Letters to the Editor for Saturday, March 16

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Fitzpatrick and Kormos are qualified leaders in Ballston Spa

Dear Ballston Spa neighbors, we hope you will join us in support of the candidacies of Christine
Fitzpatrick and Liz Kormos for this wonderful village’s Board of Trustees. The election is March 19 and
polls are open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. We know that Christine’s years of private sector and government
experience and Liz’s financial, consulting and grant-writing background will be valuable assets to the
Village and its residents. Their perspectives, deep love for Ballston Spa and straight-up tenacity will help
lead us toward a bright future.
We hope you’ll join us in supporting Liz and Christine; together we will make our village an even better
Ballston Spa.
Noah Shaw and Shawn Raymond
Ballston Spa
The writers are Village Trustees
 

Pro-abortion Catholics are hypocritical
 

Hey Pro-Abortion “Catholic” Politicians: Stop misleading voters with your false piety. The Catholic Church’s teaching on abortion is very clear, it’s evil. It’s the murder of innocent pre-born children made in the image and likeness of God. Pope Francis compared having an abortion to hiring a hit man “to take out a human life to solve a
problem.”
But that doesn’t stop pro-abortion Catholics like Cuomo, Tonko, Gillibrand, Sheehan, Breslin, McDonald, Fahy, and Steck from bragging about how holy they are in their own eyes. “I was an altar boy” squealed Governor Cuomo. “I grew up around Irish Catholics” boasted Phil Steck. “I’m a practicing Catholic” cried John McDonald. “I speak as someone who is Catholic” shrieked Patricia Fahy.
These self-proclaimed “Catholics” sprint in front of cameras at every parish picnic, every charity ceremony, and push into Catholic schools to access our children. Yet they show no intention of repentance, no intention of reconciling themselves to God, no intention of living a true faith filled life. Instead they defend their murderous votes in support of late term abortion and infanticide. It’s time for Catholic faithful to take a stand. Tell Cuomo, Tonko, Gillibrand, Sheehan, Breslin, McDonald, Fahy, and Steck to go fake worship somewhere else. Tell them: Change your ways or leave because you’re leading others astray.
Jennifer Richards
Burnt Hills

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so on behalf of the Cancer Services Program of Fulton, Montgomery & Schenectady Counties, I’d like to share some valuable information and clear up a few myths about colon cancer.
All men and women ages 50 to 75 years old should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer). Colon cancer is preventable through screening and is highly curable if found early. Despite this, it’s still the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women in New York State.
Most people diagnosed with colon cancer do not have a family history.
Others think that screening is only needed if they have symptoms such as blood in their stool. However, many cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in people who don’t have symptoms, which is why getting tested is so important.
Another misunderstanding is that the tests are painful, and the preparation is unpleasant. The truth is there are several tests to choose from, including stool-based tests that are easy, painless, and can be done at home.
Many people think that screening is expensive. Not so. Health insurance plans in New York State are required to cover colon cancer screening. And for those who are uninsured, our program provides free screening to men and women age 50 and older.
If you do not have health insurance and are 40-64, please contact us to see if you are eligible for the program. Call (518) 841-3726.
Suzanne Hagadorn
Amsterdam
The writer is a program manager for Cancer Services Program of Fulton, Montgomery & Schenectady Counties.

I’m finally 62 but sadly my pension is gone

This week is my 62nd birthday. This is the month I should be entitled to my St. Clare’s Hospital pension. I worked there 29 years on the cardiac unit and in the Emergency Room.

Happy times, sad times, scary times, heartbreaking times and a few miracles. I worked nights and weekends and spent many holidays with other people’s families. But now after 37 years of nursing I’m tired. I looked forward to this month when I could slow down some. Maybe go part time or per diem. Travel, visit friends and family, spend more time with my grandsons, and help prepare for a new grand baby this fall. But now because of under funding and probable mismanagement of my pension fund none of what was promised me will be coming. Thirty seven years of nursing the Schenectady community and now who will take care of me? Many of my former coworkers have this same story. We’ve had wonderful verbal support from the community, some politicians and even from the Bishop. But still no tangible help has come our way. We are still praying for our miracle.

Karen Kelley Sacchetti, RN
Schenectady

Ballston bait and switch
 

In a puff-piece article in March 8’s Daily Gazette that may have been written by the town’s $18,000 per year PR firm, the article begins, “The town is moving closer to adopting zoning changes that would help preserve farmland and open space in the more rural western part of town.”

Residents have been carefully parsing the proposed zoning changes and have proof that these changes will only open up more farmland for development. In addition it promises to increase density in the northern part of town so if you live near the Village of Ballston Spa you can expect even more traffic nightmares.

Nice bait-and-switch there folks, but the residents aren’t stupid. Regardless of the quote from our esteemed town planner who said, “It’s different and I think Ballston is really excited about it.”  Not sure if Sophia has confused the peoples’ reaction to the original vs. the final drafts, or she’s just learned how to put lipstick on the pig. Residents are angry with the proliferation of unattractive and cramped apartments lining Routes 50 and 67, and the ever-increasing traffic problems to the point of standstills on Rt. 50 and Rt. 67 several times every day.
Reducing the size of the Ag District is not farmland protection. It’s catering to developers who have run out of land to build on with adequate water and drainage. The residents are really asking only one question: Are Ballston Town Officials working for the residents or the developers?
Polly Windels
Ballston Lake
 

Supervisor Syed Should have voted

Recently, the Town of Niskayuna entered into an agreement with Pepsi bottling of Colonie to accept soda water at the upgraded waste water treatment plant. I was astonished to read in The Gazette that Supervisor Yasmine Syed abstained from voting on this proposal.
For a town official to abstain from voting in their legislative capacity, the generally accepted standard is personal conflict or lack of subject matter knowledge. Neither of these justifications were offered. Syed noted that “There were some questions that several residents here brought up…. I have to take those concerns to heart.” Considering the concerns of local residents is a legitimate reason not to support the measure, but by refusing to vote, the supervisor expressed that she is indifferent to the outcome. On this occasion and two prior votes about the waste water treatment plant, she failed to legislate and govern as the chief elected official of the municipality.
Syed noted that the matter had “pros and cons,” most matters before any legislative body will have “pros and cons.” If important matters of town governance were self-evident and straight forward, we wouldn’t have need for a paid Town Supervisor.
Supervisor Syed gets paid to vote and paid to lead. An abstention is neither.
Michael Skrebutenas
Niskayuna

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Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion