LETTERS

Letters to editor, 1/26

Speaker Silver has to go now

I have written here on this page about the dictatorial, anti-constitutional Republic antics of New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. His arrest by the FBI on corruption charges should awaken everyone in New York state. This is what happens when someone has been in power too long. It does not matter what political affiliation the person adheres to. It all goes back to "absolute power corrupts absolutely."

I have long stated that Silver should be the poster boy for term limits in this state. The only way to get this done will be through a state Constitution change as Albany refuses to clean itself up. We would need support of two successive legislative sessions before "We the People" can even vote on it. That is not likely to happen with the corrupt leadership in Albany. What is desperately needed is a State Constitutional Convention. The last State Constitutional Convention was in 1967, almost 50 years ago. "We the People" need to demand term limits in state government and a constitutional convention. While we're at it, let's make the state Senate more like the U.S. Senate in that it is not based upon population apportionment. Each county should get one seat in the Senate.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo owes the people an explanation as to what he knew about this and why he shut down the Moreland Commission. Silver must step down for the betterment of New York state. Anyone who makes excuses for him should go as well. He is the embodiment of government corruption and is a disgrace.

Dean G. Chapman

Wappingers Falls

Community colleges play a vital role

As an educator, I am delighted the national spotlight is once again on community colleges. President Obama's proposal to make community college tuition free for students who maintain a 2.5 GPA, and Tom Hanks' recent account of his own experience in higher education, emphasize the vital role our institutions play in providing open access to education and opportunity.

Mr. Hanks' account of how he "found himself" at a community college, and his summation that, "That place made me what I am today," reflect the sentiments of millions of two-year college alumni throughout the country. (New York Times op-ed Jan. 14.)

As president of Dutchess Community College, I hear stories from students of all abilities, backgrounds and interests, whose lives have been profoundly and positively transformed by their interaction with our faculty and staff, the challenge of academically rigorous courses, and the cultural enrichment provided through exposure to new ideas and a diverse campus community.

DCC will always strive to provide a quality education at an affordable cost. Our low tuition, along with scholarship opportunities, enable the majority of our graduates to incur little or no student loan debt while at DCC. By carefully stewarding the public support we receive from the county and state, along with the private contributions of generous donors, Dutchess Community College is a strategic gateway to educational and career opportunities in our area.

I am hopeful that community colleges will continue to be at the forefront of conversations about the importance of higher education to a thriving economy and a viable democracy. Our role in creating an educated citizenry and elevating individuals, families, communities and the nation cannot be overstated.

Pamela R. Edington

President

Dutchess Community College

Fracking ban must be upheld

Thank you for publishing the article " Threat to NY's fracking ban could come from Congress." (Poughkeepsie Journal website, Jan. 18.)

The article was well done an very informative.

If the state infringes on an individual's ability to exercise their property rights, it is understandable that they would want to be compensated for the loss of that property.

People who argue landowners can "do something else with their property" like farming or subdivide, fail to acknowledge the economic reality of the situation. Corn and soybean prices have plummeted, and why would people build a house in an area where there are no good jobs? The logic doesn't add up.

Isaac Orr

Waupaca, Wis.