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.
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