By Aurora O’Geen
The New York Times recently featured an article focusing on a major study of dementia rates among former NFL players. The study was conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research; and although long denying any relation between football and cognitive decline among players the NFL commissioned the study. It was found that 6.1 percent of players age 50 and above had been diagnosed with dementia related symptoms; five times higher than the national average of 1.2 percent. Players age 30-49 showed stats 19 times greater than the national average; 1.9 percent compared to 0.1 percent.
With such compelling data, what does this mean for the future of football? The NFL is currently in the process of conducting its own study among 120 former professional players, results are expected within a few years. Dementia itself is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. It targets a person’s short term memory loss- leaving them able to describe events from years earlier, yet unable to remember what they ate for breakfast. Many times patients are unable to recognize family members, even forgetting the names of their own children. Megan Whitton, whose grandmother was recently diagnosed with dementia, describes the constant forgetfulness and confusion as “emotionally draining.” Whitton states that “it’s not easy knowing there’s nothing you can do to help.”
Marcie Wyand, admissions director at Pine Harbour Assisted Living in Plattsburgh, deals with dementia patients on a daily basis. Symptoms may include disorientation or confusion, much like that of a person right after any head injury. The causes of dementia are for the most part unknown, it is however certain that environmental factors, heredity, and history of head injury can lead to the disease. Although dementia itself will not kill you, there is no known cure. Wyand states that “head injuries should not be taken lightly” continuing on to note the “long term effects on the brain are irreversible.”
Football has long been a tradition in the North Country; players can start anywhere from kindergarten up. After hearing the risks associated with dementia why aren’t coaches, parents, or players taking it seriously? Coaches may overlook injuries not wanting to face the loss of their star player, or simply because they may not witness every single hit or injury during a game. Players themselves brush off injuries not wanting to be labeled a wimp or appear weak. Even parents may not consider an injury as serious as it should be. It’s easy to overlook the long-term affects these injuries may have on a player, but overtime they add up; once the brain has been damaged its nearly impossible for it to recover properly.
Pat Goodell, head coach of Plattsburgh’s varsity football team believes safety procedures have come a long way since his days of playing varsity football. Many times head injuries were taken lightly in the past, Goodell states that players would even joke a teammate had “gotten his bell rung” after receiving a hard hit to the head. Today however, several precautions are taken when a player receives a hit to the head. In fact, Plattsburgh high school has a series of steps a player must complete before returning to the game after a concussion or head injury. Players suspected of head trauma are examined by the schools trainer, and only if cleared by the trainer and coach are they able to return to the field. Once symptom free, they are not out of the clear- they must attend practices and pass a four day trial period. This involves conditioning training without contact for one day, and if symptom free, again the second day. The third day back, a player is able to have minimal contact during practice, if they deem symptom free afterwards, they are able to return to full contact on their fourth day.
For players, the process may seem grueling, but it’s clear that head injuries are not taken lightly; these precautions are intended to ensure the safety of players now, and in the future. Many times, players begin football at a young age- increasing their chances for brain trauma overtime. Brian Major, league commissioner of PAL youth football organization in Plattsburgh says “a parent of a youth player should make sure that the league they are playing in is using every safety precaution necessary.”
Brian has ran the PAL organization for 13 years, within that time its believed only 1 or 2 players have had concussions. However they do make note that the intensity of injuries will no doubt increase with age as players grow, but precautions should be taken at every level. For parents concerned with safety, or hesitant to the idea of youth football, Major ensures, “rules of this organization have been formatted to encourage fundamental skills as opposed to the win first mentality.”
Football is not the only sport linked to cognitive decline among players- boxing has long been linked to memory loss both short and long term. Although, for players the goal of football isn’t exactly to knock your opponent out; as it is with boxing. For parents and players passionate about football, taking the necessary precautions at every level will ensure their safety; both now and in the future.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Pour out the milk, or go bankrupt?
By Cassandra Morrissey
The current dairy industry is in a crisis. Milk prices are so low that farmers face a tough decision; sell their milking cows and find a new career or continue losing money each month. Hundreds of dairy farms across the country have already been forced to decide. Some claim bankruptcy, leaving them with cows they can’t sell and farms that are not profitable. Although others, such as Lance Rovers, hold out hope for a profitable future.
Lance Rovers is a dairy farmer in Chazy. He has been in the industry for over 30 years and has seen the industry price of milk fluctuate greatly.
“Milk prices started out around seven or eight dollars per 100 pounds. I’ve even seen it get as high as 22 dollars. But right now, it’s about 12 dollars,” Rovers said.
The main reason for the milk crisis is due to a supply and demand struggle. As farms across the country continue increasing in size, the supply of dairy products continues increasing. Farms are milking more cows and producing larger quantities of dairy products. Although, the demand for the products is shrinking.
Richard Redman, the district conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture blames part of the shrinking demand on more choices available for consumers.
“Instead of drinking milk, people are choosing water or soda. Not many families sit down anymore and have a glass of milk at supper. Instead they are on the go and grab a Coke at a fast food place,” Redman said.
Another cause for decreasing demand is due to the current economy. Although the market is struggling, the US dollar still has a higher value then other currencies. This is leading to fewer countries buying American exports.
In 2007, the United States had a prospering dairy market, and farms drastically increased production. Eventually, there was a surplus of dairy products, resulting in a steady demand but increasing dairy availability. Farms in the country no longer had a national market and began looking towards foreign markets. But, countries such as New Zealand and Australia already began to monopolize foreign dairy industries. According to Emily Myers, the dairy educator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, the United States only exports about 10 percent of its dairy products with foreign countries supplying the rest.
As the supply and demand struggle continues, production cost within the country continues increasing. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, dairy farms especially large farms, rely heavily on hired labor, purchased feed, electricity and shipping cost, which all factor into extra cost for the farm.
Harry Fefee, President of Franklin county Farm Bureau realizes everything is connected.
“All farms are of kind of hurting, but dairy farms in particular. Exports are down, production costs are up, feed cost are up, all the taxes in New York State are up, it’s just getting too expensive for some farms to continue producing,” Fefee said.
These factors are leaving dairy farms struggling to make ends meet. Rovers’, whose farm milks over one thousand cows, is losing over 80 thousand dollars a month.
“It’s a lot of money we are losing, but we aren’t in financial debt too bad yet. We will be able to hold on this down turn, but every down turn you have, you lose strength, and finally you end up cashing in,” Rovers’ claimed.
Jake Swyers has been co-owner of the Adirondack Dairy Farm for eight years. He has seen the highs and lows of the market, but he also has hope for the future.
“We hope to continue to do business as usual. We are trying to cut production cost and save money, but it’s getting tough. The market can’t take this much longer,” Swyers said.
Currently the milk prices are set by the government through detailed formulas. Although, the formulas do not incorporate the cost consumers are paying at the store, the supply and demand changes, and the overall profit. Representatives are trying to find ways to help dairy farmers, but it’s not overly successful. Senator Charles Schumer is trying to push direct payments to dairy farms to help pay for production cost, but its still in the workings in Washington. State Senator Darrel J. Aubertine introduced a legislation that allows farmers to keep up to two dollars more per hundredweight. Finally, a recent bill was signed by President Obama, which gives $350 million to help dairy farmers.
“In the long run, the dairy industry looks good. But right now, they are going through times where $350 million spilt between hundreds of farms won’t be overly helpful. It’s tough for people to agree on a solution, but if something is not done soon, farms will go under,” Myers said.
“I defiantly see my future in farming, but the biggest thing will be getting back the milk market strength. The forecast for the value of milk is supposed to get back, but some are already forecasting it will be down by next fall again. I guess all you can do is hope,” Rovers’ said.
The current dairy industry is in a crisis. Milk prices are so low that farmers face a tough decision; sell their milking cows and find a new career or continue losing money each month. Hundreds of dairy farms across the country have already been forced to decide. Some claim bankruptcy, leaving them with cows they can’t sell and farms that are not profitable. Although others, such as Lance Rovers, hold out hope for a profitable future.
Lance Rovers is a dairy farmer in Chazy. He has been in the industry for over 30 years and has seen the industry price of milk fluctuate greatly.
“Milk prices started out around seven or eight dollars per 100 pounds. I’ve even seen it get as high as 22 dollars. But right now, it’s about 12 dollars,” Rovers said.
The main reason for the milk crisis is due to a supply and demand struggle. As farms across the country continue increasing in size, the supply of dairy products continues increasing. Farms are milking more cows and producing larger quantities of dairy products. Although, the demand for the products is shrinking.
Richard Redman, the district conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture blames part of the shrinking demand on more choices available for consumers.
“Instead of drinking milk, people are choosing water or soda. Not many families sit down anymore and have a glass of milk at supper. Instead they are on the go and grab a Coke at a fast food place,” Redman said.
Another cause for decreasing demand is due to the current economy. Although the market is struggling, the US dollar still has a higher value then other currencies. This is leading to fewer countries buying American exports.
In 2007, the United States had a prospering dairy market, and farms drastically increased production. Eventually, there was a surplus of dairy products, resulting in a steady demand but increasing dairy availability. Farms in the country no longer had a national market and began looking towards foreign markets. But, countries such as New Zealand and Australia already began to monopolize foreign dairy industries. According to Emily Myers, the dairy educator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension, the United States only exports about 10 percent of its dairy products with foreign countries supplying the rest.
As the supply and demand struggle continues, production cost within the country continues increasing. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, dairy farms especially large farms, rely heavily on hired labor, purchased feed, electricity and shipping cost, which all factor into extra cost for the farm.
Harry Fefee, President of Franklin county Farm Bureau realizes everything is connected.
“All farms are of kind of hurting, but dairy farms in particular. Exports are down, production costs are up, feed cost are up, all the taxes in New York State are up, it’s just getting too expensive for some farms to continue producing,” Fefee said.
These factors are leaving dairy farms struggling to make ends meet. Rovers’, whose farm milks over one thousand cows, is losing over 80 thousand dollars a month.
“It’s a lot of money we are losing, but we aren’t in financial debt too bad yet. We will be able to hold on this down turn, but every down turn you have, you lose strength, and finally you end up cashing in,” Rovers’ claimed.
Jake Swyers has been co-owner of the Adirondack Dairy Farm for eight years. He has seen the highs and lows of the market, but he also has hope for the future.
“We hope to continue to do business as usual. We are trying to cut production cost and save money, but it’s getting tough. The market can’t take this much longer,” Swyers said.
Currently the milk prices are set by the government through detailed formulas. Although, the formulas do not incorporate the cost consumers are paying at the store, the supply and demand changes, and the overall profit. Representatives are trying to find ways to help dairy farmers, but it’s not overly successful. Senator Charles Schumer is trying to push direct payments to dairy farms to help pay for production cost, but its still in the workings in Washington. State Senator Darrel J. Aubertine introduced a legislation that allows farmers to keep up to two dollars more per hundredweight. Finally, a recent bill was signed by President Obama, which gives $350 million to help dairy farmers.
“In the long run, the dairy industry looks good. But right now, they are going through times where $350 million spilt between hundreds of farms won’t be overly helpful. It’s tough for people to agree on a solution, but if something is not done soon, farms will go under,” Myers said.
“I defiantly see my future in farming, but the biggest thing will be getting back the milk market strength. The forecast for the value of milk is supposed to get back, but some are already forecasting it will be down by next fall again. I guess all you can do is hope,” Rovers’ said.
Sunday morning mass in Standish stops
By Zachery Lashway
The culture of today’s society and the elements of sacrifice have made the priesthood an unpopular career throughout recent years; thus affecting the Catholic religion worldwide.
The closing of churches is becoming a forgone for the Catholic religion in North America because the shortage of priests and the emphasis society places on money.
Father Ted Crosby says the shortage of priests is a worldwide issue and it is becoming a more current issue for America. “Here in the north-east of the United States the pinch is getting tighter,” he said.
Father Crosby is the pastor for St. Bernard’s Church in Lyon Mountain. In addition to being the pastor there, Father Crosby was the pastor of St. Michael’s Church in Standish; a mission (is a full but smaller parish linked with a bigger parish close by) of Lyon Mountain and Chaplain of the Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility.
St. Michael’s closed in late September due to the shift of population over the years and the ever-increasing shortage of priests. In addition to St. Michael’s closing, Father Crosby resigned as Chaplain of Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility on Wednesday, September 30th because St. Bernard’s was linked with St. Edmund’s in Ellenburg; thus making Father Crosby the pastor there as well.
Linking parishes can become very demanding on the priest, so in all efforts to keep the bigger churches open, the smaller churches that are missions will close and the bigger churches will be linked or merged.
Sister Jennifer Votraw, the Director of Planning and Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg said it is never easy to close a church; there are many memories people have with the church. “There’s a special bond between the church and its parishioners and it’s very hard to cut off that bond.” Both Sister Votraw and Father Crosby said Bishops are often against closing churches and usually look at that as a last resort.
Sister Votraw said St. Micheal’s closed because it is a smaller church with a lower attendance and St. Bernard’s Church is a nearby option for the parishioner’s to attend mass. Money by no means was a factor in the decision to close the church. According to Father Crosby the little church has money in its account and had approximately 30 families in attendance. If there was an influx of population to the Standish area or an influx of priests, the church could have remained open or someday could possibly open again. But the likelihood is it will become an Oratory once the Vatican appoints our Diocese a Bishop.
Linkage and Merger’s are becoming more common within the Catholic religion. According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg linked parishes are usually two but sometimes three parishes that remain independent but share one pastor. A merged parish is when one or more parishes are merged to create one larger parish. A mission is a full operating church but is usually a smaller parish linked to a bigger parish. An oratory is a church that is no longer an operating parish. The oratory will remain the responsibility of the nearby church that it was a mission of. An oratory does not have regularly scheduled services but it can be used for funerals or in celebration of the oratory’s patronal feast that occurs once a year. The Bishop is the only authority that can deem a church an oratory.
According to A Century – Mining for Souls; Ecumenical Edition 1875 – 1975 St. Michael’s in Standish was built in 1888 with only $20.70 and in 1890 the bell weighing more than 525 pounds was blessed and given the name Michael-Marie-Joseph. St. Michael’s was a mission of St. Bernard’s in Lyon Mountain until 1902. In 1902 St. Michael’s built a rectory and a parish hall. In 1916 the parish hall was remodeled for a parochial school that housed classrooms, a stage and a kitchen. The school was blessed a month after it opened and was named the School of the Blessed Virgin. Sixty students attended the school before it closed in 1924 because of financial difficulties. In 1937 St. Michael’s again became a mission of St. Bernard’s Church where it has remained so today.
Lillian Rabideau, a trustee of St. Michael’s Church for more than 25 years, a board member and a Eucharistic Minister of St. Michael’s Church has been a loyal parishioner since 1951. In addition to her devotion to the church she has done domestic work for St. Michael’s and St. Bernard’s for the past 23 years and will continue to do so.
Lillian Rabideau says she will attend another church but she is trying to find another early mass to take place of the early Sunday morning mass she’s attended for the past 58 years in Standish. “I guess I have to find another church, I don’t have much choice.” She said her routine for Sunday was set around morning mass. “I looked forward for Sunday just to go to church.”
Lillian Rabideau’s daughter-in-law, Patti Rabideau, is a board member of St. Michael’s Church and a long-time parishioner. She said there’s been talk of St. Michael’s closing before she came to town. “Towns people always talked about it closing, it wasn’t till recently it became official talk.”
Both Patti and Lillian Rabideau said St. Michael’s closed because the shortage of priests in the North Country and around the world. Patti Rabideau said, “It’s a lonely life to be a priest, there’s no room for a family.”
Claire and Bernadette Kowalowski said they’ve been going to Sunday morning mass in Standish since 1966. “Almost every Sunday we have gone to 8:30 mass in Standish.” Bernadette said. “It is a nice, quaint little church. It’s a very personal mass.”
Both sisters said the closing of Catholic churches like St. Michael’s could have been avoided if younger Catholics were more involved in the Catholic faith and if there were more priests in the vocation. “I think they should let priests get married, it could attract many men and have prevented the ongoing sex scandal that has brought about a lot of negativity within the faith. We have to work on getting the younger generations back to church too,” explained Claire.
There are currently 105 parishes, 10 missions and 23 oratories in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. St. Michael’s is one of the 10 missions and soon could make oratory number 24.
Father Crosby said, “The linking and merging of churches is just a quick fix. Three priests died this year in the North Country. Over the next five years 15 priests are able to retire in the North Country and younger priests are going to retire at a younger age due to stress.” These numbers only cover the Catholic religion from the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Therefore, the closing of Catholic churches in the North Country is only a sliver of the crisis the Catholic religion faces with the international shortage of priests.
The culture of today’s society and the elements of sacrifice have made the priesthood an unpopular career throughout recent years; thus affecting the Catholic religion worldwide.
The closing of churches is becoming a forgone for the Catholic religion in North America because the shortage of priests and the emphasis society places on money.
Father Ted Crosby says the shortage of priests is a worldwide issue and it is becoming a more current issue for America. “Here in the north-east of the United States the pinch is getting tighter,” he said.
Father Crosby is the pastor for St. Bernard’s Church in Lyon Mountain. In addition to being the pastor there, Father Crosby was the pastor of St. Michael’s Church in Standish; a mission (is a full but smaller parish linked with a bigger parish close by) of Lyon Mountain and Chaplain of the Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility.
St. Michael’s closed in late September due to the shift of population over the years and the ever-increasing shortage of priests. In addition to St. Michael’s closing, Father Crosby resigned as Chaplain of Lyon Mountain Correctional Facility on Wednesday, September 30th because St. Bernard’s was linked with St. Edmund’s in Ellenburg; thus making Father Crosby the pastor there as well.
Linking parishes can become very demanding on the priest, so in all efforts to keep the bigger churches open, the smaller churches that are missions will close and the bigger churches will be linked or merged.
Sister Jennifer Votraw, the Director of Planning and Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg said it is never easy to close a church; there are many memories people have with the church. “There’s a special bond between the church and its parishioners and it’s very hard to cut off that bond.” Both Sister Votraw and Father Crosby said Bishops are often against closing churches and usually look at that as a last resort.
Sister Votraw said St. Micheal’s closed because it is a smaller church with a lower attendance and St. Bernard’s Church is a nearby option for the parishioner’s to attend mass. Money by no means was a factor in the decision to close the church. According to Father Crosby the little church has money in its account and had approximately 30 families in attendance. If there was an influx of population to the Standish area or an influx of priests, the church could have remained open or someday could possibly open again. But the likelihood is it will become an Oratory once the Vatican appoints our Diocese a Bishop.
Linkage and Merger’s are becoming more common within the Catholic religion. According to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg linked parishes are usually two but sometimes three parishes that remain independent but share one pastor. A merged parish is when one or more parishes are merged to create one larger parish. A mission is a full operating church but is usually a smaller parish linked to a bigger parish. An oratory is a church that is no longer an operating parish. The oratory will remain the responsibility of the nearby church that it was a mission of. An oratory does not have regularly scheduled services but it can be used for funerals or in celebration of the oratory’s patronal feast that occurs once a year. The Bishop is the only authority that can deem a church an oratory.
According to A Century – Mining for Souls; Ecumenical Edition 1875 – 1975 St. Michael’s in Standish was built in 1888 with only $20.70 and in 1890 the bell weighing more than 525 pounds was blessed and given the name Michael-Marie-Joseph. St. Michael’s was a mission of St. Bernard’s in Lyon Mountain until 1902. In 1902 St. Michael’s built a rectory and a parish hall. In 1916 the parish hall was remodeled for a parochial school that housed classrooms, a stage and a kitchen. The school was blessed a month after it opened and was named the School of the Blessed Virgin. Sixty students attended the school before it closed in 1924 because of financial difficulties. In 1937 St. Michael’s again became a mission of St. Bernard’s Church where it has remained so today.
Lillian Rabideau, a trustee of St. Michael’s Church for more than 25 years, a board member and a Eucharistic Minister of St. Michael’s Church has been a loyal parishioner since 1951. In addition to her devotion to the church she has done domestic work for St. Michael’s and St. Bernard’s for the past 23 years and will continue to do so.
Lillian Rabideau says she will attend another church but she is trying to find another early mass to take place of the early Sunday morning mass she’s attended for the past 58 years in Standish. “I guess I have to find another church, I don’t have much choice.” She said her routine for Sunday was set around morning mass. “I looked forward for Sunday just to go to church.”
Lillian Rabideau’s daughter-in-law, Patti Rabideau, is a board member of St. Michael’s Church and a long-time parishioner. She said there’s been talk of St. Michael’s closing before she came to town. “Towns people always talked about it closing, it wasn’t till recently it became official talk.”
Both Patti and Lillian Rabideau said St. Michael’s closed because the shortage of priests in the North Country and around the world. Patti Rabideau said, “It’s a lonely life to be a priest, there’s no room for a family.”
Claire and Bernadette Kowalowski said they’ve been going to Sunday morning mass in Standish since 1966. “Almost every Sunday we have gone to 8:30 mass in Standish.” Bernadette said. “It is a nice, quaint little church. It’s a very personal mass.”
Both sisters said the closing of Catholic churches like St. Michael’s could have been avoided if younger Catholics were more involved in the Catholic faith and if there were more priests in the vocation. “I think they should let priests get married, it could attract many men and have prevented the ongoing sex scandal that has brought about a lot of negativity within the faith. We have to work on getting the younger generations back to church too,” explained Claire.
There are currently 105 parishes, 10 missions and 23 oratories in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. St. Michael’s is one of the 10 missions and soon could make oratory number 24.
Father Crosby said, “The linking and merging of churches is just a quick fix. Three priests died this year in the North Country. Over the next five years 15 priests are able to retire in the North Country and younger priests are going to retire at a younger age due to stress.” These numbers only cover the Catholic religion from the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Therefore, the closing of Catholic churches in the North Country is only a sliver of the crisis the Catholic religion faces with the international shortage of priests.
Promising and prioritizing
By Kevin Stump
Remember in January when President Obama passed a 700 billion dollar stimulus bill to keep and create jobs? Certain money has been promised to Clinton County for several different projects or programs and has been granted to the states for appropriate allocations to local communities. . . Where is it?
“We provide the vehicle for networking among teachers,” said Kathy Fessette, Assistant Director of the North Country Teacher Resource Center. The Teacher Center provides professional development opportunities that are mandated by the state and necessary for teachers to maintain their certifications to teach in New York.
“If they keep cutting jobs in the education field, I am worried I wont get a job after college,” said Jacky Lonergon senior and child education major, who has used the Teacher Center throughout her time at SUNY Plattsburgh.
The North Country Teacher Resource Center is closing its doors due to the lack of funding. Money to operate the facility and its programs was an earmark included in the stimulus bill and was promised to the center by July 1st 2009, and has yet to arrive. For nearly 25 years the center has been saving a small amount of money in case of emergencies like this. However, because the money from the stimulus bill has yet to come, the Teacher Center dipped into their savings to operate and now has no money left.
“Most of the other 132 Teacher Centers in the state are borrowing from their parent organization, in hope that the money will come through and be repaid,” said Diane Bonenfant, Director of the Teacher Center. As of now the North Country Teacher Resource Center is the only center that has been given an ultimatum from their parent organization, CEWW Boces. However, of the 40 million dollars promised to the 132 centers across the state, not all of them have such a large budget of 350 thousand dollars. “All we need is a wavier saying that the money is still coming so we can open our doors again,” said Bonenfant. “People take for granted the things they have until they are gone,” she said.
The North Country Teacher Resource Center isn’t the only earmark in the stimulus bill that has been promised to Clinton County. The Lake Champlain Transportation Company has invested in the planning and engineering of a new dock for the ferry and is still expecting 2.5 million dollars come summer 2010.
“If the money doesn’t come in then time and money have been wasted,” said Vice President of the Lake Champlain Transportation Company Henry Sorrell. There is a sense of urgency in being able to provide this service, said Sorrell. As of now, there is only one dock and three boats.
The Company doesn’t actually see the money directly, it comes through the Clinton County Highway Department.
“For construction projects, the entity has to make payments and then apply for reimbursements, we don’t expect to just get the money upfront from the state,” said Highway Superintendent Albert Roscoe. Roscoe says the county has many projects that have been and are still funded by the Federal stimulus bill. They are still expecting the 2.5 million dollars from the state.
Both the North Country Teacher Resource Center and the Clinton Highway Department have been promised certain funding from the federal stimulus bill. However, the Highway Department has been granted money and is still on schedule to receive funds, but the Teacher Center is being closed down because money is held up in Albany. “I don’t think Governor Patterson understands and appreciates what it is that we do,” said NCTRC Director Bonenfant.
Remember in January when President Obama passed a 700 billion dollar stimulus bill to keep and create jobs? Certain money has been promised to Clinton County for several different projects or programs and has been granted to the states for appropriate allocations to local communities. . . Where is it?
“We provide the vehicle for networking among teachers,” said Kathy Fessette, Assistant Director of the North Country Teacher Resource Center. The Teacher Center provides professional development opportunities that are mandated by the state and necessary for teachers to maintain their certifications to teach in New York.
“If they keep cutting jobs in the education field, I am worried I wont get a job after college,” said Jacky Lonergon senior and child education major, who has used the Teacher Center throughout her time at SUNY Plattsburgh.
The North Country Teacher Resource Center is closing its doors due to the lack of funding. Money to operate the facility and its programs was an earmark included in the stimulus bill and was promised to the center by July 1st 2009, and has yet to arrive. For nearly 25 years the center has been saving a small amount of money in case of emergencies like this. However, because the money from the stimulus bill has yet to come, the Teacher Center dipped into their savings to operate and now has no money left.
“Most of the other 132 Teacher Centers in the state are borrowing from their parent organization, in hope that the money will come through and be repaid,” said Diane Bonenfant, Director of the Teacher Center. As of now the North Country Teacher Resource Center is the only center that has been given an ultimatum from their parent organization, CEWW Boces. However, of the 40 million dollars promised to the 132 centers across the state, not all of them have such a large budget of 350 thousand dollars. “All we need is a wavier saying that the money is still coming so we can open our doors again,” said Bonenfant. “People take for granted the things they have until they are gone,” she said.
The North Country Teacher Resource Center isn’t the only earmark in the stimulus bill that has been promised to Clinton County. The Lake Champlain Transportation Company has invested in the planning and engineering of a new dock for the ferry and is still expecting 2.5 million dollars come summer 2010.
“If the money doesn’t come in then time and money have been wasted,” said Vice President of the Lake Champlain Transportation Company Henry Sorrell. There is a sense of urgency in being able to provide this service, said Sorrell. As of now, there is only one dock and three boats.
The Company doesn’t actually see the money directly, it comes through the Clinton County Highway Department.
“For construction projects, the entity has to make payments and then apply for reimbursements, we don’t expect to just get the money upfront from the state,” said Highway Superintendent Albert Roscoe. Roscoe says the county has many projects that have been and are still funded by the Federal stimulus bill. They are still expecting the 2.5 million dollars from the state.
Both the North Country Teacher Resource Center and the Clinton Highway Department have been promised certain funding from the federal stimulus bill. However, the Highway Department has been granted money and is still on schedule to receive funds, but the Teacher Center is being closed down because money is held up in Albany. “I don’t think Governor Patterson understands and appreciates what it is that we do,” said NCTRC Director Bonenfant.
Food pantries prepare for winter
By Jon Hochschartner
Local food pantries are facing mixed circumstances. Some volunteers say their organizations are well stocked, while others report relatively bare shelves.
Linda Young, director of the Lake Placid Ecumenical Food Pantry, falls into the latter camp.
She said that on a recent Thursday the pantry looked well stocked, but by Friday it was almost empty.
That said, Young did not sound overly concerned.
"Our program is a ministry, so it's god driven," she said. "The food comes in, the food goes out, and it comes back in. People care and they step up to the plate. "
Young said that with an average of 35 to 45 families coming in every Friday, the pantry was seeing a usage increase compared to previous years. She blamed the recession.
Betty Maus, the director of Tupper Lake Food Pantry, said her stock was below last year's. She blamed human error.
"We were kind of dissapointed about a recent drive, because the date got changed," she said. "People didn't know, (so) they didn't put stuff out to collect...We usually get somewhere around 2000 pounds of food with the Post Office drive, and we did not get that this year."
Maus said that while the numbers using the service has stayed around the same, the population has changed more toward single people than families.
Mary Ellen Kieth, the coordinator of Saint Paul's/Assumption Food Pantry, said her organization just had it's big distribution day of the month, so the pantry was not well stocked.
She said it's a month to month organization, so there was no telling how well they'd be stocked in a few weeks time. The pantry is also dealing with a theft increase from collection recepticles, and the loss of labor since Camp Gabriels' minimum security prison closed.
Keith said the numbers using the pantry have stayed relatively the same since 1980, when her organization primarily served seniors.
"The clientelle is different (now)," she said. "There are younger people. There are families that are unemployed. We've got people who are helping out their grandchildren."
Francis Paradis, director of Minerva Food Pantry, said that in terms of stock, so far she's doing "OK."
"We have a few more clients than last year," she said. "We serve approximately 50 to 55 families. I've seen a few more senior citizens comer in, but I have been making an effort to encourage them to come."
Dorothy Crawford, coordinator of Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf, said her her organization was well stocked.
"We serve about 460 households per month," she said."We haven't seen a lot of increase in the numbers because this area has been rather economically depressed to begin with...Last fall we were serving over 500 families a month. We're back to where we normally are (now)."
Local food pantries are facing mixed circumstances. Some volunteers say their organizations are well stocked, while others report relatively bare shelves.
Linda Young, director of the Lake Placid Ecumenical Food Pantry, falls into the latter camp.
She said that on a recent Thursday the pantry looked well stocked, but by Friday it was almost empty.
That said, Young did not sound overly concerned.
"Our program is a ministry, so it's god driven," she said. "The food comes in, the food goes out, and it comes back in. People care and they step up to the plate. "
Young said that with an average of 35 to 45 families coming in every Friday, the pantry was seeing a usage increase compared to previous years. She blamed the recession.
Betty Maus, the director of Tupper Lake Food Pantry, said her stock was below last year's. She blamed human error.
"We were kind of dissapointed about a recent drive, because the date got changed," she said. "People didn't know, (so) they didn't put stuff out to collect...We usually get somewhere around 2000 pounds of food with the Post Office drive, and we did not get that this year."
Maus said that while the numbers using the service has stayed around the same, the population has changed more toward single people than families.
Mary Ellen Kieth, the coordinator of Saint Paul's/Assumption Food Pantry, said her organization just had it's big distribution day of the month, so the pantry was not well stocked.
She said it's a month to month organization, so there was no telling how well they'd be stocked in a few weeks time. The pantry is also dealing with a theft increase from collection recepticles, and the loss of labor since Camp Gabriels' minimum security prison closed.
Keith said the numbers using the pantry have stayed relatively the same since 1980, when her organization primarily served seniors.
"The clientelle is different (now)," she said. "There are younger people. There are families that are unemployed. We've got people who are helping out their grandchildren."
Francis Paradis, director of Minerva Food Pantry, said that in terms of stock, so far she's doing "OK."
"We have a few more clients than last year," she said. "We serve approximately 50 to 55 families. I've seen a few more senior citizens comer in, but I have been making an effort to encourage them to come."
Dorothy Crawford, coordinator of Plattsburgh Interfaith Food Shelf, said her her organization was well stocked.
"We serve about 460 households per month," she said."We haven't seen a lot of increase in the numbers because this area has been rather economically depressed to begin with...Last fall we were serving over 500 families a month. We're back to where we normally are (now)."
Teens find drugs in medicine chest, get hooked
By Renee Cumm
Teens have acquired drugs from home and they have discovered them in the medicine cabinet. Adolescents may begin to look for drugs at home and then they start to search for more drugs elsewhere, according to the Director of Mental Health and Addiction, Sherri Gillette.
Gillette said that drug use isn’t a new issue but it is still prevalent. Now prescription drugs are the focus although alcohol and marijuana use is still common. Adolescents are not the majority of addicts admitted into the Department of Mental Health when compared to adults between the ages of 22 and 35 years old.
Prescription drugs or opiates such as heroin and morphine are not only extremely addictive they can be dangerous to an adolescent’s health, according to Champlain Valley Family Services Outpatient Clinic Director, Paul Lamora. Drugs can hinder an adolescent’s developmental process and stunt their maturity level, he said.
Lamora said that adolescents can easily become addicted to opiates and it is harder for them to stop using them because opiates provide an incredible feeling that they cannot escape.
“These days we see more and more kids drawn to prescription medications such as opiates and they are developing a very serious problem at a young age,” Lamora said.
Gillette said that painkillers or prescription drugs can be easily obtained by adolescents but there has not been an increase with adolescent drug abuse in the past few years.
“It’s kind of leveled off,” Gillette Said.
Results from a statewide Service Need Profile revealed that 10 percent of New York State adolescents suffer from a substance abuse disorder according to, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Studies found that the primary substance of abuse of adolescents in N.Y.S. is marijuana at nearly 70 percent and nearly 3 percent abuse of opiates.
“In recent years we have seen an increase in the use of opiates, both the abuse of prescription medication and heroin,” OASAS, Adolescents Program expert, Maria Groves said in an email.
In a 2008 Clinton County survey provided by CVFS Educator, Nichole Christiansen, stated that the percentage of 10th-grade students who had ever used opiates dropped slightly. Students who had drunk alcohol or smoked marijuana also declined.
Some adolescents between 11 to 14 years old do lack self-esteem according to, the Parenting Institute of the New York University Child Study Center. Those young adults could be confronted with matters that are both appealing and hazardous to their health. Different parenting practices related to this issue have been found to determine a child’s success, adjustment, health and mental health. As a child transitions through the adolescent years they need to be guided and parents need to actively participate in the child’s life according to, “Facts and Tips for Managing the Middle School Years”, provided by, the Corporate Council of Child Care Incorporated.
“Sometimes parents play a role in enabling their children,” Lamora said.
Sometimes a drug abuser will try to justify their abuse disorder if the drug is prescribed. It is also possible to have genetic markers or a learned behavior for addiction. Drug abuse disorders can be passed down to a child from the parent, Gillette said.
If an adolescent from Clinton County has shown signs of a substance abuse disorder they can be referred to CVFS where they would engage with other adolescents whom also suffer from such disorders. Adolescents would work with the councilors to identify what triggers them to do drugs and they work to find ways to help them to stop using drugs, Lamora said.
“When you see a decline in drug use it’s because of long term preventative measures,” Christiansen said.
Given an all-embracing commitment to adolescents whom suffer with a substance abuse disorder, the number of adolescents seeking help for disorders could continue to decrease.
Teens have acquired drugs from home and they have discovered them in the medicine cabinet. Adolescents may begin to look for drugs at home and then they start to search for more drugs elsewhere, according to the Director of Mental Health and Addiction, Sherri Gillette.
Gillette said that drug use isn’t a new issue but it is still prevalent. Now prescription drugs are the focus although alcohol and marijuana use is still common. Adolescents are not the majority of addicts admitted into the Department of Mental Health when compared to adults between the ages of 22 and 35 years old.
Prescription drugs or opiates such as heroin and morphine are not only extremely addictive they can be dangerous to an adolescent’s health, according to Champlain Valley Family Services Outpatient Clinic Director, Paul Lamora. Drugs can hinder an adolescent’s developmental process and stunt their maturity level, he said.
Lamora said that adolescents can easily become addicted to opiates and it is harder for them to stop using them because opiates provide an incredible feeling that they cannot escape.
“These days we see more and more kids drawn to prescription medications such as opiates and they are developing a very serious problem at a young age,” Lamora said.
Gillette said that painkillers or prescription drugs can be easily obtained by adolescents but there has not been an increase with adolescent drug abuse in the past few years.
“It’s kind of leveled off,” Gillette Said.
Results from a statewide Service Need Profile revealed that 10 percent of New York State adolescents suffer from a substance abuse disorder according to, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Studies found that the primary substance of abuse of adolescents in N.Y.S. is marijuana at nearly 70 percent and nearly 3 percent abuse of opiates.
“In recent years we have seen an increase in the use of opiates, both the abuse of prescription medication and heroin,” OASAS, Adolescents Program expert, Maria Groves said in an email.
In a 2008 Clinton County survey provided by CVFS Educator, Nichole Christiansen, stated that the percentage of 10th-grade students who had ever used opiates dropped slightly. Students who had drunk alcohol or smoked marijuana also declined.
Some adolescents between 11 to 14 years old do lack self-esteem according to, the Parenting Institute of the New York University Child Study Center. Those young adults could be confronted with matters that are both appealing and hazardous to their health. Different parenting practices related to this issue have been found to determine a child’s success, adjustment, health and mental health. As a child transitions through the adolescent years they need to be guided and parents need to actively participate in the child’s life according to, “Facts and Tips for Managing the Middle School Years”, provided by, the Corporate Council of Child Care Incorporated.
“Sometimes parents play a role in enabling their children,” Lamora said.
Sometimes a drug abuser will try to justify their abuse disorder if the drug is prescribed. It is also possible to have genetic markers or a learned behavior for addiction. Drug abuse disorders can be passed down to a child from the parent, Gillette said.
If an adolescent from Clinton County has shown signs of a substance abuse disorder they can be referred to CVFS where they would engage with other adolescents whom also suffer from such disorders. Adolescents would work with the councilors to identify what triggers them to do drugs and they work to find ways to help them to stop using drugs, Lamora said.
“When you see a decline in drug use it’s because of long term preventative measures,” Christiansen said.
Given an all-embracing commitment to adolescents whom suffer with a substance abuse disorder, the number of adolescents seeking help for disorders could continue to decrease.
Blowing in the wind
By Lindsay Blair
Residents and officials in Plattsburgh maintain positive attitudes towards wind energy, despite continued opposition to wind projects in Beekmantown.
A recent report in the Press Republican outlined the problems facing proposed wind farm project in the area. The West Beekmantown Neighborhood Association expressed opposition toward the project proposed by Penn Energy LLC from its inception, according to the Press Republican.
Surrounding areas of Plattsburgh already host one of New York State’s largest wind farms at Maple Ridge farm, two hours southwest of the city and there are four wind farms in total operating state-wide. The “clean” power generated from these renewable energy sources is enough to power 90,000 homes, according to a spokesperson from the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.
There are currently 43 wind farms in New York State, with three in the Plattsburgh area. Plans to build more wind farms in the northern and western areas outside of the city are being considered, according to Bernie Bassett, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor.
“There are a number of plans for windmills in progress and we have had research projects underway for six months to see if anywhere locally was suitable for further windmill sites,” said Bassett.
Bassett said that there is only a small area for wind farms now as many of the proposed sites for turbines are not the best use of the land. He said that Plattsburgh officials are always looking for other sources to provide renewable energy to the Adirondack region and the city hall is looking to collaborate with Clinton Community College who have the only certified wind turbine course.
“It (renewable energy) is a priority,” he said, “We are looking at the long term gain.”
But Environmental science professor at Plattsburgh State, David Franzi, said that the power generated from renewable energy sources provides only ten percent of the overall power needed.
“None of the resources that are currently available are capable of producing the amount of power that could successfully substitute for fossil fuel or nuclear.
“They (renewable sources) all contribute and they are all things that ought to be done, but it’s something around only ten percent of the power that we need,” said Franzi.
Although Franzi said that wind energy is a beneficial alternate resource, he said that the aesthetics are not something he finds attractive, but something that he and others have to live with, “I understand the need for them just like I understand the need for transmission lines, I don’t like the look of them either but I know that they bring the electricity we use. So I live with them,”
“If we don’t mind living in a continuous wind farm then you could develop more (turbines) but even so it is not nearly as efficient as some of the nuclear or fossil fuel burning plants so something has to happen. Either the tech has to get a whole lot better, which it likely will improve or we are going to have to find some other sources,” he said.
The need for alternate sources, as well as wind power is something that Bassett agrees with, “Technology is changing and we have to look for additional other sources,” the town supervisor said.
However, residents of Plattsburgh are not opposed to wind turbines in the area. Barry Raffle, a banker in downtown Plattsburgh said, “I support it, it is cost effective and it makes sense environmentally.”
“I think using wind to create electricity is a wonderful idea. I have always wondered how the turbines work,” said shop owner, Devin LaFave.
There are some who, like the residents of West Beekmantown are less in favor of the turbines, “I don’t want it in my backyard, that is all I will say,” said one Plattsburgh resident who did not wish to be named. But the “not in my backyard” attitude is something that is seen often, but also something that is dying down, according to Bassett.
“I think aesthetics have a lot to do with it (opposition), there are a lot of other concerns; ice falling off the blades in the winter time, bats and birds getting injured,” said Franzi.
The use of wind turbines is a cost effective means, according to Franzi, who said that the people leasing their land for the use of wind farms are making money out of it.
“Nobody does anything unless they can make money out of it, people aren’t building wind farms because they want to save the environment, they’re building wind farms because they want to make money,” he said.
Penn Energy Trust LLC, who is responsible for the management of wind farms in northern New York State, said on their website (http://www.pennrealestategroup.com/penn-energy-trust.htm). “Each project is designed to earn the support and trust of the stakeholders involved - including the members of the residential, political and business communities. Smart design eliminates likely sources of objection by considering the project from the perspective of all involved. Support is generally found for a well-conceived and well-designed project.” But when asked about opposition to wind projects in the North Country, they declined to comment.
“There’s not been a lot of opposition really from people in our municipality,” said Bassett, “Stereotype (beliefs on wind turbines) don’t belong in our area,” he said.
Residents and officials in Plattsburgh maintain positive attitudes towards wind energy, despite continued opposition to wind projects in Beekmantown.
A recent report in the Press Republican outlined the problems facing proposed wind farm project in the area. The West Beekmantown Neighborhood Association expressed opposition toward the project proposed by Penn Energy LLC from its inception, according to the Press Republican.
Surrounding areas of Plattsburgh already host one of New York State’s largest wind farms at Maple Ridge farm, two hours southwest of the city and there are four wind farms in total operating state-wide. The “clean” power generated from these renewable energy sources is enough to power 90,000 homes, according to a spokesperson from the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.
There are currently 43 wind farms in New York State, with three in the Plattsburgh area. Plans to build more wind farms in the northern and western areas outside of the city are being considered, according to Bernie Bassett, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor.
“There are a number of plans for windmills in progress and we have had research projects underway for six months to see if anywhere locally was suitable for further windmill sites,” said Bassett.
Bassett said that there is only a small area for wind farms now as many of the proposed sites for turbines are not the best use of the land. He said that Plattsburgh officials are always looking for other sources to provide renewable energy to the Adirondack region and the city hall is looking to collaborate with Clinton Community College who have the only certified wind turbine course.
“It (renewable energy) is a priority,” he said, “We are looking at the long term gain.”
But Environmental science professor at Plattsburgh State, David Franzi, said that the power generated from renewable energy sources provides only ten percent of the overall power needed.
“None of the resources that are currently available are capable of producing the amount of power that could successfully substitute for fossil fuel or nuclear.
“They (renewable sources) all contribute and they are all things that ought to be done, but it’s something around only ten percent of the power that we need,” said Franzi.
Although Franzi said that wind energy is a beneficial alternate resource, he said that the aesthetics are not something he finds attractive, but something that he and others have to live with, “I understand the need for them just like I understand the need for transmission lines, I don’t like the look of them either but I know that they bring the electricity we use. So I live with them,”
“If we don’t mind living in a continuous wind farm then you could develop more (turbines) but even so it is not nearly as efficient as some of the nuclear or fossil fuel burning plants so something has to happen. Either the tech has to get a whole lot better, which it likely will improve or we are going to have to find some other sources,” he said.
The need for alternate sources, as well as wind power is something that Bassett agrees with, “Technology is changing and we have to look for additional other sources,” the town supervisor said.
However, residents of Plattsburgh are not opposed to wind turbines in the area. Barry Raffle, a banker in downtown Plattsburgh said, “I support it, it is cost effective and it makes sense environmentally.”
“I think using wind to create electricity is a wonderful idea. I have always wondered how the turbines work,” said shop owner, Devin LaFave.
There are some who, like the residents of West Beekmantown are less in favor of the turbines, “I don’t want it in my backyard, that is all I will say,” said one Plattsburgh resident who did not wish to be named. But the “not in my backyard” attitude is something that is seen often, but also something that is dying down, according to Bassett.
“I think aesthetics have a lot to do with it (opposition), there are a lot of other concerns; ice falling off the blades in the winter time, bats and birds getting injured,” said Franzi.
The use of wind turbines is a cost effective means, according to Franzi, who said that the people leasing their land for the use of wind farms are making money out of it.
“Nobody does anything unless they can make money out of it, people aren’t building wind farms because they want to save the environment, they’re building wind farms because they want to make money,” he said.
Penn Energy Trust LLC, who is responsible for the management of wind farms in northern New York State, said on their website (http://www.pennrealestategroup.com/penn-energy-trust.htm). “Each project is designed to earn the support and trust of the stakeholders involved - including the members of the residential, political and business communities. Smart design eliminates likely sources of objection by considering the project from the perspective of all involved. Support is generally found for a well-conceived and well-designed project.” But when asked about opposition to wind projects in the North Country, they declined to comment.
“There’s not been a lot of opposition really from people in our municipality,” said Bassett, “Stereotype (beliefs on wind turbines) don’t belong in our area,” he said.
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