Cheers and Jeers

JEERS — To beyond animal abuse. This newspaper reported Thursday the seizure of some two dozen animals living in a condition described by SPCA Director Sharon Hayes as the worst she had seen in 20 years. We will continue to jeer and editorialize about the contempt in these animal neglect and abuse cases. But in this story, there was another abuse that should have jumped off the page to us all. Living in the midst of this putrid condition was a 5-year-old child. Please, do not forget this child.

CHEERS — To Debra Kolsrud. All of us in the area should give a big welcome to this woman, who recently purchased a historic home in Johnstown. It is the home where friends Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was from Johnstown, worked on the document, “The History of Women’s Suffrage.” Thanks to Kolsrud’s purchasing of the home and her devotion to preserving the history of the women’s movement, the only connection left in the city to Elizabeth Cady Stanton will remain intact. Elizabeth once said, “I am always busy, which is perhaps the chief reason why I am so well.” Debra, keep busy and thank you for investing in our community.

CHEERS — To the people on the bus. In February, Montgomery County began offering county bus service. Fifty-five riders took advantage of it. Four months later, that ridership has increased to 342. With the soaring gas prices, this service could not have come at a better time. Cheers to Montgomery and Fulton counties’ continued work on providing more public transportation.

JEERS — To double dipping. Gloversville city officials approved an agreement with the Gloversville Enlarged School District to rent the Gloversville Middle School pool for a month this summer. That’s a good thing for the youths and adults who will swim there, but why should city taxpayers’ money be spent to pay for a school district facility already paid for by the taxpayers? The city will use money from the city’s recreation fund to pay for this. It’s a shame no one has been able to come up with a recreation plan for all Gloversville youths. Speaking of the recreation commission, has there ever been a decision reached by the city labor attorney on whether it’s OK to hire a part-time recreation director? It will be a year next month that the council approved the hiring of one.