Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties are great places to live and raise a family. I have said this for years and continue to believe it. Part of what makes this a great place to live is the people here. There is a great sense of community here. People genuinely care about each other. We are a friendly lot, and we still have a lot of the small-town values here. We are a giving people here.

I have seen up close the various organizations that United Way supports: Adirondack Community Action Program, Citizen Advocates, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, JCEO, RSVP, Literacy Volunteers, YMCA and the Senior Citizens Council, to name a few. Whether you know it or not, most all of us have been touched by one of the organizations that United Way supports.

Now I know that the economy on a national level is unsettled, and even here we are feeling the effects of the slowdown. However, as one person once told me, a crisis is never scheduled. No one schedules to out of work or to get sick. A youth does not wait until times are good to get involved in a gang or to need help with homework. Our senior citizens would prefer not to need Meals on Wheels. At times like we are in now is when the services of a lot of the programs we support are needed most. As we look to cut back on some things, I hope that United Way is not one of them. In fact, it is time to step up and increase your contribution or make that first one. This is money that stays in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties goes to Clinton, Essex and Franklin County agencies, benefiting Clinton, Essex and Franklin County residents. We need your contributions and we need you to encourage those around you to contribute as well. Please, help me in my march around the county and support our community by supporting United Way. For more information, please contact me or Kathy Snow, at 518-563-0028, or visit the United Way website at www.unitedwayadk.org or your contribution can be mailed to 45 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

If you have made your contribution thank you! Rest assured your dollars will be wisely used to change lives right here in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

James Monty

Supervisor, town of Lewis