Pubdate: Sun, 21 Sep 2003
Source: Ogdensburg Journal/Advance News (NY)
Copyright: 2003 St. Lawrence County Newspapers Corp
Contact: P.O. Box 409, Ogdensburg, New York 13669
Website: http://www.ogd.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/689
Author: Joanne Monnet
Note: Accepts LTEs by mail only! Must be signed w/phone#
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03.n1352.a03.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03.n1374.a06.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03.n1379.a12.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03.n1381.a02.html
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03.n1388.a03.html

POT CROP

To The Editor:

I am disappointed in the actions of our Sheriff Department with the
most recent marijuana bust which was supposedly worth millions of
dollars.  It is bad enough our legislators have to make difficult
decisions daily in order to keep our county running. They like many
other people are influenced by the local media events and happenings.
That whole hemp seizure was nothing more than propaganda to try to
deter the outcome of budget cuts to their department.

If there were 70,000-80,000 real marijuana plants, I doubt these
agencies would burn the evidence without first attempting an
investigation. Local agencies arrest people on a pot pipe alone, yet
they allow a bust of this magnitude to go overlooked.  Let's call a
spade a spade, this crop was hemp.

As far as The Journal is concerned, I certainly hope this is a wake up
call. The coverage of this story was without doubt biased.  They
printed this story without research, and complete lack of regard for
their readers' intelligence.

Unfortunately, we now live in a society where trust for our government
is waning. We have so many federal law enforcement officers patrolling
our roads and streets it makes you wonder if we are being over
policed. I am all for keeping the Sheriffs office but let's do it in a
fair and honest manner.

I think it is time for the taxpaying public to ask the serious
question: How best do you want your tax money spent?  Let your
legislators know, the one great thing I found out recently is that,
they really want your answer.

Joanne Monnet
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin