There are many New Yorkers who could benefit from the medical qualities Marijuana has. Medical Marijuana can help treat cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, and many other illnesses. Marijuana is already legal for medical use in District of Columbia, California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Maine, Montana, Michigan, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Vermont, Hawaii, and New Jersey. We are asking New York State Senate to pass The Compassionate Care Act to allow sick New Yorkers legal access to Medical Marijuana.

We want to keep our neighborhood the way it is. We do not want flag lots, condos, apartments, or large multifamily structures invading our neighborhoods. Families in Lake Balboa love the quiet oak lined streets, and we will fight against anything that diminishes our quality of life.

I feel we really need to look at other options for weed control. I've heard that Australia simply uses a machine that sprays very hot steam! We could improve our economy by taking the millions we spend on herbicide and paying the road workers to weed wack instead. This way we will protect our health, the health of the Aina and at the same time stop the support of Monsanto. The Round Up doesn't stop nature. When I drive our highways I still see all the grass and all the trees. The damage doesn't disappear or look cut, manicured or cared for. It just looks brown and sick. I Can't help but wonder what kind of impressions this makes on our valued tourists as they drive our poisoned pathways? What do you think this continuous exposure will do to our health and the delicate ecosystem of the land and ocean? I read an article in my state medical insurance magazine that said they expected a rise in a certain kind of cancer that they know is caused by herbicides. I also read that when our ground water was tested it was contaminated with glyphosate (an ingredient in Round Up). I think we need to search for natural alternatives to Round Up before we suffer anymore of the consequences. Mahalo, Kelly Brownell

The U.S. Senate will be voting after Thanksgiving on a bill to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour over three years. The bill would also increase the tipped minimum wage, which has been $2.13 an hour since 1991. Huge majorities across the political spectrum support an increase in the minimum wage. It's good for workers, good for local businesses, and it's the right thing to do. Tell Senators McConnell and Paul: it's time to raise the minimum wage.

We recognize that the education of our youth is paramount to the success of our community. Further, we acknowledge that any distraction from the education of our youth hampers the success of our community. The alleged wrongdoings of Cortez Quinn came to light over a year ago. For more than a year, then, the Twin Rivers Unified School District and Board of Education have been distracted from their only job - ensuring the success of 28,000 students in 50 schools throughout the Sacramento area. The charges against Cortez Quinn include four felony counts of perjury, four felony counts of filing false documents, and five misdemeanor counts related to improper receipt of the loans and gifts. 13 charges of wrongdoing will no doubt distract the Twin Rivers Unified School District and Board of Education until Cortez Quinn is found innocent or guilty. We cannot afford further distractions. Cortez Quinn, we request that you resign effectively immediately.

I know too many families who are holding on by their fingernails in this state...

Because this country is off track. This America, we know longer can afford to live the American dream with these three individuals chipping away at our freedom and liberty daily through bureaucratic agencies that they have created.

Please....help us to stop a vote for $300,00,000 for a Fracking refinery by the City of Phoenix and mayor for North Dakota ! Time is of the essence, please...let them know in a friendly manner that to vote for this huge sum of money is not only financially risky but...immoral because it is a crime against to humanity to poison the water of another state so that children and adults will become sick from it ! Thank you, Leonard Clark :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebhcGdr_BtE

Gerrymandering creates too many "safe" seats in both parties. Gerrymandering is one of the causes of legislative gridlock. More democracy is better.

My job at Baldwin-Wallace College was eliminated while I was on a disability leave for a serious illness, despite the fact that their action violated their policy, which "guaranteed" my job for such a leave. Their despicable behavior has caused my family and me great financial and emotional distress. I want B-W to honor and to be accountable for promises made in their Employee Handbook!

Years ago, when I was working on my Ph.D. my mentor had tuberculosis but we didn't know about it until he passed away. I find ironic that college instructors must be tested for TB and university professors do not. Tuberculosis is gaining grounds in the world, and among faculty, it is university professors who travel the most - especially in countries where tuberculosis is prevalent. This puts their students and colleagues at risk. Every one who works with students should be tested for TB.

As a citizen of Calvert County who lives about 6 miles south of this plant, I'm concerned that this area will become the target of terrorists. This LNG plant is just 3 miles south of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, and if a disaster occurs at the LNG plant, it could cause a serious problem at the CCNPP.