthy eating
By Lindsay Blair
Today's youth are far more likely to be found in front of the television or the computer screen, or at a fast food spot, than they are elevating their heart rates in sport or exercise. The rate of obesity in US youngsters has doubled in the last 20 years, according to the US centre for disease control.
Health and fitness facilities in Plattsburgh offer facilities which encourage a healthy lifestyle, but a report on obesity statistics shows that 56.7 percent of adults and 13.2 percent of children aged between two and four in Clinton County are overweight. According to the statistics recorded from 2004 to 2006, 72 percent of infants before the age of two are obese. The report, Obesity Statistics and Prevention Activities in Clinton County, released by the New York State Department of Health compares the rates of obesity of adults and children with the lifestyles led. The report outlines the differences in lifestyle and how these factors can contribute to weight problems in adults and children.
A healthy lifestyle is down to personal choice, dietician at Plattsburgh State, Jeff Vallee said. He said that it is difficult to regulate what people are eating, especially in a college environment where there is so much choice. He said that often the people who come to college are not used to putting a meal together for themselves with the right amount of servings and the most suitable sized portions and therefore it is often the case that people overeat on foods that are not the healthiest options.
Vallee, who is an aide to the students at PSUC and holds seminars to advise about nutrition said, “We have our healthy dining hall, Algonquin which has everything baked, and then in Clinton dining hall foods are fried. You still have your healthy options, you have your whole wheat pizza, salad bar and wrap station and stuff like that,” he said, “So you still have healthy options in there but what I see is people, there is no one regulating them, they need to have responsibility to say that they won’t eat a hot dog every day.”
“When people think of unhealthy they always think of overweight, but a lot of people who are underweight, there are a lot of health concerns there too.”
In lower level schools the regulation of food is largely down to the school dining facilities. School nutrition is regulated from New York State and down to the separate school districts. Plattsburgh School District has enforced regulations in its dining halls in schools to try and make children more aware of healthy eating options from an early age.
Charlene O’Connor, School Lunch Manager of the Plattsburgh School District said, “They (children) learn habits (of eating unhealthily) and we try to make them more aware and to teach them to choose wisely,” she said.
“Kids aren’t thinking the same way as adults do and so they think it’s OK to eat sugary and fatty foods all the time. We are trying to change that behavior so that obesity rates will eventually drop,” O’Connor said.
Programs and initiatives have been put in place across the board of education before college level to encourage children and young adults to develop healthier eating habits. Portions of available foods and drinks have been cut from two to one, more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole wheat foods are offered and less high-sugar snacks such as brownies and cookies.
O’Connor said that the school is trying to “retrain” the children to choose something healthier. This is being done by placing healthy options in plain view and by placing things like apples and healthy snacks in front of less healthy alternatives.
“Kids would rather have a brownie than an apple, we are trying to retrain them,” she said.
Today's youth are far more likely to be found in front of the television or the computer screen, or at a fast food spot, than they are elevating their heart rates in sport or exercise. The rate of obesity in US youngsters has doubled in the last 20 years, according to the US centre for disease control.
Health and fitness facilities in Plattsburgh offer facilities which encourage a healthy lifestyle, but a report on obesity statistics shows that 56.7 percent of adults and 13.2 percent of children aged between two and four in Clinton County are overweight. According to the statistics recorded from 2004 to 2006, 72 percent of infants before the age of two are obese. The report, Obesity Statistics and Prevention Activities in Clinton County, released by the New York State Department of Health compares the rates of obesity of adults and children with the lifestyles led. The report outlines the differences in lifestyle and how these factors can contribute to weight problems in adults and children.
A healthy lifestyle is down to personal choice, dietician at Plattsburgh State, Jeff Vallee said. He said that it is difficult to regulate what people are eating, especially in a college environment where there is so much choice. He said that often the people who come to college are not used to putting a meal together for themselves with the right amount of servings and the most suitable sized portions and therefore it is often the case that people overeat on foods that are not the healthiest options.
Vallee, who is an aide to the students at PSUC and holds seminars to advise about nutrition said, “We have our healthy dining hall, Algonquin which has everything baked, and then in Clinton dining hall foods are fried. You still have your healthy options, you have your whole wheat pizza, salad bar and wrap station and stuff like that,” he said, “So you still have healthy options in there but what I see is people, there is no one regulating them, they need to have responsibility to say that they won’t eat a hot dog every day.”
“When people think of unhealthy they always think of overweight, but a lot of people who are underweight, there are a lot of health concerns there too.”
In lower level schools the regulation of food is largely down to the school dining facilities. School nutrition is regulated from New York State and down to the separate school districts. Plattsburgh School District has enforced regulations in its dining halls in schools to try and make children more aware of healthy eating options from an early age.
Charlene O’Connor, School Lunch Manager of the Plattsburgh School District said, “They (children) learn habits (of eating unhealthily) and we try to make them more aware and to teach them to choose wisely,” she said.
“Kids aren’t thinking the same way as adults do and so they think it’s OK to eat sugary and fatty foods all the time. We are trying to change that behavior so that obesity rates will eventually drop,” O’Connor said.
Programs and initiatives have been put in place across the board of education before college level to encourage children and young adults to develop healthier eating habits. Portions of available foods and drinks have been cut from two to one, more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole wheat foods are offered and less high-sugar snacks such as brownies and cookies.
O’Connor said that the school is trying to “retrain” the children to choose something healthier. This is being done by placing healthy options in plain view and by placing things like apples and healthy snacks in front of less healthy alternatives.
“Kids would rather have a brownie than an apple, we are trying to retrain them,” she said.
City votes to continue fluoridation
By Amanda Smith
On Thursday, Nov 19, the long-awaited decision of whether or not to continue the fluoridation of water in the city of Plattsburgh was made. Four out of two city council members chose to prolong the fluoridation of the city’s water. The decision has many residents concerned about those residents who may be harmed due to too much fluoride.
Eleven months ago, City Council member Michael Kelly, in charge of Ward II, asked to take a look at the issue of the fluoridation of water in the city. The issue was intensely debated upon until the night of Nov 19 when the city council came to their decision.
Thursday night’s city council meeting was tense as residents apposing the issue said their piece. Former city council member, Bill Provost gave a speech in which he thanked SUNY Plattsburgh Anthropology Professor, Dr. Richard Robbins, and the Press Republican for accurately reporting the meetings.
Handouts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other sources, which lacked evidence opposing the fluoridation of the city’s water, were provided. When asked why this was, City Council member James Calnon said, “We’ve seen the other side of the story for some time now...and who am I to question [the experts]?”
According to the CDC, fluoridation was started in Michigan in 1945 and has successfully assisted our country’s health for more than fifty years.
Mayor Donald Kasprzak said he felt the city council’s decision was the right one. There was no overwhelming or compelling evidence to convince him that fluoride is harmful. There weren’t many residents supporting “the fluoride side” for undisclosed reasons, he said.
“Only one part per million, much below the maximum CDC recommendation will be used,” Kasprzak said. “There aren’t enough facts to support [the argument that fluoride is harmful.]”
It isn’t a matter of the benefits fluoride serves, but a matter of safety said concerned resident Doug Butdorf.
“Fluoridation is not proven to be safe,” Butdorf said.
SUNY Plattsburgh professor, Dr. Richard Robbins argument from the meeting explained why fluoride should not be used in water.
“We all likely have in our bodies traces of anywhere from 40 to 80 toxic chemicals, including dioxins, almost all of which have never been tested for their effect on the human body,” he said. “More seriously, there is virtually no research on the effect of combining those chemicals or at what rate they build up in the body. There is, of course, nothing on how their impact varies by the age, weight, gender, health, or pharmacological status of the person.”
Shelley Fracalossi, former SUNY professor and Plattsburgh resident, felt her democratic government had failed her and other residents of her city.
“[The council] wants to do the same thing they’ve always done and are afraid to do anything different because of public outcry,” Fracalossi said. “The decision was probably made on who talks the loudest; no one speaks for science.”
Fracalossi said if her government fails her on such a small scale, then she’s worried what other things the government can change.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” she said.
The subject can be brought in front of the council once again in 2010 to be overturned if any residents strongly oppose the city council’s decision.
On Thursday, Nov 19, the long-awaited decision of whether or not to continue the fluoridation of water in the city of Plattsburgh was made. Four out of two city council members chose to prolong the fluoridation of the city’s water. The decision has many residents concerned about those residents who may be harmed due to too much fluoride.
Eleven months ago, City Council member Michael Kelly, in charge of Ward II, asked to take a look at the issue of the fluoridation of water in the city. The issue was intensely debated upon until the night of Nov 19 when the city council came to their decision.
Thursday night’s city council meeting was tense as residents apposing the issue said their piece. Former city council member, Bill Provost gave a speech in which he thanked SUNY Plattsburgh Anthropology Professor, Dr. Richard Robbins, and the Press Republican for accurately reporting the meetings.
Handouts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other sources, which lacked evidence opposing the fluoridation of the city’s water, were provided. When asked why this was, City Council member James Calnon said, “We’ve seen the other side of the story for some time now...and who am I to question [the experts]?”
According to the CDC, fluoridation was started in Michigan in 1945 and has successfully assisted our country’s health for more than fifty years.
Mayor Donald Kasprzak said he felt the city council’s decision was the right one. There was no overwhelming or compelling evidence to convince him that fluoride is harmful. There weren’t many residents supporting “the fluoride side” for undisclosed reasons, he said.
“Only one part per million, much below the maximum CDC recommendation will be used,” Kasprzak said. “There aren’t enough facts to support [the argument that fluoride is harmful.]”
It isn’t a matter of the benefits fluoride serves, but a matter of safety said concerned resident Doug Butdorf.
“Fluoridation is not proven to be safe,” Butdorf said.
SUNY Plattsburgh professor, Dr. Richard Robbins argument from the meeting explained why fluoride should not be used in water.
“We all likely have in our bodies traces of anywhere from 40 to 80 toxic chemicals, including dioxins, almost all of which have never been tested for their effect on the human body,” he said. “More seriously, there is virtually no research on the effect of combining those chemicals or at what rate they build up in the body. There is, of course, nothing on how their impact varies by the age, weight, gender, health, or pharmacological status of the person.”
Shelley Fracalossi, former SUNY professor and Plattsburgh resident, felt her democratic government had failed her and other residents of her city.
“[The council] wants to do the same thing they’ve always done and are afraid to do anything different because of public outcry,” Fracalossi said. “The decision was probably made on who talks the loudest; no one speaks for science.”
Fracalossi said if her government fails her on such a small scale, then she’s worried what other things the government can change.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” she said.
The subject can be brought in front of the council once again in 2010 to be overturned if any residents strongly oppose the city council’s decision.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Retailers brace for Black Friday rush
By Mathias Kamin
The holiday season is fast approaching here in the North Country and already the shopping centers are bracing for the annual onslaught of shoppers, coupon clippers and die-hard bargain-finders. The Champlain Centres Mall normally opens at 9:30a.m. most Fridays, but this Friday, Black Friday, it will open at 6am. The JC Penny store in the mall will be opening at 4am.
Early hours have become an annual event at many stores around the country in the past few decades. Shoppers form cues that can be up to a ¼ mile long waiting to gain access to the heavily marked down merchandise.
Most shoppers read about the deals and promotions for stores through the paper, but the Champlain Centre mall has been using a different tactic to educate potential consumers of sales at their stores. Stefanie Pert a marketing intern with the mall and senior at Plattsburgh State explains the program.
“We use the PA here in the mall the week before black Friday to announce to window shoppers which sales are happening at which stores on that day.” This way she says, in conjunction with the normal ads in the paper, shoppers can better locate and purchase the goods they are going to buy.
Joan LaPier, the marketing director of the Champlain centre mall expects the mall here in Plattsburgh to be very full on this black Friday. “We draw from a 90 mile radius, and we have a Target store and no other town in Vermont or the North Country has one, so that’s a big pull.”
The Target store in the Champlain centre mall has only been open for a year and a month and has been quite the popular destination for area and international shoppers.
John Jacques, of Montreal, Québec explains his recent shopping trip into the states. “I won’t be coming down here on black Friday, but I will be back down to the Target to do some more holiday shopping.” Jacques was only down here this past Sunday to shop for the day, but he quipped about his return in the next few weeks as a vacation where he will spend the weekend in town taking advantage of the holiday sales.
Many other Canadians come to Plattsburgh to do their shopping and unlike Jacques a good amount will be here on Black Friday. The currency exchange in the Centre mall is the first stop for most of these Canadians.
“We’ll open about three hours earlier than normal on Black Friday” said Sharron Morse, who works as a teller at the exchange.
Her coworker Hollie Davis said that they “expect to exchange tens of thousands of dollars next Friday, that’s many more times than the average amount for a normal Friday.”
“I think with the Canadian dollar being so strong against the dollar that we will see an increase over last year.”, said Davis.
Students and temporary workers also get a boom because of the holiday season. Jeremy Mathsen, a student at PSUC, just started his job as a toy salesman at the Toys For All kiosk in the mall. “People won’t but this stuff all year, so if they’re going to buy it now, I’ll take the job.”
With all these eager shoppers it is easy to imagine that things can get out of control. Tina Martineau who works at the information Kiosk in the mall recounts an unpleasant episode during a Black Friday excursion her and her mother took a few years back.
“I was inside the store standing in the toy section waiting for the worker to remove a tape barrier when a woman jumped over a shopping cart and landed on my shoulder. All I heard was boom boom bang. I guess she was trying to get a cabbage patch doll, well I got my mother and we left. There’s no security in there, and way too many people, so I don’t shop at the Plattsburgh Wal-Mart anymore. I go to the one in Malone.”
Every year stores have been taking more and more precautions to ensure the safety of their patrons, but not without incident. Last year, Jdimytai Damour, a Wal-Mart security guard in Mineola, NY was trampled to death by a stampede of shoppers during last year’s Black Friday. Authorities say Damour was asphyxiated.
The holiday season is fast approaching here in the North Country and already the shopping centers are bracing for the annual onslaught of shoppers, coupon clippers and die-hard bargain-finders. The Champlain Centres Mall normally opens at 9:30a.m. most Fridays, but this Friday, Black Friday, it will open at 6am. The JC Penny store in the mall will be opening at 4am.
Early hours have become an annual event at many stores around the country in the past few decades. Shoppers form cues that can be up to a ¼ mile long waiting to gain access to the heavily marked down merchandise.
Most shoppers read about the deals and promotions for stores through the paper, but the Champlain Centre mall has been using a different tactic to educate potential consumers of sales at their stores. Stefanie Pert a marketing intern with the mall and senior at Plattsburgh State explains the program.
“We use the PA here in the mall the week before black Friday to announce to window shoppers which sales are happening at which stores on that day.” This way she says, in conjunction with the normal ads in the paper, shoppers can better locate and purchase the goods they are going to buy.
Joan LaPier, the marketing director of the Champlain centre mall expects the mall here in Plattsburgh to be very full on this black Friday. “We draw from a 90 mile radius, and we have a Target store and no other town in Vermont or the North Country has one, so that’s a big pull.”
The Target store in the Champlain centre mall has only been open for a year and a month and has been quite the popular destination for area and international shoppers.
John Jacques, of Montreal, Québec explains his recent shopping trip into the states. “I won’t be coming down here on black Friday, but I will be back down to the Target to do some more holiday shopping.” Jacques was only down here this past Sunday to shop for the day, but he quipped about his return in the next few weeks as a vacation where he will spend the weekend in town taking advantage of the holiday sales.
Many other Canadians come to Plattsburgh to do their shopping and unlike Jacques a good amount will be here on Black Friday. The currency exchange in the Centre mall is the first stop for most of these Canadians.
“We’ll open about three hours earlier than normal on Black Friday” said Sharron Morse, who works as a teller at the exchange.
Her coworker Hollie Davis said that they “expect to exchange tens of thousands of dollars next Friday, that’s many more times than the average amount for a normal Friday.”
“I think with the Canadian dollar being so strong against the dollar that we will see an increase over last year.”, said Davis.
Students and temporary workers also get a boom because of the holiday season. Jeremy Mathsen, a student at PSUC, just started his job as a toy salesman at the Toys For All kiosk in the mall. “People won’t but this stuff all year, so if they’re going to buy it now, I’ll take the job.”
With all these eager shoppers it is easy to imagine that things can get out of control. Tina Martineau who works at the information Kiosk in the mall recounts an unpleasant episode during a Black Friday excursion her and her mother took a few years back.
“I was inside the store standing in the toy section waiting for the worker to remove a tape barrier when a woman jumped over a shopping cart and landed on my shoulder. All I heard was boom boom bang. I guess she was trying to get a cabbage patch doll, well I got my mother and we left. There’s no security in there, and way too many people, so I don’t shop at the Plattsburgh Wal-Mart anymore. I go to the one in Malone.”
Every year stores have been taking more and more precautions to ensure the safety of their patrons, but not without incident. Last year, Jdimytai Damour, a Wal-Mart security guard in Mineola, NY was trampled to death by a stampede of shoppers during last year’s Black Friday. Authorities say Damour was asphyxiated.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
'Differently-abled' in the North Country
By Emmalie Vance
At the age of 17, Chelsea Scheefer went snowboarding in Tupper Lake with some friends. Coming off of a jump, she landed on her neck with the weight of the rest of her body, which was enough to break two vertebras in her back.
“Right away I couldn’t feel my legs,” Scheefer said. “I tried to get up and I couldn’t move. I went to grab my legs and they felt really swollen just like when you get anesthesia at the dentist and your mouth feels huge.”
From that moment on, Scheefer’s life went in a slightly different direction, adding her name to nearly 50 million others in the United States alone who have a disability, according to the 2000 US Census 2000. She said she isn’t disabled, she’s “differently-abled” because she does things that everyone else does, just differently. However, those minor differences require her to enlist the help of assistive technology such as a titanium wheelchair, a lift to help her ascend stairs and hand controls for her car.
Adaptable technology necessary for the disabled to complete everyday tasks sometimes comes with a steeper price tag than an individual can afford. Along with the issue of money, there is also the confusion of where to buy, the application process and the time it takes to get the initial approval, a replacement, or a repair.
In the Plattsburgh area, the North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) is a place to start for disabled people and their families who may have a long list of questions regarding adaptive technology.
“For a person who contacts us telling us about their need, we could give them advice on what would be the proper piece of technology,” said Robert Poulin, systems director at NCCI. “We could then help them find various funding streams if that were something that would be required, but we would not provide funding for purchasing equipment like that.”
NCCI is also available to give suggestions about where to go and help with the application process for funding programs. Medicaid, Medicare, and New York’s Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) are three optional programs.
“We have consultants we hire to do an assessment of the person’s needs and whether or not there is a piece of technology, machinery or science that will help them be able to overcome that barrier to them being employed. We basically take that and try to find a way for them to obtain that material,” said Daniel Roberts, senior counselor with the Adult Vocational Rehabilitation Services at VESID.
With help from programs like VESID, payment for some pieces of equipment may be largely or completely taken care of, depending on the person’s financial status, which is reviewed by a counselor such as Roberts.
Typically, he said, if the applicant is working or has a job offer, that business would take responsibility for payment of the piece of technology the person needs. If they prove they’re not economically stable to do so, VESID would then review the applicant’s financial situation. If they are on public assistance, VESID would pay for everything, if they have a couple thousand dollars, they would be expected to pay that and VESID would pick up the remaining costs.
“Usually it feels a lot easier getting the equipment initially and it feels like it’s a lot more work and requires a lot more patience to get an upgrade. You always need an upgrade,” Poulin said.
Scheefer, who is also one of Poulin’s coworkers at NCCI, knows all about the headaches of getting repairs and replacements for her wheelchair.
“‘Prior authorization’ is the key word,” Scheefer said. “If you’re taking too much medication, [insurances] want prior authorization as to why that is, you need to justify it, and the same thing with medical equipment. It’s craziness.”
For example, Scheefer’s most recent issue was a stuck caster on the front of her wheelchair, which forced her to do wheelies to be able to move around. The paperwork and phone calls to get the replacement caster lasted several months, after which Scheefer’s fiancée ended up buying her a $400 chair online to last her until she got what she needed.
North Country Kids is an “Early Intervention and Preschool agency,” according to their website, www.nckidsinc.com. “We offer the earliest possible intervention and support for infants, toddlers and preschool children (birth to five years of age) who have difficulties in the areas of speech, cognitive, behavior, social emotional or gross and fine motor development.”
Kelly McCauley, a pathologist at North Country Kids, described one of the pieces of equipment they use to develop social skills, called a Dynavox: “It’s like a computer program. If you touch three pictures in a row it will sequence them and repeat the whole sentence. If you push on the button for kitchen, that will open up to a screen that has 10 other buttons. You could push on social things during mealtime where another page would open up to a bunch of fruit if you wanted to request a fruit.”
This piece of technology is usually around $5,000 and a written justification for the family of the child to purchase it is required.
“Basically you get a trial device for a month after a big justification of why the child needs the device,” McCauley said. “After the trial is over, then you have to write another report justifying why the family would need to purchase the device. At $5,000 you really need to justify it as something they really need.”
Transitions such as Scheefer’s from abled to “differently-abled”, at any age, presents one important question: Who can I turn to for help?
“Connect with other people who have disabilities,” said Scheefer. “Go online and visit organizations that support or provide services or do research on the disability that you have. It’s all part of defining who you are and if you deny that you have anything going on with you or if you close yourself off, it’s going to be hard to tell people what you need and to get what you need.”
At the age of 17, Chelsea Scheefer went snowboarding in Tupper Lake with some friends. Coming off of a jump, she landed on her neck with the weight of the rest of her body, which was enough to break two vertebras in her back.
“Right away I couldn’t feel my legs,” Scheefer said. “I tried to get up and I couldn’t move. I went to grab my legs and they felt really swollen just like when you get anesthesia at the dentist and your mouth feels huge.”
From that moment on, Scheefer’s life went in a slightly different direction, adding her name to nearly 50 million others in the United States alone who have a disability, according to the 2000 US Census 2000. She said she isn’t disabled, she’s “differently-abled” because she does things that everyone else does, just differently. However, those minor differences require her to enlist the help of assistive technology such as a titanium wheelchair, a lift to help her ascend stairs and hand controls for her car.
Adaptable technology necessary for the disabled to complete everyday tasks sometimes comes with a steeper price tag than an individual can afford. Along with the issue of money, there is also the confusion of where to buy, the application process and the time it takes to get the initial approval, a replacement, or a repair.
In the Plattsburgh area, the North Country Center for Independence (NCCI) is a place to start for disabled people and their families who may have a long list of questions regarding adaptive technology.
“For a person who contacts us telling us about their need, we could give them advice on what would be the proper piece of technology,” said Robert Poulin, systems director at NCCI. “We could then help them find various funding streams if that were something that would be required, but we would not provide funding for purchasing equipment like that.”
NCCI is also available to give suggestions about where to go and help with the application process for funding programs. Medicaid, Medicare, and New York’s Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) are three optional programs.
“We have consultants we hire to do an assessment of the person’s needs and whether or not there is a piece of technology, machinery or science that will help them be able to overcome that barrier to them being employed. We basically take that and try to find a way for them to obtain that material,” said Daniel Roberts, senior counselor with the Adult Vocational Rehabilitation Services at VESID.
With help from programs like VESID, payment for some pieces of equipment may be largely or completely taken care of, depending on the person’s financial status, which is reviewed by a counselor such as Roberts.
Typically, he said, if the applicant is working or has a job offer, that business would take responsibility for payment of the piece of technology the person needs. If they prove they’re not economically stable to do so, VESID would then review the applicant’s financial situation. If they are on public assistance, VESID would pay for everything, if they have a couple thousand dollars, they would be expected to pay that and VESID would pick up the remaining costs.
“Usually it feels a lot easier getting the equipment initially and it feels like it’s a lot more work and requires a lot more patience to get an upgrade. You always need an upgrade,” Poulin said.
Scheefer, who is also one of Poulin’s coworkers at NCCI, knows all about the headaches of getting repairs and replacements for her wheelchair.
“‘Prior authorization’ is the key word,” Scheefer said. “If you’re taking too much medication, [insurances] want prior authorization as to why that is, you need to justify it, and the same thing with medical equipment. It’s craziness.”
For example, Scheefer’s most recent issue was a stuck caster on the front of her wheelchair, which forced her to do wheelies to be able to move around. The paperwork and phone calls to get the replacement caster lasted several months, after which Scheefer’s fiancée ended up buying her a $400 chair online to last her until she got what she needed.
North Country Kids is an “Early Intervention and Preschool agency,” according to their website, www.nckidsinc.com. “We offer the earliest possible intervention and support for infants, toddlers and preschool children (birth to five years of age) who have difficulties in the areas of speech, cognitive, behavior, social emotional or gross and fine motor development.”
Kelly McCauley, a pathologist at North Country Kids, described one of the pieces of equipment they use to develop social skills, called a Dynavox: “It’s like a computer program. If you touch three pictures in a row it will sequence them and repeat the whole sentence. If you push on the button for kitchen, that will open up to a screen that has 10 other buttons. You could push on social things during mealtime where another page would open up to a bunch of fruit if you wanted to request a fruit.”
This piece of technology is usually around $5,000 and a written justification for the family of the child to purchase it is required.
“Basically you get a trial device for a month after a big justification of why the child needs the device,” McCauley said. “After the trial is over, then you have to write another report justifying why the family would need to purchase the device. At $5,000 you really need to justify it as something they really need.”
Transitions such as Scheefer’s from abled to “differently-abled”, at any age, presents one important question: Who can I turn to for help?
“Connect with other people who have disabilities,” said Scheefer. “Go online and visit organizations that support or provide services or do research on the disability that you have. It’s all part of defining who you are and if you deny that you have anything going on with you or if you close yourself off, it’s going to be hard to tell people what you need and to get what you need.”
Plattsburgh natives relocate due to few jobs
By Amanda Smith
Little incentive from the Town of Plattsburgh has caused its public to leave their native rural area. Due to limited employment opportunities and low pay, much of Plattsburgh’s populace is flocking to urban areas. Although the town’s goals include increasing job openings and attractiveness, many continue to part ways with their hometown. An article featured in Newsweek about rural America’s bleak future as a result of a decline in population for various reasons, also known as the “rural brain drain,” is similar to Plattsburgh’s crisis. The article tells about a small county in Kansas that enticed populations to come back to the area by offering free land to those who could be preapproved by a bank and start building within one year, but such a program cannot exist in Plattsburgh. “There are too few available vacant building lots within the existing city limits to make such an enticement program feasible,” said Jim Bailey, city historian. “I think you'll find that municipal leaders at all local levels are focusing on increasing job opportunities rather than home sites in order to increase populations.” The town continues to come up with beneficial goals to support itself despite a declining population. Phil Von Bargen, Town of Plattsburgh’s Planning Dept. Director, helps to come up with those goals as well as keep tabs on the town’s population trends. The town is made up of nearly 12,000 people, excluding the city, he said. According to the town’s 1999 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the town “took a hit,” as Von Bargen put it, in 1995 due to the closure of the Air Force Base. Since then, the population has been steadily increasing about 3% each year, but that isn’t what the Comprehensive Land Use Plan projected. In 1999, the town predicted that the population would be nearly 13,000 by 2010, a thousand people short of today’s estimate. NYC’s five boroughs haven’t had as much of a problem as a small town like Plattsburgh; NYC has seen a 4.4% increase from 2000 to 2008, according to the US Census Bureau. In addition to having less of a population than expected, jobs in the area have been scarce as well. The closure of the Air Force Base has most likely contributed to this as well, but because the base isn’t zoned for residential living, it has the potential to create jobs. The population will go where there’s more industrialization because there are more jobs available, Von Bargen said. The City of Plattsburgh has no more space to further develop; the Town of Plattsburgh has nearly 70% of its land waiting to be commercially developed. Until the base is more industrialized, will employment increase. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clinton County’s current unemployment rate is 9% which is slightly above the state average of 8.8%. However, Albany County and NYC, including Bronx, Kings, Queens, New York and Richmond counties, are either below or in-between the state average and Clinton County’s unemployment rate, except for Bronx County which has a rate of 13.3%. Dir. of Admissions at SUNY Plattsburgh, Rich Higgins has seen students move away for many reasons, usually in search of better job opportunities. A variety of jobs are offered in urban areas like Albany, making them more enticing than rural areas to students, he said. “If someone wants to come back here, it (the job) has to be relevant to the area,” he said. “If they are encouraged, they’ll come back.” But many aren’t being encouraged. A number of majors that were thought to do well in the area like criminal justice aren’t making enough money and have limited positions available which requires an out of area move and leaves little incentive to stay in rural Plattsburgh.
In her twenty years of working at Clinton County Community College, associate dean of institutional research and planning, Rita Ward-Slater said the school is at an all-time high for full-time students.
“When there are no jobs, people go to school in hopes of something better; you can live on loans,” she said.
Research done by the college shows that only 20% of students pursuing the Associate in Applied Sciences degree graduated in the 2006 Fall semester; the degree was designed to help students begin education for employment in a particular career.
In an e-mail concerning college statistics sent by Ward-Slater, of 118 grads 34% of students found jobs soon after graduating, 26% changed colleges and 4% were unemployed, but there were also a high number of students’ whereabouts unknown. Those students’ whose whereabouts are unknown as well as those who found jobs within 6 months of graduating may very-well have moved away to urban centers. Ward-Slater thinks about 2/3 of grads are staying in area depending on whether or not they find work in the field.
One career option that is making money straight out of community college, is nursing. This profession makes more than most teachers, who spend more money to go to college to get their degree. The only problem with it is the job can be done anywhere meaning it is not exclusive to the Plattsburgh area. So what kinds of jobs can local high school grads acquire in the area and are they able to take them?
“It’s hard to send a kid away to school [in these times,]” Alan Seazelle, Plattsburgh High School counselor said. “More kids are staying in state during the bad economy.”
Seazelle made a point to say that it’s “very seldom” that kids don’t go to college. Newsweek’s brain drain article mentioned that “small towns traditionally put all their efforts behind smart students, pushing them out into four-year universities.” About 65% of students goes to four-year colleges, 25% go to two-year colleges and the rest either go out into the workforce or the military; the drop-out rate is low as well, Seazelle said.
There is incentive within the high schools though. Students with an average of 90 or higher receive free tuition to a community college or SUNY Plattsburgh.
Kristina Moquin, mental health counselor at SUNY Plattsburgh and Plattsburgh High student, was one of the few Plattsburgh natives that decided to stay local. Although she applied to schools outside the state, SUNY Plattsburgh was the best fit financially. Even though she was fortunate enough to find a well-paying job in the area, many of the high school friends she went to college with have moved away.
“Every single one of my friends have moved away to find jobs,” she said.
Other friends she knew from high school that live in the area are now corrections officers, teachers, police or work in the medical field.
Little incentive from the Town of Plattsburgh has caused its public to leave their native rural area. Due to limited employment opportunities and low pay, much of Plattsburgh’s populace is flocking to urban areas. Although the town’s goals include increasing job openings and attractiveness, many continue to part ways with their hometown. An article featured in Newsweek about rural America’s bleak future as a result of a decline in population for various reasons, also known as the “rural brain drain,” is similar to Plattsburgh’s crisis. The article tells about a small county in Kansas that enticed populations to come back to the area by offering free land to those who could be preapproved by a bank and start building within one year, but such a program cannot exist in Plattsburgh. “There are too few available vacant building lots within the existing city limits to make such an enticement program feasible,” said Jim Bailey, city historian. “I think you'll find that municipal leaders at all local levels are focusing on increasing job opportunities rather than home sites in order to increase populations.” The town continues to come up with beneficial goals to support itself despite a declining population. Phil Von Bargen, Town of Plattsburgh’s Planning Dept. Director, helps to come up with those goals as well as keep tabs on the town’s population trends. The town is made up of nearly 12,000 people, excluding the city, he said. According to the town’s 1999 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the town “took a hit,” as Von Bargen put it, in 1995 due to the closure of the Air Force Base. Since then, the population has been steadily increasing about 3% each year, but that isn’t what the Comprehensive Land Use Plan projected. In 1999, the town predicted that the population would be nearly 13,000 by 2010, a thousand people short of today’s estimate. NYC’s five boroughs haven’t had as much of a problem as a small town like Plattsburgh; NYC has seen a 4.4% increase from 2000 to 2008, according to the US Census Bureau. In addition to having less of a population than expected, jobs in the area have been scarce as well. The closure of the Air Force Base has most likely contributed to this as well, but because the base isn’t zoned for residential living, it has the potential to create jobs. The population will go where there’s more industrialization because there are more jobs available, Von Bargen said. The City of Plattsburgh has no more space to further develop; the Town of Plattsburgh has nearly 70% of its land waiting to be commercially developed. Until the base is more industrialized, will employment increase. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Clinton County’s current unemployment rate is 9% which is slightly above the state average of 8.8%. However, Albany County and NYC, including Bronx, Kings, Queens, New York and Richmond counties, are either below or in-between the state average and Clinton County’s unemployment rate, except for Bronx County which has a rate of 13.3%. Dir. of Admissions at SUNY Plattsburgh, Rich Higgins has seen students move away for many reasons, usually in search of better job opportunities. A variety of jobs are offered in urban areas like Albany, making them more enticing than rural areas to students, he said. “If someone wants to come back here, it (the job) has to be relevant to the area,” he said. “If they are encouraged, they’ll come back.” But many aren’t being encouraged. A number of majors that were thought to do well in the area like criminal justice aren’t making enough money and have limited positions available which requires an out of area move and leaves little incentive to stay in rural Plattsburgh.
In her twenty years of working at Clinton County Community College, associate dean of institutional research and planning, Rita Ward-Slater said the school is at an all-time high for full-time students.
“When there are no jobs, people go to school in hopes of something better; you can live on loans,” she said.
Research done by the college shows that only 20% of students pursuing the Associate in Applied Sciences degree graduated in the 2006 Fall semester; the degree was designed to help students begin education for employment in a particular career.
In an e-mail concerning college statistics sent by Ward-Slater, of 118 grads 34% of students found jobs soon after graduating, 26% changed colleges and 4% were unemployed, but there were also a high number of students’ whereabouts unknown. Those students’ whose whereabouts are unknown as well as those who found jobs within 6 months of graduating may very-well have moved away to urban centers. Ward-Slater thinks about 2/3 of grads are staying in area depending on whether or not they find work in the field.
One career option that is making money straight out of community college, is nursing. This profession makes more than most teachers, who spend more money to go to college to get their degree. The only problem with it is the job can be done anywhere meaning it is not exclusive to the Plattsburgh area. So what kinds of jobs can local high school grads acquire in the area and are they able to take them?
“It’s hard to send a kid away to school [in these times,]” Alan Seazelle, Plattsburgh High School counselor said. “More kids are staying in state during the bad economy.”
Seazelle made a point to say that it’s “very seldom” that kids don’t go to college. Newsweek’s brain drain article mentioned that “small towns traditionally put all their efforts behind smart students, pushing them out into four-year universities.” About 65% of students goes to four-year colleges, 25% go to two-year colleges and the rest either go out into the workforce or the military; the drop-out rate is low as well, Seazelle said.
There is incentive within the high schools though. Students with an average of 90 or higher receive free tuition to a community college or SUNY Plattsburgh.
Kristina Moquin, mental health counselor at SUNY Plattsburgh and Plattsburgh High student, was one of the few Plattsburgh natives that decided to stay local. Although she applied to schools outside the state, SUNY Plattsburgh was the best fit financially. Even though she was fortunate enough to find a well-paying job in the area, many of the high school friends she went to college with have moved away.
“Every single one of my friends have moved away to find jobs,” she said.
Other friends she knew from high school that live in the area are now corrections officers, teachers, police or work in the medical field.
Is that food allergy or simply intolerance?
By Aurora O’Geen
As the seasons change, it’s easy to spot a person with seasonal allergy symptoms. The sneezing, congestion, and itchy-eyes are clear signs of the allergies. For people dealing with a food allergy, its not as simple as taking an over the counter drug to ease their symptoms, in fact food allergies can be extremely painful and even fatal. Today, more and more people are reporting food allergies- symptoms which may be mistaken for food intolerance. The symptoms of food allergies in comparison with food intolerance were recently reviewed in an article in MSNBC. Common misconceptions of what a food allergy actually entails may lead to a misdiagnosis if not treated properly.
Food intolerance can lead to nausea, indigestion, skin rashes, and trouble breathing- common misconceptions for an allergy. The key difference however, is that food intolerance, although uncomfortable to deal with, is not seriously dangerous because it does not directly deal with the individual’s immune system.
A food allergy does affect the immune system directly. When a substance is ingested which the individual is allergic to, it triggers the immune system to go into overdrive causing serious reactions which can be fatal. Symptoms of food allergies include swelling of the mouth and airway, hives, dizziness, and fainting are also common. Of course depending on the individual the reaction can differ- a highly sensitive allergy can be triggered by even the smallest amount of food. Similarly, the timing of the reaction can also differ for each individual. A reaction can occur up to two hours after ingesting the food; on the other hand a person could show immediate signs of a reaction after eating. The key to dealing with food allergies seems clear- avoidance. But the problem is that people aren’t always aware of what they’re actually consuming. A person dealing with a food allergy not only needs to be aware of what they’re consuming, but also where the product was made. Cross-contamination is common with food allergies. For example, a person with a severe reaction to peanuts should also pay attention to foods which may be processed in the same location as the nuts. The smallest amount, though accidental, could trigger a severe reaction. Dr. JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig, associate professor of nursing at SUNY Plattsburgh, explains that a food allergy can be serious without even ingesting the food. Fruit used in many hair products such as shampoo could trigger a skin reaction which can be just as serious.
Jake Dumas recalls a classmate who dealt with their food allergy on a daily basis. In elementary school a classmate had a severe allergy to peanuts. “In the beginning of the year our teacher explained the student’s situation and asked all students to understand her request for no peanut products in the classroom, as a way of making it a safe environment for everyone”. The student themselves also had a greater responsibility to pay attention to what they were consuming and make sure their food didn’t come in contact with anyone else.
Today, more and more districts are banning peanut butter to be served by schools in the cafeteria as a precaution. Other schools are providing “peanut free” tables for students with severe reactions. Along with peanuts, the most common food allergies among children are eggs, and milk. Adults are commonly allergic to shellfish. Lauren Kocienski discovered she was allergic to seafood in her late teen years. After ingesting shrimp on a vacation, Kocienski experienced painful indigestion, dizziness, hives, and a difficulty breathing. She was later diagnosed with an allergy to seafood and now makes sure to avoid it at all times. “I was shocked because I’d never had any prior allergies, it was really out of the blue”, says Kocienski. Assistant Professor of Nursing and Nutrition at SUNY Plattsburgh, Jorunn Gran-Henriksen, says that as much as 1/3 of all adults believe they have a food allergy. Of that amount only 1-2% of them have been diagnosed with a true food allergy. The rate for children is between 4-6%. With the growing rates of people dealing with food allergies, thankfully there are plenty of healthy and safe alternatives. Jerimy Blowers, director of health education services at SUNY Plattsburgh, explains one of the benefits of allergy research- “The good news is that the awareness of allergies has created a larger food market (for example, gluten-free products) not widely available even a decade ago”.
Surprisingly, an individual can discover a new food allergy at anytime. They can also outgrow an allergy from childhood to adulthood- for reasons which are still for the most part unknown. When it comes to food allergies there is no cure, but with the proper care and education, it is possible to live a safe and healthy lifestyle.
As the seasons change, it’s easy to spot a person with seasonal allergy symptoms. The sneezing, congestion, and itchy-eyes are clear signs of the allergies. For people dealing with a food allergy, its not as simple as taking an over the counter drug to ease their symptoms, in fact food allergies can be extremely painful and even fatal. Today, more and more people are reporting food allergies- symptoms which may be mistaken for food intolerance. The symptoms of food allergies in comparison with food intolerance were recently reviewed in an article in MSNBC. Common misconceptions of what a food allergy actually entails may lead to a misdiagnosis if not treated properly.
Food intolerance can lead to nausea, indigestion, skin rashes, and trouble breathing- common misconceptions for an allergy. The key difference however, is that food intolerance, although uncomfortable to deal with, is not seriously dangerous because it does not directly deal with the individual’s immune system.
A food allergy does affect the immune system directly. When a substance is ingested which the individual is allergic to, it triggers the immune system to go into overdrive causing serious reactions which can be fatal. Symptoms of food allergies include swelling of the mouth and airway, hives, dizziness, and fainting are also common. Of course depending on the individual the reaction can differ- a highly sensitive allergy can be triggered by even the smallest amount of food. Similarly, the timing of the reaction can also differ for each individual. A reaction can occur up to two hours after ingesting the food; on the other hand a person could show immediate signs of a reaction after eating. The key to dealing with food allergies seems clear- avoidance. But the problem is that people aren’t always aware of what they’re actually consuming. A person dealing with a food allergy not only needs to be aware of what they’re consuming, but also where the product was made. Cross-contamination is common with food allergies. For example, a person with a severe reaction to peanuts should also pay attention to foods which may be processed in the same location as the nuts. The smallest amount, though accidental, could trigger a severe reaction. Dr. JoAnn Gleeson-Kreig, associate professor of nursing at SUNY Plattsburgh, explains that a food allergy can be serious without even ingesting the food. Fruit used in many hair products such as shampoo could trigger a skin reaction which can be just as serious.
Jake Dumas recalls a classmate who dealt with their food allergy on a daily basis. In elementary school a classmate had a severe allergy to peanuts. “In the beginning of the year our teacher explained the student’s situation and asked all students to understand her request for no peanut products in the classroom, as a way of making it a safe environment for everyone”. The student themselves also had a greater responsibility to pay attention to what they were consuming and make sure their food didn’t come in contact with anyone else.
Today, more and more districts are banning peanut butter to be served by schools in the cafeteria as a precaution. Other schools are providing “peanut free” tables for students with severe reactions. Along with peanuts, the most common food allergies among children are eggs, and milk. Adults are commonly allergic to shellfish. Lauren Kocienski discovered she was allergic to seafood in her late teen years. After ingesting shrimp on a vacation, Kocienski experienced painful indigestion, dizziness, hives, and a difficulty breathing. She was later diagnosed with an allergy to seafood and now makes sure to avoid it at all times. “I was shocked because I’d never had any prior allergies, it was really out of the blue”, says Kocienski. Assistant Professor of Nursing and Nutrition at SUNY Plattsburgh, Jorunn Gran-Henriksen, says that as much as 1/3 of all adults believe they have a food allergy. Of that amount only 1-2% of them have been diagnosed with a true food allergy. The rate for children is between 4-6%. With the growing rates of people dealing with food allergies, thankfully there are plenty of healthy and safe alternatives. Jerimy Blowers, director of health education services at SUNY Plattsburgh, explains one of the benefits of allergy research- “The good news is that the awareness of allergies has created a larger food market (for example, gluten-free products) not widely available even a decade ago”.
Surprisingly, an individual can discover a new food allergy at anytime. They can also outgrow an allergy from childhood to adulthood- for reasons which are still for the most part unknown. When it comes to food allergies there is no cure, but with the proper care and education, it is possible to live a safe and healthy lifestyle.
Tourism down worldwide yet up in New York
By Cassandra Morrissey
The Adirondack Park is a natural land mass which sprawls across New York State for over nine thousand miles. The park, which was originally created in 1882 to help guarantee public land will be ‘forever wild’, creates a unique setting in the heart of New York State. The wide variety of recreational activities, beautiful scenery, and natural beauty makes the Adirondacks a natural tourist attraction. Although the recent economy has caused the majority of tourist attractions to suffer, the Adirondack Park is flourishing.
According to the World Tourism Barometer, tourism is down nearly 8 percent this year, forcing regions to cope with less money and jobs. New York has gone against this trend, and seen a nine percent increase in tourism since 2007. Many of the visitors travel to the Adirondack region, looking for a refreshing retreat. Each year, over 10 million people journey to the region spending over $1 billion. They come from all over the world, supporting jobs, contributing millions of dollars in taxes, and influencing land development. According to Global Travel Industry News, the economy is still pushing people to travel, but by different methods. Driving to tourist attractions has become more popular because it’s cheaper and people find it safer.
Michele Powers, Vice President of marketing at the Chamber of Commerce credits this trend to the regions high attraction, primarily due to its ideal location.
“The Adirondacks in particular are doing well with the down economy because we are a drive-in market. People are used to driving to visit, so it hasn’t really changed. People are willing to drive for an affordable stay, which is what they get here,” Powers said.
Another important aspect helping tourism in the Adirondacks is the overall cost of a day trip to the region. When tourists come to the Adirondacks, they looking for an inexpensive getaway from their daily routine; and they often find what they are looking for. Based on Travelocity.com, staying in a hotel in the Adirondacks is nearly half as expensive as in major cities, such as New York or Boston. Nancy Church, chair of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Plattsburgh State, recognizes the trend.
“After 9/11, people thought travel was down, but it wasn’t. Even when the recession hit, people were still travelling. They realized it’s easier and cheaper to stay closer and do a weekend trip or a day trip, instead of going far away,” Church said.
Although cheap getaways are the most popular way to visit, the unique location of the Adirondacks offers visitors multiple choices in recreation. Whether it’s sailing down Lake Champlain on a private boat or visiting Lake Placid, travelers can choose from a number of different types of escapes. Beverly Jackson in particular enjoys the wilderness aspect of the region.
“It’s nice knowing you have your own space, and people aren’t living right on top of you, it’s peaceful,” Jackson said.
Ron Ofner, Executive Director of the Adirondack regional tourism council, also recognizes the Adirondacks attraction to tourist.
“ People like it here because you can be out in the wilderness for an entire day, but still come back at night and go to a great dinner, or stay in a four star hotel. Tourists want that, and the region provides that to people,” Ofner said.
The ability to drive into the region and inexpensive cost boosts the attraction for the Adirondacks, but a main factor drawing people to the region is the overall quality of life. Within miles of each other, people go to work, visit Olympic arenas, hike mountains, or enjoy their families. According to Keith McKeever, Public Information officer for the New York Park Agency, it’s an all encompassing park.
“What’s unique about the park is that it’s a people park. It’s a place where people come to play, live, and work,” McKeever said.
“It’s the mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and the beautiful scenery that entices people to come to our region. People give up jobs to begin life here, it’s just a win-win location,” Powers said.
There are currently over 130 thousand people that live in the Adirondacks year round. The number is expected to increase drastically in the near future. Some people believe it’s because miles of land is undeveloped, people are seeking a return to a less developed, greener lifestyle. This lifestyle may seem to be in reach within the park. While others, think it’s because of the honest, hard working people that live in the Adirondacks. Although, people like Jackson simply believe it’s because of what the region offers.
“I love it here. I can’t imagine a day without looking out my back door and seeing the mountains and smelling the fresh air. It’s truly a beautiful place,” Jackson said.
The Adirondack Park is a natural land mass which sprawls across New York State for over nine thousand miles. The park, which was originally created in 1882 to help guarantee public land will be ‘forever wild’, creates a unique setting in the heart of New York State. The wide variety of recreational activities, beautiful scenery, and natural beauty makes the Adirondacks a natural tourist attraction. Although the recent economy has caused the majority of tourist attractions to suffer, the Adirondack Park is flourishing.
According to the World Tourism Barometer, tourism is down nearly 8 percent this year, forcing regions to cope with less money and jobs. New York has gone against this trend, and seen a nine percent increase in tourism since 2007. Many of the visitors travel to the Adirondack region, looking for a refreshing retreat. Each year, over 10 million people journey to the region spending over $1 billion. They come from all over the world, supporting jobs, contributing millions of dollars in taxes, and influencing land development. According to Global Travel Industry News, the economy is still pushing people to travel, but by different methods. Driving to tourist attractions has become more popular because it’s cheaper and people find it safer.
Michele Powers, Vice President of marketing at the Chamber of Commerce credits this trend to the regions high attraction, primarily due to its ideal location.
“The Adirondacks in particular are doing well with the down economy because we are a drive-in market. People are used to driving to visit, so it hasn’t really changed. People are willing to drive for an affordable stay, which is what they get here,” Powers said.
Another important aspect helping tourism in the Adirondacks is the overall cost of a day trip to the region. When tourists come to the Adirondacks, they looking for an inexpensive getaway from their daily routine; and they often find what they are looking for. Based on Travelocity.com, staying in a hotel in the Adirondacks is nearly half as expensive as in major cities, such as New York or Boston. Nancy Church, chair of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Plattsburgh State, recognizes the trend.
“After 9/11, people thought travel was down, but it wasn’t. Even when the recession hit, people were still travelling. They realized it’s easier and cheaper to stay closer and do a weekend trip or a day trip, instead of going far away,” Church said.
Although cheap getaways are the most popular way to visit, the unique location of the Adirondacks offers visitors multiple choices in recreation. Whether it’s sailing down Lake Champlain on a private boat or visiting Lake Placid, travelers can choose from a number of different types of escapes. Beverly Jackson in particular enjoys the wilderness aspect of the region.
“It’s nice knowing you have your own space, and people aren’t living right on top of you, it’s peaceful,” Jackson said.
Ron Ofner, Executive Director of the Adirondack regional tourism council, also recognizes the Adirondacks attraction to tourist.
“ People like it here because you can be out in the wilderness for an entire day, but still come back at night and go to a great dinner, or stay in a four star hotel. Tourists want that, and the region provides that to people,” Ofner said.
The ability to drive into the region and inexpensive cost boosts the attraction for the Adirondacks, but a main factor drawing people to the region is the overall quality of life. Within miles of each other, people go to work, visit Olympic arenas, hike mountains, or enjoy their families. According to Keith McKeever, Public Information officer for the New York Park Agency, it’s an all encompassing park.
“What’s unique about the park is that it’s a people park. It’s a place where people come to play, live, and work,” McKeever said.
“It’s the mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and the beautiful scenery that entices people to come to our region. People give up jobs to begin life here, it’s just a win-win location,” Powers said.
There are currently over 130 thousand people that live in the Adirondacks year round. The number is expected to increase drastically in the near future. Some people believe it’s because miles of land is undeveloped, people are seeking a return to a less developed, greener lifestyle. This lifestyle may seem to be in reach within the park. While others, think it’s because of the honest, hard working people that live in the Adirondacks. Although, people like Jackson simply believe it’s because of what the region offers.
“I love it here. I can’t imagine a day without looking out my back door and seeing the mountains and smelling the fresh air. It’s truly a beautiful place,” Jackson said.
Is fluoride a choice?
By Kevin Stump
“I don’t want the government putting anything into my water, unless its scotch,” said a concerned community resident at the Plattsburgh City Common Council meeting last Thursday in regards to whether or not the city should continue to have fluoride in their water.
The decision to fluoridate public water rests with the city, although it is recommended by the Health Department it is not a government mandate. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. residents who get water from public systems have fluoridated water and it is considered to be a benefit to communities by major health institutions like the Center for Disease Control, Health Department, and the Surgeon General.
According to the Center for Disease Control, community water fluoridation is considered to be one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. In a report issued by the Center for Disease Control, for every $ 1 invested in the fluoridation of water, an average of $ 38 is saved in dental treatment costs per year. However, not everyone believes that fluoride should be a part of the public water, regardless of the claimed benefits.
“Fluoridation is as divisive as abortion, we have been socialized to believe it’s the right thing to do,” said Amy Valentine, City Councilor of Ward V.
Valentine started to research fluoride years ago and made a commitment with her family to decrease their use of it and have been encouraging others to do so ever since. Her resolution to cease the fluoridation of public drinking water in the city was denied Thursday evening at the city of Plattsburgh Common Council meeting in a two to four vote.
One of the points written up in Valentines resolution was questioning the ethics behind public fluoridation. “Because it is considered medication (over the counter drug), we are involuntarily drugging people without their consent. This is not common practice in the medical field,” said Valentine.
“The ethics behind the decision is an interesting concern,” said James Calnon, City Councilor of Ward IV who was one of the four that voted Valentines resolution down.
“I voted against the resolution because I am not an expert and need to trust the EPA, CDC, Health Department, and the last five Surgeon Generals,” said Calnon who said he isn’t qualified to make such a vote that would challenge the experts.
“The research that has been done is not terribly extensive and there is evidence that supports the fluoridation of public water can have harmful affects,” said Richard Robbins, SUNY Plattsburgh Anthropology professor and community resident who opposes the fluoridation of public water.
“I am sure it will come up again. Most other industrial countries in Europe don’t use it, and many communities like Burlington and Long Island have removed it (fluoride) from their public water system,” said Robbins.
Robbins understands that the councilors were not qualified to make the decision of whether or not fluoride should be taken out of the city water supply. “There are already 40 to 50 toxic chemicals in our body, there is not enough testing or research that study what the effect of combining toxic chemicals will have in the long term,” said Robbins
“I am always skeptical to just take the governments word for it,” said Greg Colucci, SUNY Plattsburgh senior and environmental science major. “What about lead being approved by the federal government and then years later it has been determined unsafe. People need to be cautious when it comes to mass injection of chemicals by the government,” said Colucci.
“I have no idea why people are so against it (putting fluoride in the public water system), it boggles my mind that professionals and experts can stand up against this,” said Susan Thew, senior public health sanitarian for Clinton County Health Department. “Fluoride is not a medication, it is a supplement. People are not being involuntarily drugged and it has proven to be effective throughout the country,” Thew said.
“I don’t want the government putting anything into my water, unless its scotch,” said a concerned community resident at the Plattsburgh City Common Council meeting last Thursday in regards to whether or not the city should continue to have fluoride in their water.
The decision to fluoridate public water rests with the city, although it is recommended by the Health Department it is not a government mandate. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. residents who get water from public systems have fluoridated water and it is considered to be a benefit to communities by major health institutions like the Center for Disease Control, Health Department, and the Surgeon General.
According to the Center for Disease Control, community water fluoridation is considered to be one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. In a report issued by the Center for Disease Control, for every $ 1 invested in the fluoridation of water, an average of $ 38 is saved in dental treatment costs per year. However, not everyone believes that fluoride should be a part of the public water, regardless of the claimed benefits.
“Fluoridation is as divisive as abortion, we have been socialized to believe it’s the right thing to do,” said Amy Valentine, City Councilor of Ward V.
Valentine started to research fluoride years ago and made a commitment with her family to decrease their use of it and have been encouraging others to do so ever since. Her resolution to cease the fluoridation of public drinking water in the city was denied Thursday evening at the city of Plattsburgh Common Council meeting in a two to four vote.
One of the points written up in Valentines resolution was questioning the ethics behind public fluoridation. “Because it is considered medication (over the counter drug), we are involuntarily drugging people without their consent. This is not common practice in the medical field,” said Valentine.
“The ethics behind the decision is an interesting concern,” said James Calnon, City Councilor of Ward IV who was one of the four that voted Valentines resolution down.
“I voted against the resolution because I am not an expert and need to trust the EPA, CDC, Health Department, and the last five Surgeon Generals,” said Calnon who said he isn’t qualified to make such a vote that would challenge the experts.
“The research that has been done is not terribly extensive and there is evidence that supports the fluoridation of public water can have harmful affects,” said Richard Robbins, SUNY Plattsburgh Anthropology professor and community resident who opposes the fluoridation of public water.
“I am sure it will come up again. Most other industrial countries in Europe don’t use it, and many communities like Burlington and Long Island have removed it (fluoride) from their public water system,” said Robbins.
Robbins understands that the councilors were not qualified to make the decision of whether or not fluoride should be taken out of the city water supply. “There are already 40 to 50 toxic chemicals in our body, there is not enough testing or research that study what the effect of combining toxic chemicals will have in the long term,” said Robbins
“I am always skeptical to just take the governments word for it,” said Greg Colucci, SUNY Plattsburgh senior and environmental science major. “What about lead being approved by the federal government and then years later it has been determined unsafe. People need to be cautious when it comes to mass injection of chemicals by the government,” said Colucci.
“I have no idea why people are so against it (putting fluoride in the public water system), it boggles my mind that professionals and experts can stand up against this,” said Susan Thew, senior public health sanitarian for Clinton County Health Department. “Fluoride is not a medication, it is a supplement. People are not being involuntarily drugged and it has proven to be effective throughout the country,” Thew said.
New home for Lyon Mountain firefighters
By Zachery Lashway
The building the Lyon Mountain Fire Department has called home for decades will soon be vacant.
The District is responsible for approximately 2000 people and almost 500 homes that reside in Lyon Mountain, Standish, Chazy Lake, the upper Chateaugay Lake and Merrill will be getting a new home.
There are 30 volunteers on the roster at the fire department. There is one paramedic, three tech 600s, one tech 500 and four basic EMTs that make up the Lyon Mountain Fire Department.
The Chief of the Lyon Mountain Fire District, Billy Durnin says, “Things just don’t fit anymore. The equipment is now bigger than ever, you need the space and space is our biggest issue.”
“The wiring in the old building is antiquated, the electric system is disheveled, it burns between 50 to 70 gallons of fuel oil a day during the winter and the overhead doors are too small. It is cheaper to replace it, not repair it,” says, the Lyon Mountain Fire District Chairperson of Commissioners, Bob Weeks.
The new building is a $975 thousand category four steel building that is being built adjacent to the existing building. A category four steel structure is capable of housing people during a natural disaster. A garage made of steel would be a category one or two steel structure. This shows how immense and sturdy the new building is.
“The design of the new building is a box within a box design,” says Weeks.
According to Weeks the new building is much bigger than the old building, more practical and much more efficient.
“The new building has triple-pane windows in the overhead doors, closed cell foam insulation that is made from soybean and recycled soda bottles, a modern alarm system, a phone system with wireless capabilities, a 99 percent propane in-floor efficiency heating system, a self start generator and a dry sprinkler system. Everything is efficient. The new building will cost less to insure than the old building, 30 percent less,” says Weeks.
Durnin says the new building will have offices, privacy, place to shower in case of exposure and a weight room. The present building has one office, hardly any storage space, no shower or a weight room.
The community will benefit from the new building in various ways says Durnin and Weeks.
“Too many to count,” says, Weeks. “The overall cost for the building overtime will be much less than our existing one. It could be a command center in case of a natural disaster, it can sit up to 120 people at a given function and it is built to accommodate new equipment for the next 50 years.”
In addition to all the perks the new building has to offer, Weeks says, it is big enough to accommodate future growth while remaining fuel efficient and it has been built in half the cost of other fire department buildings in the area.
“If it doesn’t work in 50 years, why build it,” says Weeks.
The new building sounds like it is a much needed investment, however, not everyone within the Lyon Mountain Fire District agrees.
According to Weeks in September 2007 the motion to move forward with the project was voted on and passed unanimously five to nothing. In December 2007 people took to the polls, 184 people voted in favor of the new fire house while 102 individuals voted against the new building.
There are some people within the district think a new building was needed but the district went overboard in their budget. Other individuals thought the district should have just repaired the old building. Majority of all the people opposed to the new building think their taxes are going to sky rocket in the future. Individuals were willing to explain why they were against the new building, however, none were willing to give their name.
“People are against it because they lack information, they have been misinformed. But the lack of education is the biggest thing that hurts us,” says Weeks.
Durnin says people are against it because they do not believe it is justified.
“Some people are just negative. They are opposed to be opposed. Some are against it because they don’t know anything about the fire department. They are stagnant, negative, anti no matter what the situation is,” says Durnin. “Actually the cost of the new fire station will only cost the tax payer 40 cents on a $1000.”
On the flip side of things some people within the district are in favor for the new building.
Retired Chief of the Lyon Mountain Fire Department, Frank Woodward is in favor of the new building.
“I am for it. I assume the people in charge knew what they were doing. I think the people that are opposed to it are afraid of their taxes going up. But I do think building a new fire house will save the tax payers in the long run,” says Woodward.
Guy and Lana Facteau are retired, lifelong residents of Lyon Mountain. Both are also in favor of the new fire department building.
“I am for it because it is necessary. This community in particular is made up of 90 percent senior citizens. It’s imperative for them to have an effective service,” says Lana. “Some people don’t like change and that’s their problem, the building could have been fully paid for and they still wouldn’t have wanted it.”
Guy says he looks forward to having a new fire house.
“It’s going to be beneficial to the community in a lot of ways. It is going to be a great place to gather for community events, and town meetings.”
Both Weeks and Durnin says once the new building is completed and everything is moved from the old building into the new building there will be a public auction on anything that is worth money from the old building. The money generated from the auction will be used to tear the old building down.
“The demolition will be self supporting,” says Durnin.
According to Weeks the new building is expected to be completed in mid February.
“Communities evolve around schools, legions and fire departments so hopefully in the future the new Lyon Mountain Fire District building will generate community comrade and spirit,” says Durnin.
The building the Lyon Mountain Fire Department has called home for decades will soon be vacant.
The District is responsible for approximately 2000 people and almost 500 homes that reside in Lyon Mountain, Standish, Chazy Lake, the upper Chateaugay Lake and Merrill will be getting a new home.
There are 30 volunteers on the roster at the fire department. There is one paramedic, three tech 600s, one tech 500 and four basic EMTs that make up the Lyon Mountain Fire Department.
The Chief of the Lyon Mountain Fire District, Billy Durnin says, “Things just don’t fit anymore. The equipment is now bigger than ever, you need the space and space is our biggest issue.”
“The wiring in the old building is antiquated, the electric system is disheveled, it burns between 50 to 70 gallons of fuel oil a day during the winter and the overhead doors are too small. It is cheaper to replace it, not repair it,” says, the Lyon Mountain Fire District Chairperson of Commissioners, Bob Weeks.
The new building is a $975 thousand category four steel building that is being built adjacent to the existing building. A category four steel structure is capable of housing people during a natural disaster. A garage made of steel would be a category one or two steel structure. This shows how immense and sturdy the new building is.
“The design of the new building is a box within a box design,” says Weeks.
According to Weeks the new building is much bigger than the old building, more practical and much more efficient.
“The new building has triple-pane windows in the overhead doors, closed cell foam insulation that is made from soybean and recycled soda bottles, a modern alarm system, a phone system with wireless capabilities, a 99 percent propane in-floor efficiency heating system, a self start generator and a dry sprinkler system. Everything is efficient. The new building will cost less to insure than the old building, 30 percent less,” says Weeks.
Durnin says the new building will have offices, privacy, place to shower in case of exposure and a weight room. The present building has one office, hardly any storage space, no shower or a weight room.
The community will benefit from the new building in various ways says Durnin and Weeks.
“Too many to count,” says, Weeks. “The overall cost for the building overtime will be much less than our existing one. It could be a command center in case of a natural disaster, it can sit up to 120 people at a given function and it is built to accommodate new equipment for the next 50 years.”
In addition to all the perks the new building has to offer, Weeks says, it is big enough to accommodate future growth while remaining fuel efficient and it has been built in half the cost of other fire department buildings in the area.
“If it doesn’t work in 50 years, why build it,” says Weeks.
The new building sounds like it is a much needed investment, however, not everyone within the Lyon Mountain Fire District agrees.
According to Weeks in September 2007 the motion to move forward with the project was voted on and passed unanimously five to nothing. In December 2007 people took to the polls, 184 people voted in favor of the new fire house while 102 individuals voted against the new building.
There are some people within the district think a new building was needed but the district went overboard in their budget. Other individuals thought the district should have just repaired the old building. Majority of all the people opposed to the new building think their taxes are going to sky rocket in the future. Individuals were willing to explain why they were against the new building, however, none were willing to give their name.
“People are against it because they lack information, they have been misinformed. But the lack of education is the biggest thing that hurts us,” says Weeks.
Durnin says people are against it because they do not believe it is justified.
“Some people are just negative. They are opposed to be opposed. Some are against it because they don’t know anything about the fire department. They are stagnant, negative, anti no matter what the situation is,” says Durnin. “Actually the cost of the new fire station will only cost the tax payer 40 cents on a $1000.”
On the flip side of things some people within the district are in favor for the new building.
Retired Chief of the Lyon Mountain Fire Department, Frank Woodward is in favor of the new building.
“I am for it. I assume the people in charge knew what they were doing. I think the people that are opposed to it are afraid of their taxes going up. But I do think building a new fire house will save the tax payers in the long run,” says Woodward.
Guy and Lana Facteau are retired, lifelong residents of Lyon Mountain. Both are also in favor of the new fire department building.
“I am for it because it is necessary. This community in particular is made up of 90 percent senior citizens. It’s imperative for them to have an effective service,” says Lana. “Some people don’t like change and that’s their problem, the building could have been fully paid for and they still wouldn’t have wanted it.”
Guy says he looks forward to having a new fire house.
“It’s going to be beneficial to the community in a lot of ways. It is going to be a great place to gather for community events, and town meetings.”
Both Weeks and Durnin says once the new building is completed and everything is moved from the old building into the new building there will be a public auction on anything that is worth money from the old building. The money generated from the auction will be used to tear the old building down.
“The demolition will be self supporting,” says Durnin.
According to Weeks the new building is expected to be completed in mid February.
“Communities evolve around schools, legions and fire departments so hopefully in the future the new Lyon Mountain Fire District building will generate community comrade and spirit,” says Durnin.
Kids improve life satisfaction for married couples
By Jon Hochschartner
Bearing children boosts happiness among married couples, but not for those who haven't tied the knot, acording to a recent study by Dr. Luis Angeles from the University of Glasgow. His research, which was originally published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, has since garned much international publicity.
Locally, those in the North Country seemed to agree with his findings.
Alison Riley-Clark is a registered nurse and health teacher, as well as a married mother of three. She said having children improved her life satisfaction.
"I don’t know if it’s a biological drive or a psychosocial drive, but most people, after they get married, that I know, think about when they’re going to have children," she said.
When children are young, much of the joy of parenting comes from simply watching your kids develop, Riley-Clark said.
"It’s amazing to watch what happens with a baby from birth to age 1, and then you watch them develop a personality their own preferences their own interests, and you feel that you play a significant role in being a positive influence in their life," she said. "It's balanced by the recognition that you could also be a negative influence and that’s the stress of parenting."
As kids grow older, Riley-Clark said one of the biggest benefits of parenting comes from the unconditionally loving bond that forms between parent and child.
"The other part of it is that it’s a lot of fun to have a family and do activities together," she said. "It's a built in social group."
Jeff Earl, a married father of two, said having children boosted his life satisfaction, despite the immense challenges it presented.
"All of a sudden, I’m responsible for someone else who has no survival skills other than a heartbeat, respiration and a learning curve," Earl said. "It makes everything more real. It made me learn more about myself. I was forced to learn things about myself that I probably wouldn’t have learned any other way."
He said he didn't think it was possible to explain the bond formed between a parent and child at the moment of birth to someone who had not experienced it.
"It’s amazingly intense and it just flat out changes you," Earl said. "I love watching my kids grow up, and I love being with them. It’s not a negative thing; it’s just such an all encompassing thing."
Libby Doan, a married mother of two, said having children boosted her life satisfaction and brought new meaning to her life.
"For me, it brought a new dimension and an experience I'd never had before," Doan said. "It's been incredibly purposeful. When making decisions about someone else's life, it made me examine and really develop what I believe--like a value system. Because it's like you're always being watched. I like feeling responsible or playing a part in helping children have a good life experience."
Mike Tholen, a married father of two, seemed to agree.
"It improves your life satisfaction immensely," he said. "With your children, very quickly, all of a sudden you can’t imagine life without them. There are challenges to being a parent, but the things you get back are better because you go through those challenging times."
Bearing children boosts happiness among married couples, but not for those who haven't tied the knot, acording to a recent study by Dr. Luis Angeles from the University of Glasgow. His research, which was originally published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, has since garned much international publicity.
Locally, those in the North Country seemed to agree with his findings.
Alison Riley-Clark is a registered nurse and health teacher, as well as a married mother of three. She said having children improved her life satisfaction.
"I don’t know if it’s a biological drive or a psychosocial drive, but most people, after they get married, that I know, think about when they’re going to have children," she said.
When children are young, much of the joy of parenting comes from simply watching your kids develop, Riley-Clark said.
"It’s amazing to watch what happens with a baby from birth to age 1, and then you watch them develop a personality their own preferences their own interests, and you feel that you play a significant role in being a positive influence in their life," she said. "It's balanced by the recognition that you could also be a negative influence and that’s the stress of parenting."
As kids grow older, Riley-Clark said one of the biggest benefits of parenting comes from the unconditionally loving bond that forms between parent and child.
"The other part of it is that it’s a lot of fun to have a family and do activities together," she said. "It's a built in social group."
Jeff Earl, a married father of two, said having children boosted his life satisfaction, despite the immense challenges it presented.
"All of a sudden, I’m responsible for someone else who has no survival skills other than a heartbeat, respiration and a learning curve," Earl said. "It makes everything more real. It made me learn more about myself. I was forced to learn things about myself that I probably wouldn’t have learned any other way."
He said he didn't think it was possible to explain the bond formed between a parent and child at the moment of birth to someone who had not experienced it.
"It’s amazingly intense and it just flat out changes you," Earl said. "I love watching my kids grow up, and I love being with them. It’s not a negative thing; it’s just such an all encompassing thing."
Libby Doan, a married mother of two, said having children boosted her life satisfaction and brought new meaning to her life.
"For me, it brought a new dimension and an experience I'd never had before," Doan said. "It's been incredibly purposeful. When making decisions about someone else's life, it made me examine and really develop what I believe--like a value system. Because it's like you're always being watched. I like feeling responsible or playing a part in helping children have a good life experience."
Mike Tholen, a married father of two, seemed to agree.
"It improves your life satisfaction immensely," he said. "With your children, very quickly, all of a sudden you can’t imagine life without them. There are challenges to being a parent, but the things you get back are better because you go through those challenging times."
New hate crimes bill stirs controversy
By Patricia Fifield
President Barack Obama signed a bill on Oct. 28 that extended federal hate crimes to protect those that are discriminated against because of gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This bill, entitled the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the honor of the two hate crime victims, is hearing cheers and jeers from religious leaders.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is one religion that supports the new hate crimes bill and also has an accepting stance on gay marriage. President of the UU Fellowship of Plattsburgh, Jo Ellen Miano, said that their faith is built upon a set of principles. “We affirm and promote the inherent dignity and worth of every person. We affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations. We affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all,” she said. The principles of the UU Fellowship are embedded with equality for everyone, which would suggest they support those of different sexual orientations and gender identities.
Chair of the Social Action Committee, Michelle Ouellette, said that as a whole, the Unitarian Universalist church has a history of supporting civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Ouellette said the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) celebrated the passage of the hate crimes bill signed by President Obama. Reverend William Sinkford, president of the UUA said, " ... I assure you that Unitarian Universalists will continue to advocate for full rights for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. We stand on the side of love."
“In fact, more than a decade ago, in 1996, our denomination voted to advocate for marriage equity for same-sex couples,” said Ouellette. Currently the UU Fellowship of Plattsburgh is working with the social action committee to gain the status of a “Welcoming congregation.” To achieve this the church must provide religious education that incorporates LGBT life issues, welcome LGBT into the congregation, and establish contact with local LGBT groups and offer support for their cause. Ouellette said that they will be voting on the progression of these steps, but the support is great. “…My guess is that it will not be long before we gain full Welcoming Congregation status,” she said.
Although the UUA fully supports the new hate crimes bill including protection for LGBT, some religions do not. The Catholic Church usually tends to lean toward the side against homosexuality. When the hate crimes bill was passed, some feared that religious speech against homosexuality could be prosecuted as a hate crime. After several attempts to contact local Catholic churches the calls were never returned. “It doesn’t surprise me,” said Jamey Henricks of Plattsburgh, “they’re probably embarrassed to say what they really think,” he said. Henricks, a proud Gay and a humble Catholic, believes the Catholic Church does not want to admit their hatred for LGBT. “In my experience, most of the conservative ones really hate us,” he continued, “So I don’t see why they would support the hate crimes bill.”
Previous hate crimes laws allowed the Justice Department to prosecute crime motivated only by race, color, national origin, and religion. According to the FBI, there were 1,460 hate crime offenses based on sexual orientation in 2007, which is up from 1,415 in 2006.
President Barack Obama signed a bill on Oct. 28 that extended federal hate crimes to protect those that are discriminated against because of gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This bill, entitled the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in the honor of the two hate crime victims, is hearing cheers and jeers from religious leaders.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is one religion that supports the new hate crimes bill and also has an accepting stance on gay marriage. President of the UU Fellowship of Plattsburgh, Jo Ellen Miano, said that their faith is built upon a set of principles. “We affirm and promote the inherent dignity and worth of every person. We affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations. We affirm and promote the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all,” she said. The principles of the UU Fellowship are embedded with equality for everyone, which would suggest they support those of different sexual orientations and gender identities.
Chair of the Social Action Committee, Michelle Ouellette, said that as a whole, the Unitarian Universalist church has a history of supporting civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Ouellette said the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) celebrated the passage of the hate crimes bill signed by President Obama. Reverend William Sinkford, president of the UUA said, " ... I assure you that Unitarian Universalists will continue to advocate for full rights for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. We stand on the side of love."
“In fact, more than a decade ago, in 1996, our denomination voted to advocate for marriage equity for same-sex couples,” said Ouellette. Currently the UU Fellowship of Plattsburgh is working with the social action committee to gain the status of a “Welcoming congregation.” To achieve this the church must provide religious education that incorporates LGBT life issues, welcome LGBT into the congregation, and establish contact with local LGBT groups and offer support for their cause. Ouellette said that they will be voting on the progression of these steps, but the support is great. “…My guess is that it will not be long before we gain full Welcoming Congregation status,” she said.
Although the UUA fully supports the new hate crimes bill including protection for LGBT, some religions do not. The Catholic Church usually tends to lean toward the side against homosexuality. When the hate crimes bill was passed, some feared that religious speech against homosexuality could be prosecuted as a hate crime. After several attempts to contact local Catholic churches the calls were never returned. “It doesn’t surprise me,” said Jamey Henricks of Plattsburgh, “they’re probably embarrassed to say what they really think,” he said. Henricks, a proud Gay and a humble Catholic, believes the Catholic Church does not want to admit their hatred for LGBT. “In my experience, most of the conservative ones really hate us,” he continued, “So I don’t see why they would support the hate crimes bill.”
Previous hate crimes laws allowed the Justice Department to prosecute crime motivated only by race, color, national origin, and religion. According to the FBI, there were 1,460 hate crime offenses based on sexual orientation in 2007, which is up from 1,415 in 2006.
2-year colleges ease financial burden, enrollment up
By Renee Cumm
As the Universities in New York State raise the cost of tuition, students will prefer to attend 2-year colleges to get a cheaper start on their college degree. The enrollment rates in 2-year colleges have been increasing partly due to the tough economic times according to, local neighboring colleges.
“Family financial considerations are important”, president of Plattsburgh State University, Dr. John Ettling said, regarding college applicants. PSU maintains their enrollment on a fixed percentage by admitting less than half of the students who have completed an application according to, Ettling.
He said PSU still encourages community college transfer students and receive most of their transfers from Clinton Community College.
Students who transfer are more prepared and they “Have got the adolescent angst out of their system,” Ettling said.
Students can benefit from attending a 2- year college by saving money, and they can attend college while living at home with their parents, “Because of the national recession a college close to home costs less and students can still work,” Ettling said.
The cost of tuition at North Country Community College is $1,000 less than PSU and any student that lives within a 30 to 50 mile radius could commute from home, which is a common convenience for local students, according to vice president of student services, Ed Trathen.
President Obama signed a stimulus package into law last February. He appointed $787 billion to increase the federal support for job training programs at community colleges. The aide would help people who have been laid off or can’t find work. They can receive funds to attend 2-year colleges and receive work re-training and job placement. In an effort to reduce the rate of unemployment could cause the already increasing rate of enrollment at community colleges to escalate. Obama has planned for 5 million more 2-year graduates by 2020 according to, Inside Higher Ed news.
“There has been a stagnant economy in the North Country and the jobs that are available require an associate’s degree,” Trathen said.
For North Country Community College the enrollment was up about 12 percent this year according to, Trathen.
“Historically they (enrollment percentages) have always gone up during tough economic times,” Traven said.
A large amount of unemployed workers were coming from St. Lawrence County after the closing of the General Motors plant in Messina. He said many of those workers are eligible for the stimulus money according to, Trathen.
NCCC currently receives $2675 dollars for every full-time student, and that budget could be reduced in Gov. David Patterson’s effort to close the current state budget gap according to, Trathen.
Clinton community College has also had a 10 percent increase in their student enrollment. “Community colleges are in a growth mode across the state,” vice president of student services, Stephen St. Onge said. “People have less money and get a better value when they go to a community college”.
Community colleges such as, NCCC and CCC normally encourage student population growth, and they work together with their local One Work Source to support people who are unemployed to receive funds to attend the job re-training programs.
“Community colleges are engines for local economic growth,” St. Onge Said.
Mary Dupree is an employment counselor at One Work Source. She said there are many people in Clinton County that are on unemployment, and the state of NY really encourages those people to receive the work training. The stimulus money is only funding programs for high job demands according to, Dupree.
“There has been a decrease in a lot of manufacturing jobs,” Mary Dupree said. “Many businesses can’t stay a-float and they have to scale back or close down”.
One Work Source regularly receives federal funds for workers but over the past few years they have been receiving less money and the government’s stimulus money has been a “big boost” according to, employment and training counselor, Kelly Smart.
Around 225 people in Clinton County have received the extra funds, and the stimulus money for training has been “exhausted,” Smart said.
When people heard about the money they started pouring in to receive help. “You wouldn’t believe how many companies whose work goes over seas and they are closing because of it,” Smart said.
Although many workers have received funds, it hasn’t currently affected the local community colleges. “I didn’t affect us this year,” Trathen said.
Traven said NCCC has never exceeded their limit of 10,000 students in the past and most community colleges have always been able to handle any capacity that they have been given according to, Trathen.
“Community colleges are considered the last opportunity because of their open admission, and we don’t want to deny students, because there is no other place for them to go,” he said.
As the Universities in New York State raise the cost of tuition, students will prefer to attend 2-year colleges to get a cheaper start on their college degree. The enrollment rates in 2-year colleges have been increasing partly due to the tough economic times according to, local neighboring colleges.
“Family financial considerations are important”, president of Plattsburgh State University, Dr. John Ettling said, regarding college applicants. PSU maintains their enrollment on a fixed percentage by admitting less than half of the students who have completed an application according to, Ettling.
He said PSU still encourages community college transfer students and receive most of their transfers from Clinton Community College.
Students who transfer are more prepared and they “Have got the adolescent angst out of their system,” Ettling said.
Students can benefit from attending a 2- year college by saving money, and they can attend college while living at home with their parents, “Because of the national recession a college close to home costs less and students can still work,” Ettling said.
The cost of tuition at North Country Community College is $1,000 less than PSU and any student that lives within a 30 to 50 mile radius could commute from home, which is a common convenience for local students, according to vice president of student services, Ed Trathen.
President Obama signed a stimulus package into law last February. He appointed $787 billion to increase the federal support for job training programs at community colleges. The aide would help people who have been laid off or can’t find work. They can receive funds to attend 2-year colleges and receive work re-training and job placement. In an effort to reduce the rate of unemployment could cause the already increasing rate of enrollment at community colleges to escalate. Obama has planned for 5 million more 2-year graduates by 2020 according to, Inside Higher Ed news.
“There has been a stagnant economy in the North Country and the jobs that are available require an associate’s degree,” Trathen said.
For North Country Community College the enrollment was up about 12 percent this year according to, Trathen.
“Historically they (enrollment percentages) have always gone up during tough economic times,” Traven said.
A large amount of unemployed workers were coming from St. Lawrence County after the closing of the General Motors plant in Messina. He said many of those workers are eligible for the stimulus money according to, Trathen.
NCCC currently receives $2675 dollars for every full-time student, and that budget could be reduced in Gov. David Patterson’s effort to close the current state budget gap according to, Trathen.
Clinton community College has also had a 10 percent increase in their student enrollment. “Community colleges are in a growth mode across the state,” vice president of student services, Stephen St. Onge said. “People have less money and get a better value when they go to a community college”.
Community colleges such as, NCCC and CCC normally encourage student population growth, and they work together with their local One Work Source to support people who are unemployed to receive funds to attend the job re-training programs.
“Community colleges are engines for local economic growth,” St. Onge Said.
Mary Dupree is an employment counselor at One Work Source. She said there are many people in Clinton County that are on unemployment, and the state of NY really encourages those people to receive the work training. The stimulus money is only funding programs for high job demands according to, Dupree.
“There has been a decrease in a lot of manufacturing jobs,” Mary Dupree said. “Many businesses can’t stay a-float and they have to scale back or close down”.
One Work Source regularly receives federal funds for workers but over the past few years they have been receiving less money and the government’s stimulus money has been a “big boost” according to, employment and training counselor, Kelly Smart.
Around 225 people in Clinton County have received the extra funds, and the stimulus money for training has been “exhausted,” Smart said.
When people heard about the money they started pouring in to receive help. “You wouldn’t believe how many companies whose work goes over seas and they are closing because of it,” Smart said.
Although many workers have received funds, it hasn’t currently affected the local community colleges. “I didn’t affect us this year,” Trathen said.
Traven said NCCC has never exceeded their limit of 10,000 students in the past and most community colleges have always been able to handle any capacity that they have been given according to, Trathen.
“Community colleges are considered the last opportunity because of their open admission, and we don’t want to deny students, because there is no other place for them to go,” he said.
Staying fit through winter
By Leah Reid Breyette
From freezing temperatures, gray skies, and snow on every surface, winter is thought by many college students to be the dreariest time of year. Because of this, students may find it much harder to get the right amount of physical activity they need each day in the winter. “During the other seasons, especially summer, I’m always outside playing some sort of sport,” says college student Jon Hoffis. “I don’t feel like I’m actually exercising, just having fun. During the winter, all I want to do is curl up in my warm bed and watch TV all day.” Such is true for many students, which is why, according to the 24-Hour Fitness Organization, they tend to gain weight in the winter- for a variety of reasons.
“It isn’t unusual for college students to gain up to five pounds during the winter season,” says Liz Wentworth, a high school health teacher. “There are a lot of reasons why this happens. Weather is a big part of it- people don’t want to go outside when it’s 24 degrees out. Winter season also means the holidays, which usually end up being six weeks of eating junk food, especially after being away at school for a few months and wanting to enjoy home-cooked food.” Whatever the reason, it is important for students to remember that physical activity is the key to not only avoiding weight gain, but also keeping energy levels and overall well-being intact- which is most at risk in the winter time.
The amount of physical activity needed per day is not as large of a number as some people think. Retired physical education teacher Len Schlacter says the recommended amount is at least twenty minutes per day. “You don’t have to work out like a professional athlete to see healthy results. In the winter, it might be harder to go jogging outdoors, but there are plenty of activities both inside and outside that you can participate in, like skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, indoor tennis, and of course regular gyms.” Schlacter says he was once a victim of the winter weight gain, too. “For three years during college, I would come home and sit around the house all day, watching TV and eating nonstop. I hated cold weather, so I just stayed inside all the time. I started growing- and it wasn’t upwards. I finally decided join my brothers for a game of hockey one day, and that’s what my break turned into after that. I know how much of a pain it can be, but once you get up and start moving, you have fun.”
The issue of winter weight gain is not a foreign one to students- it just depends on how much action they are willing to take in order to prevent it. Plattsburgh State junior Teri Deyo always makes sure she gets enough physical activity, especially during the winter. “I usually work out on my elliptical or do lunges and lift free weights.” On the other hand, some students choose to have fun while they can and not worry about gaining weight. “I’m only twenty years old- I’ll worry about weight gain when I’m older,” says Brian Harrington, a sophomore. “Right now, I can eat whatever I want and not get fat. I’m definitely going to pig out over break- I’ll go snowboarding once in awhile, but that’s about all the activity I’ll be getting.”
Although gaining weight during the winter is a common obstacle for many students, it is not one that cannot be easily overcome. According to the 24-Hour Fitness Organization, the key is to eat in moderation and keeping your heart rate up at least twenty minutes a day, three times a week- a small price to pay for long-term health benefits.
From freezing temperatures, gray skies, and snow on every surface, winter is thought by many college students to be the dreariest time of year. Because of this, students may find it much harder to get the right amount of physical activity they need each day in the winter. “During the other seasons, especially summer, I’m always outside playing some sort of sport,” says college student Jon Hoffis. “I don’t feel like I’m actually exercising, just having fun. During the winter, all I want to do is curl up in my warm bed and watch TV all day.” Such is true for many students, which is why, according to the 24-Hour Fitness Organization, they tend to gain weight in the winter- for a variety of reasons.
“It isn’t unusual for college students to gain up to five pounds during the winter season,” says Liz Wentworth, a high school health teacher. “There are a lot of reasons why this happens. Weather is a big part of it- people don’t want to go outside when it’s 24 degrees out. Winter season also means the holidays, which usually end up being six weeks of eating junk food, especially after being away at school for a few months and wanting to enjoy home-cooked food.” Whatever the reason, it is important for students to remember that physical activity is the key to not only avoiding weight gain, but also keeping energy levels and overall well-being intact- which is most at risk in the winter time.
The amount of physical activity needed per day is not as large of a number as some people think. Retired physical education teacher Len Schlacter says the recommended amount is at least twenty minutes per day. “You don’t have to work out like a professional athlete to see healthy results. In the winter, it might be harder to go jogging outdoors, but there are plenty of activities both inside and outside that you can participate in, like skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, indoor tennis, and of course regular gyms.” Schlacter says he was once a victim of the winter weight gain, too. “For three years during college, I would come home and sit around the house all day, watching TV and eating nonstop. I hated cold weather, so I just stayed inside all the time. I started growing- and it wasn’t upwards. I finally decided join my brothers for a game of hockey one day, and that’s what my break turned into after that. I know how much of a pain it can be, but once you get up and start moving, you have fun.”
The issue of winter weight gain is not a foreign one to students- it just depends on how much action they are willing to take in order to prevent it. Plattsburgh State junior Teri Deyo always makes sure she gets enough physical activity, especially during the winter. “I usually work out on my elliptical or do lunges and lift free weights.” On the other hand, some students choose to have fun while they can and not worry about gaining weight. “I’m only twenty years old- I’ll worry about weight gain when I’m older,” says Brian Harrington, a sophomore. “Right now, I can eat whatever I want and not get fat. I’m definitely going to pig out over break- I’ll go snowboarding once in awhile, but that’s about all the activity I’ll be getting.”
Although gaining weight during the winter is a common obstacle for many students, it is not one that cannot be easily overcome. According to the 24-Hour Fitness Organization, the key is to eat in moderation and keeping your heart rate up at least twenty minutes a day, three times a week- a small price to pay for long-term health benefits.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Vaccines possibly linked to autism
By Patricia Fifield
In the wake of the H1N1 vaccine, the dangers and risks of vaccinations is becoming a hot topic, although it has always been a topic of interest with parents. Vaccinations are unofficially linked to Autism and often blamed as the cause of the disorder that affects one in 150 children in the United States.
Autism Spectrum disorders (ASDs) consists of three different types: Autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental disorder. All three disorders affect the mind, development and behavior on all different levels from mild to extreme. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “ASDs begin before the age of three and last throughout a person’s life.”
Some believe that the mercury, also called thimerosal, in vaccines has a direct connection to causing ASDs. Mercury is blamed for affecting the nervous systems that could lead to the neurological disorders like Autism. Pregnant women are warned to stay away from food or medicine that contains mercury because it could be harmful to the fetus, so it is only natural that some parents would think it could be dangerous to their young children.
Generation Rescue is a non-profit organization founded by actress Jenny McCarthy after her son was diagnosed with autism. This group strongly believes that vaccines are the reason their children are now suffering from this complicated disease. “We believe in the awareness and recovery of the disease (autism) is crucial for every parent to understand,” said a representative of the group Alicia Banks. Banks said they believe parents should delay their children’s vaccine schedule to about 18-24 months instead of starting at birth or eliminating them entirely.
Erin MacMullen, a special education teacher in Albany said that she has seen autism first-hand and has chosen to delay her 1-year-old daughter’s vaccines. “I think the amount of mercury in the vaccines is too much for a small baby to handle,” she explained, “I’d rather wait until she’s older to vaccinate her when she can probably handle the level of mercury better.” MacMullen also has a 26-month-old son who was vaccinated according to the CDC’s schedule and has no symptoms of autism.
The American Board of Pediatrics believes that vaccines do not cause autism and there have been no scientific connections between the two. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Martha Passino of Plattsburgh Pediatrics said there is not enough mercury in the vaccines to actually harm the child. Pediatricians strongly suggest children receive their vaccines and follow the CDC schedule.
Parents are faced with the difficult decision on whether to vaccinate their little bundle of joy. There are eight vaccines that children receive within the first years of their life and as with everything in life, there is always a risk involved. “If I don’t get him vaccinated what if he gets sick?” asked new mother Shelly Laidman. Her 4-month-old son has already received two rounds of three vaccinations in his short life along with a Hepatitis B shot the day he was born. Laidman said she knows about the belief of vaccines causing autism, but believes the risk of it happening is less than the chance of her son getting a disease that could have been prevented. “I’d never forgive myself if he ended up with something ridiculous like Polio or something,” she said.
There are some risks attributed to vaccines, but the ones listed by the CDC are mild. Redness, swelling, mild fever, and tenderness are listed as the most common problems after a vaccination along with fussiness and poor appetite. The handout given to parents who vaccinate their children includes a “serious problems” list that includes seizures, comas and permanent brain damage, but says it has only been reported rarely.
The controversy between vaccines and Austin will continue until more research has been done. According to the Autism Society of America, autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in our country so it is difficult to ignore the possible explanations of this statistic.
In the wake of the H1N1 vaccine, the dangers and risks of vaccinations is becoming a hot topic, although it has always been a topic of interest with parents. Vaccinations are unofficially linked to Autism and often blamed as the cause of the disorder that affects one in 150 children in the United States.
Autism Spectrum disorders (ASDs) consists of three different types: Autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental disorder. All three disorders affect the mind, development and behavior on all different levels from mild to extreme. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “ASDs begin before the age of three and last throughout a person’s life.”
Some believe that the mercury, also called thimerosal, in vaccines has a direct connection to causing ASDs. Mercury is blamed for affecting the nervous systems that could lead to the neurological disorders like Autism. Pregnant women are warned to stay away from food or medicine that contains mercury because it could be harmful to the fetus, so it is only natural that some parents would think it could be dangerous to their young children.
Generation Rescue is a non-profit organization founded by actress Jenny McCarthy after her son was diagnosed with autism. This group strongly believes that vaccines are the reason their children are now suffering from this complicated disease. “We believe in the awareness and recovery of the disease (autism) is crucial for every parent to understand,” said a representative of the group Alicia Banks. Banks said they believe parents should delay their children’s vaccine schedule to about 18-24 months instead of starting at birth or eliminating them entirely.
Erin MacMullen, a special education teacher in Albany said that she has seen autism first-hand and has chosen to delay her 1-year-old daughter’s vaccines. “I think the amount of mercury in the vaccines is too much for a small baby to handle,” she explained, “I’d rather wait until she’s older to vaccinate her when she can probably handle the level of mercury better.” MacMullen also has a 26-month-old son who was vaccinated according to the CDC’s schedule and has no symptoms of autism.
The American Board of Pediatrics believes that vaccines do not cause autism and there have been no scientific connections between the two. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Martha Passino of Plattsburgh Pediatrics said there is not enough mercury in the vaccines to actually harm the child. Pediatricians strongly suggest children receive their vaccines and follow the CDC schedule.
Parents are faced with the difficult decision on whether to vaccinate their little bundle of joy. There are eight vaccines that children receive within the first years of their life and as with everything in life, there is always a risk involved. “If I don’t get him vaccinated what if he gets sick?” asked new mother Shelly Laidman. Her 4-month-old son has already received two rounds of three vaccinations in his short life along with a Hepatitis B shot the day he was born. Laidman said she knows about the belief of vaccines causing autism, but believes the risk of it happening is less than the chance of her son getting a disease that could have been prevented. “I’d never forgive myself if he ended up with something ridiculous like Polio or something,” she said.
There are some risks attributed to vaccines, but the ones listed by the CDC are mild. Redness, swelling, mild fever, and tenderness are listed as the most common problems after a vaccination along with fussiness and poor appetite. The handout given to parents who vaccinate their children includes a “serious problems” list that includes seizures, comas and permanent brain damage, but says it has only been reported rarely.
The controversy between vaccines and Austin will continue until more research has been done. According to the Autism Society of America, autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in our country so it is difficult to ignore the possible explanations of this statistic.
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