Sunday Opinion: No to nuke power, yes to Catholic schools.

Here’s a round-up of the weekend opinion pages across the North Country.  The Glens Falls Post Star weighs in with a firm rejection of Rep. Chris Gibson’s call for a nuclear power plant to be sited in the 20th congressional district.

There certainly have been advances in safety, security and efficiency since the world began using nuclear power as a commercial energy source back in 1954.

But by its nature, nuclear power is still not green, it’s still not cheap, and it’s still not completely safe.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise, meanwhile, laments the steady decline of the North Country’s Roman Catholic schools.

These schools are excellent – we say that with knowledge and conviction – but then why is enrollment down to unsustainable levels: about 45 students in kindergarten through grade five at St. Bernard’s [in Saranac Lake], and about 35 in St. Agnes [in Lake Placid]?

The Watertown Daily Times says those hoping for major reforms in the US Senate (including us bloggers here at the In Box) shouldn’t hold their breaths.

Anyone expecting radical changes in Senate operations will be disappointed. As New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, said, “On certain bills, we will both use every procedural tactic we have under the rules.”  So, for the most part, it’s business as usual in the Senate.

On the other hand, the Plattsburgh Press Republican suggests that the effort by New York lawmakers — including Bill Owens and Chris Gibson — to mingle with members of the opposite party during the state of the state could be a first step toward a more civil tone in Washington.

Congratulations to the New York delegation and all the others for making an effort to break the mounting logjam in Washington. A Democrat sitting next to a Republican isn’t going to repair the damage, but it’s at least a sign that somebody’s willing to try.

Tags: economy, environment, politics, schools