I have been reading about the Niskayuna students protesting during the national anthem. I attended Niskayuna High and played football in the late ‘70s. We had no such protests — professional football players standing on the sideline while the anthem was played is a relatively new development. So while these social injustices existed, no protests were visible.I have come to the painful conclusion that if such protests had happened in my time, and a teammate had kneeled, I probably would have continued to stand; 17 year-old me would not have wanted the scrutiny, and I was too naive about the world. I also realize that I would have eventually regretted my inaction.Older me has seen things. Older me has learned to listen to peoples’ stories and not dismiss them simply because I haven’t had the same experiences. It’s much easier for older me to understand that I simply am not subject to the same actions that people of color (or women) continually face. Older me has had the benefit of serving in the Navy, allowing the concept of shipmate to forge with the idea of teammate. Older me has also learned that there is not just one way to be patriotic.So older me says this to the students: I’m your teammate. Even though I’m not with you in person, I kneel with you in spirit. You are my brothers and sisters. You have every right to protest injustice, and I will have your back while you do it.Tom SwansonFalls Church, Va. (formerly of Niskayuna)More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?Puccioni’s two goals help Niskayuna boys’ soccer top Shaker, remain perfectNiskayuna girls’ cross country wins over BethlehemEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motorists Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
City thriving under current government
First of all, many of us Saratoga Springs residents think the city is doing pretty well, especially when we measure it against our neighboring cities and the rest of upstate New York, which is collapsing. Secondly, the charter changers haven’t defined any goals or a vision for how our city should ultimately look and perform. They also haven’t provided any rationale why Saratoga Springs residents will be better off under a city manager.They pretty much offer us only a mundane path that follows the legions of New York’s failing cities that already have their proposed layer on layer of bureaucracy.Ultimately, charter change places a terrible burden on the average citizen with the danger of failure and the certainty of increased government and taxes.Of course, I’m going to vote no and ask you to also vote no.Gregory WrobelSaratoga Springs Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsSchenectady, Saratoga casinos say reopening has gone well; revenue down 30%EDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the census
Tour city park to see where the needs are
Now, with the restoration of A Diamond under way and work progressing on the Music Haven seating enhancement, I think some serious work should be done by the city to clean up the surrounding areas. For the past three or four years, I have noticed a huge degree of neglect on the part of the parks department to complete necessary and/or routine work, such as the removal of dead trees and stumps, coupled with a lack of cutting and trimming of low-hanging limbs and dead branches.I have a mental list of four or five dozen other projects that could/should be completed, including the clean-up and restoration of the casino, that will bring Central Park back to where it should be.I invite any elected city official, starting at the top, to take a one-hour walk with me in the park. I will point out everything that I believe should be done to accomplish that goal. Please let the clean-up start now so Central Park at least compares to Albany’s Washington Park, The Crossings in Colonie and all the parks in Niskayuna.I sincerely hope to find an interest from someone in the city of Schenectady.Paul McDonaldNiskayunaMore from The Daily Gazette:Niskayuna girls’ cross country wins over BethlehemPuccioni’s two goals help Niskayuna boys’ soccer top Shaker, remain perfectEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homes I was born and raised in Schenectady and lived within a stone’s throw of Schenectady’s Central Park. In my youth, my friends and I spent play time there on a year-round basis. For the past 70-plus years, I have frequently visited the park and I know it very well. Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Kelly will keep the Spa City moving forward
Meg Kelly has my vote on Nov. 7. She grew up here and is interested in what’s best for all Saratoga Springs residents.She has been the deputy mayor of Saratoga Springs and knows the ins and outs of City Hall. I feel she can be bipartisan and work with all for all.There’s a real need for affordable housing here in the city. For years, we’ve been building condos, town houses and apartments with skyrocketing costs and rents. These are not doable for the average person who works here, and it forces people to live elsewhere.We have become a “go-to” community for restaurants, shops and venues, but we need to have affordable housing for all income levels. Two projects are in their planning stages; rest assured Meg will keep her eye on these. On Nov. 7, please support Meg, a candidate for all the citizens of Saratoga Springs.Katie RichmanSaratoga SpringsMore from The Daily Gazette:Foss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?Schenectady, Saratoga casinos say reopening has gone well; revenue down 30%EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homesEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motorists Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
Tear down buildings, put in local parking
Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion Recently, I read that Schenectady has a problem with illegal pavement, where people pave over parts of their lawns for parking. The problem is really that there’s no place to park. Houses and streets were built before everyone had a car.Downtown Schenectady has greatly improved its parking situation. Why not devote some funding to helping people, and in the winter snowplows, with the parking problem by taking down some of the zombie houses and making them properly paved residential parking areas? Neighborhoods look better with a little green in front of the houses. Nobody likes to worry about moving their cars for the plow in the winter.It might work to have lots restricted to overnight parking only for residents of a certain street. And what a benefit it will be when trying to sell a house if it has parking.Robin SchnellScotiaMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsSchenectady teens accused of Scotia auto theft, chase; Ended in Clifton Park crash, Saratoga Sheriff…EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homes
Trump’s reality show must be canceled
Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion Here’s hoping that soon I’ll wake up from this reoccurring nightmare: A smiling Donald Trump, arm in arm with Andy Cohen, the Real Housewives shows’ producer, as they emerge from a fake TV set of the Oval Office declaring the success of their reality TV series, “The Real President of the USA. ” I’m always hoping it’s as fake as Mr. Cohen’s housewives shows.It’s worth spending time watching the housewives if you are looking for insight into Trump’s behavior. They have much in common. All the housewives must keep themselves and their audience mean, angry and divided, just like Trump. Otherwise, cancellation looms.For example: Check out (and watch it carefully) Trump’s behavior at his recent pep-rally in Washington, Mich.. His swagger, conceit and general performance seem rehearsed, just part of the show. Is it similar to The Apprentice? The technique is a thing of beauty. The audience is mean, angry and divided, and Mr. Trump must keep them that way. He does it by choosing an enemy to attack — sometimes Iran or North Korea or his old stand-by — immigrants. The latter got it this time. The venomous cruelty, incivility and lying directed at folks trying to come to America for a better life are irresponsible coming from anyone, much less the president.But,sadly, mine is no dream and the show can’t be canceled. Trump plays to an audience (and not the general public) that’s so hooked on his reality TV stardom that they’re duped into believing that he can do no wrong. What I have come to understand is that Trump and his base supporters make no distinction between what is acceptable for reality TV and what is acceptable for the real president of the United States. It’s a slippery slope, and we’re headed for a one-way ticket to Palookaville.Livia CarrollSchenectadyMore from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationSchenectady police reform sessions pivot to onlineMotorcyclist injured in Thursday afternoon Schenectady crash
Letters to the Editor for Friday, Oct. 4
This is the second holiday season that they will have to try to get through. They must thank God for strength on Thanksgiving, struggle through Christmas to be happy, and for the New Year keep hopes for better days.I just can’t say enough about all of the overwhelming support that was given to the St. Clare’s retirees. You all showed how much you really care about these very special people.The retirees took care of our families when they needed it. I feel that all of these wonderful people tried hard to pay them back.Walter “Neal” BrazellRotterdam The press/media of that time was complicit with the British Empire in his destruction. Sound familiar?History does repeat itself, which certifies that the corrupt know how to sustain their power.The powerless are like the “poor of scripture.”They will always be with us, willing victims.Paging Spartacus.Edmond DayRotterdam Paper has shifted too far to the leftFor years, I was a lover of The Gazette. Now 67 years of age, it’s so astonishing how your newspaper is strictly a leftist organization. It’s so apparent that all you do is insert articles from national writers throughout the United States how bad our president is.Your take on how you attack our president has made me realize your newspaper is basically a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party. Not only I, but hundreds of individuals I know have stopped purchasing your newspaper because of your huge bias.Where did the days go of down-the-middle reporting? The modern-day editor needs to take a good hard look on how your paper is suffering circulation numbers. I know this to be a fact. I’m spreading the word as well on social media on how your bias is over the top against our president. Get a spine and take a deep breath, and maybe you should rethink you position how bad your organization is now.How do you sleep at night? I would hope you print this, but I’ll gather you won’t.Mike EpliteSchenectadyTrump’s struggles have Irish similaritiesThere is a strong parallel between Irish Nationalist Charles Stewart Parnell and President Trump’s political struggles. Parnell fought the might of the British colonial system to free Ireland. President Trump struggles with the “swamp” empire.Parnell faced destruction of his character in the public arena.
Categories: Letters to the Editor, OpinionGrateful to all who supported retireesThe St. Clare’s Hospital retirees have won the hearts of so many people. I praise our great political leaders from both parties who have been at their sides all through this horrible journey.The TV stations were wonderful showing all of us how much they really cared; the newspapers and editorial staff covered the stories as though the retirees were family, along with journalists who wrote columns that showed they were very concerned.Look at all the thoughtful people who wrote letters to the editor. There was support from lawyers, AARP lawyers, the Albany County Sheriff’s Department and the state Attorney General.I would say this is a mixture of some very influential people who tried to help these loyal retirees whose lives have been ruined because their pensions were taken away. More from The Daily Gazette:EDITORIAL: Urgent: Today is the last day to complete the censusEDITORIAL: Thruway tax unfair to working motoristsEDITORIAL: Beware of voter intimidationFoss: Should main downtown branch of the Schenectady County Public Library reopen?EDITORIAL: Find a way to get family members into nursing homes
Crest unveils its plans for Crawley
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PREMIUMResidents reject Bengkulu power plant after turtles die
Linkedin Google Topics : Forgot Password ? Facebook LOG INDon’t have an account? Register here Log in with your social account #Bengkulu Bengkulu power-plant coal-fired-power-plant environment #environment turtle PLTU Residents of Baai Island in Bengkulu and environmental groups continue to push the government to halt the operation of a controversial Sepang Bay coal-fired power plant, saying it has diminished biodiversity in the area.Despite the alleged biodiversity crisis and licensing problems surrounding the power plant, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the Bengkulu administration were scheduled to inaugurate the project on Wednesday. However, Jokowi cut short his visit to Bengkulu and canceled most of his plans there without immediate explanation, including the power plant inauguration.Since its construction began in 2016, Baai residents and environment activists have protested against the PLTU, accusing it of destroying the environment, as well as recently causing the deaths of 28 turtles and damaging their properties.The power plant, which began testing its systems on S…
Residents now approve of construction of COVID-19 hospital in Batam, officials claim
He said the proposed hospital would be staffed with military doctors and public volunteers, as well as health workers affiliated with the National Police and the Health Ministry.Hadi, along with Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, conducted the first field assessment of the former Vietnamese refugee camp on Wednesday.The planned construction was expected to be completed within a month, Basuki said.The plan for the hospital was initially met with surprise and resistance among locals, but authorities have sought to persuade them by disseminating information and meeting with them personally.As of Monday, Indonesia has announced six confirmed COVID-19 cases, five of whom are being treated at the Sulianti Saroso Infectious Disease Hospital in North Jakarta, while one is being treated at the Persahabatan Central General Hospital in East Jakarta. (rfa)Topics : The government plans to proceed with turning a former refugee camp on Galang Island, Batam, Riau Islands into a hospital that would specialize in the treatment of COVID-19 coronavirus patients, as officials claim that locals now support the project.On Sunday, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police inspected for a second time the site planned for the hospital, which was formerly used as a camp for Vietnam War refugees in the 1970s before being shut down in 1995.TNI commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, who led the inspection, claimed that residents of nearby Sijantung village had expressed their support for the plan. “I have met with people who live around [the former refugee camp] during a social call. Nearly everyone welcomes the construction plan,” Hadi said.The proposed hospital, he said, would be equipped with 50 isolation wards and a total of 1,000 beds, as well as a centralized oxygen supply. The isolation wards would also include 20 intensive care units (ICU), he said.He said that the hospital would also be equipped with a laboratory, a pharmacy and additional facilities such as housing for health workers.“We will provide treatment facilities, including rooms with negative pressure ventilation that use standardized filters to help accelerate recovery. We hope the hospital will be completed soon,” Hadi said.