On The Sly

Yeah, you got me. My bad. Wow, Lakefront property? I knew i should have stayed in teaching. Actually, I knew Craig was on Cumberland Head. I just didn't realize he was on the bay.

I can picture you sitting out there with a beer and your flip flops with Otis Redding playing in the background!

And when the Jello match is done, we can let Carver and the Mayor roll around together in it a little. wink wink.

Let's have these cameras have a twofold purpose. Send the results to the local tv station and show them there is news on this side of the lake.. I would also like to ask your readers, if they have an extra bottle of Beano, to send it to the the news anchor person. It seems reading the news gives him gas.

Hey fellas, give Ann a break, we all have some bad days, you've just got to dwell on the good ones ..... Plattsburgh aint paradise but we call it home ... I like it , I'm proud of it, it's got a problem or two, I would have loved mayor's cup to have been bigger and better, who wouldn't? but the city is struggling and we've got to suck it up .... I don't always agree with the mayor.. but in this case he made all the right calls....

I'm glad to see our Mayor is up late working on a budget. How else could one explain his seemingly misguided conclusion that Rubble was being critical.
Quite the contrary. I would much prefer a sedate Mayor's Cup reflective of a no fun, no nonsense Head and a peaceful bike ride in the parking lot than a Mayor's Celebration reflective of a spend now , pay later Mayor, wastefully spending taxpayers money on an expensive week of nonsense in downtown Plattsburgh.
We do have a new Mayor so often as the times and climate change. Not a bad thing , but not necessarily something needed at present.
I'd consider running for some pollitical office but I'd probably win and then get thin skinned like some do.

Kern, I live on the bay side of Cumberland Head and just walk out my door to watch the fireworks across the lake every year.

I like your jello wrestling idea. Maybe we could get your old boss Elliot Spitzer to wrestle with one of his former (?) ladies. He could wear a mask and be identified as Client # 9 from parts unknown.

Craig Mathews

Gee, Foxy, where in paradise does Ann Gosling live? This isn't my first summer away from home and Plattsburgh, by far, is not the worst place I've lived. In fact, growing up in the Burg was a great experience. This blog is like a tv. If you don't like it, turn it off. In this case, Ann, don't read it.

(Foxy's note: Thanks to another Blogoteer!)

Craig? Did you just admit in writing that you made it from the lake to your house in “a minute”? Please don’t be alarmed by the flashing red lights and sudden knock at your door that you will soon be experiencing.

Mr. Mayor? Did you happen to get Mr. Mathews on one of the cameras? Or was he simply going too fast to be detected by your modern surveillance and tracking technology. This type of video evidence is invaluable to producing rock solid cases for our local prosecutors. I strongly support you in your efforts!

I think at the reunion we ought to construct a Jello pit at Gracie's and let Randy and Ann have a little smack-down action! Five bucks a head, and as long as there is no “real” law enforcement around, we can take bets.

(Foxy's note: I think Kern doesn't realize where Craig lives! You got him on that one, Craig! -- And I'd be glad to be the referee for that Jello pit battle. I'd be just as impartial as those pro refs.)

Foxy; With over 3000 replies to your blog! One negative isn't all that bad! Keep doing the blog your way! It's working well and your loyal following looks forward each day to reading the Foxy Blog! I think Plattsburgh is a great little town with many great people and I truly enjoy the memories renewed, by your blog about growing up and living in P'Burgh. How about a July Blog Party? No cold weather and snow! Lenny

The City of Plattsburgh is one of the toughest governments to run, in my humble opinion. Those cameras won't hurt unless you're a careless driver. I've lived with cameras for a decade and never received a ticket - & I do tend to drive fast. They can provide useful evidence of personal crime, although I don't think Plattsburgh is anywhere close to D.C. in that category.

My Mom used to take us to St. Armond's Beach when we were little & it was still open - we lived in West Chazy and it was the closest. I live in Northern Virginia & we have WalMart, Costco, Sam's Club, Big K-Mart and Target among other places of this type. All are busy here & all have their strengths - I just bought my new Panasonic microwave @ Target as they recently had a promotion & the best price. I've viewed my house from the satelite pix for a number of years now - it doesn't bother me. As for that Crete Center - shame on the people who took the Crete Brothers money, left to build a community center for the people of Fox Hill, and billed it as the best investment for the City. Hey, you think Brother is Big now, wait until you spit out chewing gum and they find you using DNA technology. I say - fight giving a sample of your DNA as long as possible.

Whats the big fuss with cameras - here in Glens Falls we have them at every major intersection- they are also on the northway from Glens Falls to Albany- they are great tools for traffic control (you can watch live on a local tv's web site) and help catch law breakers- was not at mayors cup- could not get a hotel room - must of been a lot of people who enjoyed it

Foxy,
As usual I agree with The Donald. There are too many people around here who are masterful second guessers. They have all the answers and solutions after the fact.They should get involved and share their vast knowledge.
I would also like to thank The Donald and his assistant, The Kristi for their hard work in bringing us the fireworks .
I personally encountered no traffic problems. After the fireworks I was able to get from the lake to my house in about a minute. No traffic problem whatsoever.
Not since The Suzy has The Donald had a better assistant than The Kristi.

Craig Mathews

OMG .... Did you just get a negative feedback? Foxy, please keep on doing what you do. Making things interesting, nostalgic, old friends having a place to reconnect, Gosh the list goes on and on. You make my day every day where I can "Go Back in times". ANN - Climb back under your rock!!!!!! You are a stinker! LIfe is most beautiful for most and is what you make it!!! Oh.... and Hey The Donald?...... I was there in May......Yer' doin' a great job..So Glad you are there. Thanks Foxy..Hope this doesn't turn into a Jerry Springer Forum...OMG I can't stop laughing.....

(Foxy's note: The Blogoteers rise to the occasion!)

ANN, BE CAREFUL - YOU MESS WITH FOXY, YOU MESS WITH THE GOOSE. STAY WHERE YOU ARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Foxy's note: Just like when we were kids, Goose comes to my rescue!)

Foxy, Foxy
Your writings make me never regret the day I left Plattsburgh. It is a depressing place, and your subjects even more so. Please, don't bore us any further.

(Foxy's note: Gosh, Ann, I think you need to meet me this afternoon so I can give you a tour of our wonderful city. What exciting city do you live in? I can promise you that your afternoon with me will be entertaining, and not as depressing as you think. If you can't make it, don't worry, though. You are still invited to the Blogoteers Reunion this December.)

LOVE! the camera at that intersection. Obviously we cant have an Officer sitting in that intersection 24/7. I have nearly been hit several times by people running that light from all directions. Seems like innovative problem solving to me. People who worry about being watched are usually doing something wrong. I also think we will have some good memories in our future if we let this Mayor get the budget under control. At the moment the teat is dry but it wont be that way forever if we let the man do the job we elected him to do.
Let's Here for the future!

I remember when Montreal built an artificial beach on La Ronde, filtering water from the the very polluted St. Lawrence River. Why travel 65 miles, long lineups at the border for a daytrip? Time marches on Foxy!
While I applaud the opening of Target, the Canadian consumer is becoming more sophisticated and would welcome the addition of better quality retailers like Lord and Taylor, Dillards, Macys or Kohls.

Interesting comments although some are inaccurate and misinformed.
The cameras are a PILOT program which hopefully will make communities safer. That should be the priority for all residents and visitors. Citizens want safety but freedoms as well. Doesn't work that way in today's world. Comment on city workers being monitored is humorous but simply wrong and inappropriate but not surprising.
I have to chuckle at the comments on this blog, Foxy, and letters to the editor about Mayor's Cup. It is easy to criticize from the peanut gallery (and non city residents as well) when no funds are available to hold events yet expectations are high. It is easy to be critical of elected officials at all levels from the cheap seats. Instead of criticizing, RUBBLE, step and run for office. And, if not, give a contribution to the 2009 Mayor's Cup. And wild partying.....

(Foxy's note: The Donald has spoken! Thanks for the input. Much appreciated.)

Foxy; Great Memories of P'Burgh ! The Beach, AW Stand and Summer Fun Times!
Stopping at Gus"s for a delicious Michigan Hot Dog! Cameras; I live in a gated community with security guards! In addition we have Cameras! I drive out of my community and the red light has Cameras ! The local elks club has Cameras outside and around the inside of the club! It's life in the world we live in today! Right or wrong! Old Times! are Gone!
Trust is Out! Sued Someone is the Norm!
Lenny

(Foxy's note: Congratulations, Lenny! You are the 3000th comment on ON THE SLY. I'll be sending you a free "Fox on the Run" tee-shirt.)

The only traffic camera in place is the one at the intersection of N/S Catherine St and Broad St. It is working but is still in the testing phase. When it does come online (soon) the way it works is if your vehicle is caught on camera you will get a friendly letter from the DMV along with a copy of the picture and a "coupon" which you will then use to send the DMV part of your hard-earned money. I haven't heard how much but I think it is around $75. I also don't know if it is just a fine or if it is also a moving violation. I was driving through there Saturday night and the car in front of me ran the red and there was this big flash of light so I know it is working. I will alert everyone when I find it out it is online.

(Foxy's note: Excellent update, UPS Dave. You, of all people, certainly know what's happening in our fair city. A+ for you!)

Silly city boy, rain is not the friend of the farmer. Wet hay is bad hay. Price of hay goes up so does your food bill. Rain bad for the farmer, No rain, bad for the farmer too. If you talk to a farmer you will realize all weather is bad for the farmer. Only happy farmer is the one who sold his farm to Oliver Wendell Douglas of Green Acres fame.
Fox at the beach in his Speedo. Interesting vision. Kind of reminds me of the old potato joke. Put the potato in the front, not back.
Mayors Cup is often a reflection of the sitting mayor. NO fun mayor lends itself to no fun Mayor's Celebration. Some mayors might enjoy wild partying others might enjoy taking a peaceful bike ride in the new waterfront parking lot. That is why we have a new mayor every so often.
Real reason that the cameras are at intersections now is so that city workers can be tracked throughout the day.
Things aren't so bad though, A&W is back , even if it doesn't have the allure of the city dump.

Foxy:

I can recall many enjoyable days spent at the beach when the crowds numbered in the thousands. Those were the days before the Crete Center ( a white elephant in my opinion) carved out a huge portion of the parking lot. Shortly thereafter NYS decided to eliminate a huge portion of the state park to create its own parking lot. Many beautiful campsites were lost and the crowds disappeared. Change is not always good.

If you think those cameras in Plattsburgh are intrusive, the project being floated here in St. Lawrence County might be worse. The legislators are considering having the county photographed via satellite to provide detailed pics of each property. Ostensibly, the purpose is to provide law enforcement agencies valuable knowledge in case of an incident. After checking the website of the firm doing the work, Pictometry.com, it turns out that successive yearly passes of the 'eye in the sky' will provide the assessors with evidence of construction without the proper permits - thus more $$ for the county coffers. This company is peddling its services around the state so you folks in Clinton County should be aware. Don't be sunbathing in your backyards when the 'bird' is overhead as the pics will be available to the public.

George Orwell had it all right, I'm afraid, except for the date.

Let's hear it for the 'good old days'!