Letters to the Editor
National Trust deserves thanks

To the Editor,

Much has been written about the benefits of historic buildings, both residential and commercial, being listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places. To answer this, the properties are honored for their importance, over the years, to their community with pride and awareness.

These buidlings become recognized and visible components of public and private laud-use planning and promote heritage tourism and economic development.

On August 16, Gov. George Pataki signed into law New York State's first-ever tax incentives for the rehabilitation of historic residential and commercial buildings.

On October 1, The National Trust for Historic Preserbation made public its success in obtaining written commitments from all four major drug chains not to demolish buildings individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Those four major drug chains are CVS/pharmacy, Eckerd, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

For several years the NTHP has worked extensively on the issue of chain drug stores and their attempst to target prime locations at key intersections that are highly visible. These sites hve often been considered prime real estate for generations and, therefore, are frequently occupied by historic buildings. The sad part is that the historic building is usually a masterpiece of craftsmanship (from an earlier era) that is no longer available today. Its replacement is of nondescript "architecture" (a box) that possesses little redeeming value.

Congratulations to the National Trust for convincing the major drug chains not to demolish annotated, registered buildings. We salute your efforts.

Rosalie Niemczyk Bath Help make 2007 Relay for Life a success

Dear Editor,

The Bath Relay for Life is truly a community working together in the fight against cancer. Our community raised over $64,000 at the 2006 Bath Relay for Life. Imagine what we can do next year.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the 2007 Bath Relay for Life is encouraged to attend a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m., to be held at The Days Inn, adjacent to Sonora's Mexican Restaurant, West Morris, Street, Bath. There are numerous ways to get involved. New committee members are welcome. Join us! Relay for Life is a community gathering, where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Your help is needed. There's a place for you at Relay.

Sincerely, Rita Hoover, Robin Plourde, Lyana Wood,

Bath Relay for Life chairs Closing Valley school doesn't make sense

Dear Editor,

I am totally against the Valley Elementary School being closed, because I feel that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. How can the board justify closing a school that "deserves praise" just to save $100,000 per year and $1.4 million in repairs? How can they justify closing it after stating "the quality of education students receive at the Valley is exceptional"?

The meeting on Oct. 10 about closing the Valley was a huge disappointment. The board didn't allow enough time for the meeting, and they didn't give everybody a chance to speak. I can't believe they stated that what the voters want doesn't matter. They said, "It's the board's decision."

There were several issues about the Valley I found lacking. The board's biggest issue was enrollment. If they didn't keep taking students out of the Valley, there wouldn't be such a decline. Transitions were another big issue. The board kept stressing moving to a new school is damaging. I think making one transition from the Valley to the high school would be better for the students. How is safety and security an issue? the Valley is safer because everybody knows everybody. Travel time to the Valley for the teachers was an issue, but the students having a 30-minute longer bus ride wasn't?

Several of the original issues were proven false. Transportation was proven to be very inexpensive. Also, the roof is being repaired and therefore is not an issue. I was shocked at the cost of $571,000 to replace 19 windows. That averages out to over $30,000 per window! I hope the board realizes that they have no legitimate argument why the Valley should be closed. Therefore, they have no reason to consider doing so. I believe the only reason the board wants to close the Valley is to force the capital project. It certainly isn't for the sake of the students. The Tuscarora building is already cramped, but the board wants to move an additional 72 students there. They should utilize the space they have at the Valley.

Betsy Stiker said she expects the board to make a decision by Christmas and if it closes it would be at the end of the year. How can she make a statement, then deny it to all of us at the meeting and say the newspaper lied. Maybe next year, we should elect honest people to be on the board.

Christina Davis Cameron

The last day for publishing ads or letters to the editor concerning elections or budget votes, that we deem controversial or that require equal time for a rebuttal, is two Sundays prior to the election.

Deadline for submissions for that edition is noon the previous Thursday. The only ads or letters accepted the last Sunday prior to the election will be rebuttals to early submissions or those or those deemed non controversial.