Fame game must be saved
Major League Baseball's recent choice to cancel the Hall of Fame Game after 2008 is outrageous on many levels. I launched
www.savethefamegame.com to give people the opportunity to let their voices be heard, and to give them the power to help reverse this decision. Whether it's the school kids or merchants of Cooperstown, or a baseball fan in Central New York or California, the effect of this decision is far reaching.
Hundreds of letters have already been sent to Major League Baseball President and Chief Operating Officer Bob Dupuy, Major League Baseball Players Association Chief Don Fehr and Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey. Please visit
www.savethefamegame.com to send an e-mail of your own and join those who believe in saving the Hall of Fame Game, and help spread the word to everyone you know!
The Hall of Fame Game is about the experience on the whole. Please take a few minutes out of your day to help keep an almost 70-year tradition alive in the home of the national pastime.
Don't allow Major League Baseball and others to kill one of the few remaining pure events in all of professional sports at a time when we so desperately need such a thing.
Thank you very much.
M. Kristian Connolly
Washington, D.C.
Connolly is a 1995 graduate of Cooperstown Central School.
Douglas unfairly attacked by Star
The Feb. 4 editorial, "Society safe from Douglas," was disturbing.
The writer overlooked some important parts of the story. Corbin was found not guilty of the death of his child, yet he is made to look guilty again and again by reporters. Corbin also lost his first and only child, which was a tragedy to him and caused him much pain.
Another significant fact is that the mother of the child was aware of the drug problems of Corbin and chose to leave the child with him. Most people would see that as neglect, or at the least, poor judgment on her part.
Why would anyone hope that a 22-year-old would be sentenced to life in prison? Most prisoners come out worse than when they went in. Does the writer think that if Corbin associates for 30 years with the dregs of society, that he will come out a better person?
Why would the writer think that a drug-addicted person can make good judgments about his child's safety, or make a wise decision about his drug use. Addiction is powerful and it overrides good judgment and common sense.
I question why this "danger to society" was not brought to trial on his first DWI conviction. Maybe if that had happened there could have been more-appropriate intervention like a drug treatment program.
Drug addiction is a serious problem in this country and we don't solve it by putting people in prison for the rest of their lives, or calling them selfish, or attacking them publicly for their bad choices.
Corbin has already been tried in the courts. Why are we trying him in the newspapers? Hasn't he and his family suffered enough?
Gail Lebenick
New Berlin
Southside needs bike path
We attended the public information meeting at Oneonta High School regarding Oneonta Southside improvements on Jan. 29. It was interesting and informative. However, as we looked at the plans for the roadway improvements, we found no designated bicycle paths.
The plans call for a wide shoulder, a strip of grass and a narrow sidewalk for pedestrians. But, as we stated, no plans for a designated bike path.
The speed limit on the James Lettis Highway is 55 mph, creating a very unsafe situation for cyclists on the shoulder of the road.
This situation could be remedied by making the shoulder narrower and the sidewalk wider, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to share the sidewalk.
At the meeting, we were told these plans are long-range and will service this area for many years.
With the skyrocketing costs of oil and environmental concerns, it is hard to imagine why the state Department of Transportation would consider a project costing $15.5 million that does not include a bike path.
If you would like to voice your thoughts regarding this project, you can e-mail Bill Naylor at pin912043@dot.state.ny.us, or write him at William Naylor, project manager, NYSDOT Region 9, 44 Hawley St., Binghamton, NY 13901-3200.
Linda and Ed Spencer
Oneonta
Romney was best qualified
The most experienced manager in the contenders for the presidency was Mitt Romney.
Mr. Romney, as governor of Massachusetts, turned a debt of hundreds of millions of dollars into a positive balance of about the same amount. He started and built Staples into a thriving business.
What about the other five folks who want the office? One was a governor, who did little to distinguish himself.
If any of the three senators ever had an original idea, I have not seen it.
The other person seems unable to secure many votes.
Now, please think about this. Are you certain you voted wisely?
James M. Price
Norwich
Why not outlaw all bad things?
My response to the Feb. 8 letter by Charles Eckelmann on tobacco is that it's a really good idea.
Let's just outlaw everything that is bad for people. Just to mention a few _ alcohol, fatty foods, factory exhaust, truck and car exhaust and, of course, let us not forget the water and air that may be polluted.
Some people must be real saints that they never contribute to the state of our environment. They must walk or ride a horse, never buy plastic, and last but least, is a Band-Aid biodegradable?
Teri Forbes
Springfield Center
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