New Yorkers will be hard-pressed to heat their homes this winter due to the high price of home heating fuel and other energy sources.

That is why the Energy Committee of the state Assembly is conducting a series of press events — to focus attention on the problem and give citizens a chance to ask questions and voice their concerns.

On Monday, the committee held conferences in Albany and Syracuse. The events are also scheduled for Niagara Falls, Rochester, Yonkers, Central Islip and Kingston.

But nothing is slated for Northern New York. Why would the Assembly not include the part of the state where winters are the most severe and challenging?

When asked why the north country was not included, Assemblyman Kevin A. Cahill, D-Ulster and Dutchess counties, said: "We're hitting as many media markets as possible. We will try to fit the north country in."

Try to fit us in? That would be good, but it seems like Northern New York is an afterthought. That is happening more frequently these days.

After all, we lack representation in the 118th Assembly District — a seat that has been vacant since Darrel J. Aubertine was elected to the state Senate in February.

The state, preoccupied by a gubernatorial transition and other changes, failed to allow a special election for Mr. Aubertine's former post. Thus, voters have been unrepresented in the 118th Assembly District, the so-called "River District" that includes towns in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties that border the St. Lawrence River.

These voters have had no one to speak for them in the Assembly during negotiations for the 2008-09 budget and the deciding of other questions. Their interests and concerns have been ignored.

The slight from the Assembly Energy Committee is just more of the same indifference from Albany toward Northern New York. If state government officials are holding meetings throughout the state, they should include the north country.

We can tell you something about winter.