Cheers and Jeers

CHEERS — To not being popular. Perth Town Board members this week listened to a resolution from Broadalbin Supervisor Lee Hollenbeck to join him in sending the message to the state government to “wake up” and stop shifting costs to local property taxpayers. We need more elected officials and residents to send this same communication to state leaders. Lee says he knows he won’t be popular with state government. We say to him and any others, it’s OK to not be popular.



CHEERS — To a discount for all. The Fulton County Board of Supervisors has made available to all Fulton County residents a discount on prescription drugs. This appears to be a good program, and it is available to everyone. You will find these cards at a number of area pharmacies. If you have any questions on the ProAct program, call 1-877-776-2285. Montgomery County is looking at this same type of program. We encourage everyone to pay attention and take advantage of the discounts.



JEERS — To a commission without leadership. This is part of a cheer published a year ago: “Cheers to www.gloversvillerecreation.com. This is the newly created Web site that has been created by the Gloversville Recreation Commission. Members deserve a loud applause for developing this site.” Now, let’s fast-forward to today. The Web site has not been updated since May 7 of last year, and the city still has not hired a part-time recreation director. Can anyone name a person still serving on the commission? Advertisements were published for the position of director in July. The hiring has been delayed since October as City Labor Attorney Bryan Goldberger tries to find out if the position is required to be a civil service job. We would like to see Gloversville council members and officials show more concern for the commission. We also would like to know what will happen to the money that was graciously donated to the Littauer pool house project as well as the $25,000 from the Littauer Foundation and the state’s $10,000 commitment from Sen. Hugh T. Farley, R-Niskayuna. If the city is not following through on recreation and our young people, perhaps the money should go to the newly formed Fulton County Boys & Girls Club, which appears to be right on course.



CHEERS — To e-x-t-r-a-o-r-d-i-n-a-r-y. That describes the young spellers who will compete in the 16th Annual Fulton County Spelling Bee. On Monday night, 49 Fulton County fourth- through eighth-graders will take to the stage at Gloversville Middle School. Only one will represent the county at the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., but all of them are true winners. Congratulations and good luck.