Mon news roundup: Summer fun, toothiness, dissolution

Happy Monday! As we seem to finally be moving toward summer, so moves the news. The Glens Falls Post-Star ran a story on Friday on efforts high school administrators are trying to make to keep the horseplay to a minimum as seniors and underclassmen wrap up their high school careers.

I had actually thought before reading this article that it was going to be about said administrators tightening things up in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shootings last December and a recent spate of bomb threats in St. Lawrence County schools, but it’s mostly about administrators trying to keep things under control.

It’s quite easy to read this article and dismiss those trying to tone down the hijinks as humorless, 1970s or ’80s movie-style killjoys (particularly the principal of Whitehall High School in Washington County, who has actually forbidden the wearing of togas by seniors). But they do make a fair, although no doubt ill-taken point, that while seniors and other celebrating teens are doing their thing, other students are still wrapping up their academic years.

So what do you think, “get off my lawn!” or a return to reason at a crazy time of year?

More summer fun will doubtless be had this August as Waddington hosts one of 10 Bassmaster Elite tournaments that will be held around the country. This could be a big deal for business, and to make sure locals take advantage of the opportunity the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is holding a “Business of Bassmaster” class on Wednesday, June 12, from 1-4 p.m. in Potsdam (details here.)

In less summer-related news, Watertown’s continuing debate on water flouridation continues this week as dentist and New York State Bureau of Dental Health Director Dr. Jayanth V. Kumar will speak to the city council on the benefits of flouridation. The Watertown Daily Times reports that Watertown Anti-Flouridation Action, a local group of 40 people, has been coming to city council meetings over the last few months to lobby against the use of flouride in the city’s water system.

And, the Plattsburgh Press Republican reports, the Adirondack village of Keeseville is studying how it can carry out the dissolution that it voted for in January. The village, which is (at the moment) located in the towns of AuSable and Chesterfield, will dissolve on December 31 of this year.