The initial outbreak of swine flu last month saw the closing of several schools across the state when students showed symptoms. With the death of an assistant principal last week in Queens, there has been criticism that more schools are not being closed, where the H1N1 virus reappeared. One might ask why fewer schools are closing as quickly now, with the virus' reappearance, as when it originally reared its head? State Educational Commissioner Richard Mills said that even with the outbreak, schools would still be required to have their students complete the 180 days of instruction as required by law.

While it was surely not conscious, could there be a subliminal response by districts that might, with winter closings causing them to run up to that 180 day threshold, be siding with caution may not be the priority, as is not upsetting the scheduled end of the year for districts?

Duck soup

The state Department of Environmental Conservation may have every right and responsibility to take into custody nine ducklings (one can almost imagine them, as one friend wrote, led off in little handcuffs) after their mother disappeared at Hoopes Park.

What may seem odd is the fast action that the DEC showed in this case #- especially when the DEC has a sour record when it comes to protecting humans in this region.

From their failure to keep government run and privately operated landfills to the same construction standards (initially more expensive double lined liners for public landfills) to their failure to address, in a timely fashion, the discharge of high levels of phosphorus into the Owasco Lake watershed, one can only but wonder about the state's priorities.

Big time

Maybe it was the combination of a great cause, a variety of acts and terrific weather on Sunday, but Majorpalooza was a bigger-than-expected hit.

According to organizer Chris Major, nearly double the number of people attended this year's event as in the past, which raised money for several charitable efforts.

The event raised more than $7,500 this year, nearly double what was raised last year and at least $2,000 more than organizers hoped to raise this year.

The date for next year's Majorpalooza has been set for May 30.

With the event seemingly exponentially expanding every year, it is likely that a new site will need to be found sooner than later.

Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com