Deer in the headlines is not funny

To the editor

I was saddened and disappointed by the headline and caption accompanying the picture of the deer with Christmas lights wrapped around his antlers in the Oct. 11, issue of the Adirondack Express. Instead of showing concern for the well being of the deer, the newspaper poked fun at him. The callous headline and caption remind me that too many of us take nature for granted and see animals as entertainment rather than valuable beings that hold a special place on our planet. To me, the deer tangled in the lights is no different than a bird with plastic wrapped around its neck, a dolphin caught in a fishermen’s net, or a seabird covered in oil in the Gulf of Mexico. I’m sure none of us would laugh at animals in those situations.

I hope that, by the time this is printed, someone has helped this deer and that he hasn’t gotten the lights tangled up in something from which he cannot free himself. I also hope that this serves as a reminder to us to pick up after ourselves outside, be it trash or holiday decorations. Lastly, I hope I’m not the only person who is upset that this deer was portrayed as a joke rather than an animal in need.

Carrie Gayne, Boonville

Clarifying a position on health care

To the editor:

In the Oct. 11 Express, there was an article by Chrissy Prichard concerning health care in our community, which Judith Barker responded to in the Oct. 18 Express. Because I was quoted quite a bit in the article, I would like to clarify my position.

I agree with Mrs. Barker, that the doctors at the Old Forge Health Center are indeed very competent and helpful to the extent that they can be.

My concern is with the unfortunate number of people who are not regular patients or who do not carry the accepted health insurance, so are turned away. Perhaps Mrs. Barker has not heard any of the many stories that have been told to me from people who have been refused care that was urgently needed. Even simple remedies are not always available. This is no way reflects on the doctors or nurses, but is caused by the lack of personnel or equipment to deal with these emergencies.

I am hoping, through careful planning, to help improve, not negate, the health care we have. If our community is going to encourage tourists to visit and older people to retire here, we need to be able to assure them that the medical care they may need, except for major issues, will be available closer than fifty or sixty miles away. We cannot, with honesty, do that unless some changes are made

Letty E. Haynes, Inlet

A vote for county legislator

To the editor:

I’m writing to show my support for the candidacy of Mr. Jon Hansen for the office of Herkimer County Legislator to represent District 15. Although I’m not a resident of the district and have only known Mr. Hansen for a short while, I still feel certain of his ability to be an outstanding legislator for the county and would like to share that certainty with the voters of the North Country. Some of you might already know of his many contributions to the Town of Webb  as Councilman and of his initiating and operating the Adirondack  Deer Run for many years, an even with much community benefit.

Now Jon is  ready to serve a wider constituency in a way that will be of even greater benefit to the people that he will represent. He pledges to practice a totally different kind of legislative style from  the one that you’ve had to deal with in the past. He will be open and engaging, transparent and accountable, and, most important, he will manage the county with common sense—no private agendas, no party obligations, no going along to get along. He will always act and behave in the best interests of his district and the county.

Many people in the area have recalled for me their past, uplifting dealings with Jon and expressed every confidence that he will serve you well, with his honesty,energy and especially his remarkable creativity and imagination. They said, “If there are problems facing your county, Jon’s the man”.

Please vote on Nov. 8, to elect a person who will help to move this county in a positive direction.

Carl Streeter, Ilion