Your Turn: Your Feedback On Fuel Spill, Area Code & Fuel Costs

We asked for your feedback on Jeff Cole’s special report ‘Gone’ about the undetected leak of hundreds of thousands of gallons of jet fuel at Fort Drum.

Here are a couple of your messages:

“Another excellent report. The $40 million clean-up cost seems reasonable, depending on how closely the contractors are monitored. I find it difficult to believe that a leak of this magnitude could go unnoticed by everyone.”

John Hartmann

“Instead of closing all our ATV roads, maybe the DEC should look at the mess Fort Drum has made with putting 345,000 gallons of jet fuel in the ground.”

R. Roach

The state is holding public hearings about the future of the 315 area code. The region is running out of phone numbers and a new area code is needed.

Here’s what some of you had to say:

“The 315 area code should be left as is because of the expense of all the changing, and all the inconvenience to all involved.”

Barb Conto

“If there is a shortage of new numbers, maybe the new customers should receive a new area code! Why make a simple thing complicated?”

C. Gilson

“This is a NO BRAINER for you final decision makers. We who have it, keep it, and the new people get a new area code.”

S. Russell

Volunteer firefighters are worried about rising gas prices because they have to pay for their own fuel when they respond to emergencies.

Here are some of your thoughts:

“It was taken by many people in the town that it is Hammond feeling the crunch. We are not feeling the crunch yet, but in the next few years we may if gas prices stay on the rise. Hammond Fire & Rescue is still staying strong and answers calls like we always have. My point for the story was that if gas prices keep rising, it’s going to take a toll on ALL volunteer organizations, not just fire departments.”

Scott Kron

“It is very disturbing that one of our volunteer firemen feels as he does. Every taxpayer has a right to vent their frustrations about rising gas prices. However, he had no right bringing our community and fire department into the picture. He holds no office in the fire department or as a village official. As everyone is feeling the effects of rising gas prices, we want to respond to our community and reassure them of our commitment to run calls in an urgent manner. Regardless of gas prices we will continue to support our fire district in all aspects. Be assured we will take care of the needs of our community. We would like to believe that there will never come a time that individuals should have to pay for our volunteer services. We are extremely lucky to have a very supportive community.”

Shelly Youngs
Hammond Mayor

See Diane Rutherford’s report:

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