Don’t overestimate speed camera bounty

The city of Schenectady expects millions from cameras catching speeders in school zones. I doubt it.

In response to the woman killed a number of years ago at the intersection of Erie Boulevard and State Street, I wrote on these pages about the drivers in Erie, Pa. Those drivers speed like New Yorkers, run red lights like New Yorkers, but creep through school zones at 15 mph. Why? Because strict enforcement by the police has taught them to slow down.

The expected $2.3 million in 2026 would be the city’s share of $4.6 million collected from 92,000 tickets (more than 500 every single school day).

The drivers in Erie, Pa., learned. Surely the city expects that after a driver gets their fifth ticket, they would either slow down or avoid school zones.

Instead, have the police issue tickets to drivers. Tickets come with higher fines, points on their license and higher insurance premiums. Drivers will learn quickly.

Then use those cameras at red lights and really make money.

Jim Fogarty

Niskayuna

Thankful for veterans

With Veterans Day soon approaching, thank you to all veterans for your service to our country on Veterans Day and every day.

Rita Smith

Schenectady

Columbia County supportive of CAA

It is my pleasure and honor to chair the board of directors of Columbia Opportunities, Columbia County’s Community Action Agency. Since it was incorporated in 1978, COI has worked with and assisted so many in our county community: in childhood education (Head Start and Family Literacy), energy assistance (HEAP and Weatherization), emergency assistance (Community Services Program), and many other programs and partnerships.

Federal funding cuts are now causing serious financial challenges for COI, but we are heartened by the community support we are receiving.

In particular, I want to thank Didi Barrett, our representative in the state Assembly,........

© The Leader Herald