Letters to the Editor category, Page 317

Here we go again, another proposed tax increase in Buffalo Township (“Freeport Area looking at tax hikes for proposed $33.5M budget,” May 2, TribLIVE). The Freeport Area School Board must have had dreams on how to spend more money again. Buffalo gets an average increase of $80, while residents of...

In response to the letter “SummerSounds doesn’t need Russian band” (May 10, TribLIVE) about Leonid and Friends performing at St. Clair Park in June: For 20 years Gene James and company have strived to bring the finest entertainment to Greensburg for the enjoyment of all. My husband and I have...

I am not usually an apologist for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but you have unfairly found fault with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for zapping commuters whose entrances to the turnpike were missed by the electronic detectors (“E-ZPass penalty charges irk Pennsylvania Turnpike drivers,” May 3, TribLIVE). When the system was established,...

The following was sent to Gov. Tom Wolf: Dear Sir, As our Pennsylvania state governor, please consider the following laws that would benefit the voting citizens of Pennsylvania: 1. Voting citizens 65 years of age and older can vote via mail if they choose without having a medical problem or...

In response to Georgia’s “heartbeat” bill, pro-abortion activist and occasional actress Alyssa Milano has exhorted her social media followers to engage in a #sexstrike. “Our reproductive rights,” says she, “are being erased. Until women have legal control over their bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy.” Apparently, abstinence is the sole...

Letter-writer Megan Reck claims claims her family moved to Plum with the hope that her kids would be able to attend quality schools (“Changes needed on Plum school board,” May 14, TribLIVE). Well, at least partially due to Steve Schlauch and Sue Caldwell’s leadership on the Plum School Board, we...

Though not intentional, our trips to Ireland and the United Kingdom bookended the Brexit dilemma. We visited Ireland June 23, 2016 when the U.K. voted to leave the EU and ironically were in London March 29 when that exit was to occur. It didn’t, and so the debate continues, and...

The NRA called yesterday. It was my choice not to answer the phone; however, yesterday was different. I was listening to the news regarding the Colorado school shooting and firsthand accounts from students. I opted to answer the phone knowing it was the NRA. I asked how could they call...

Many readers, politicians and media types do not understand that freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences. Yes, we live in a country with many freedoms and the right to exercise those freedoms. But there are consequences, both good and bad, for exercising those freedoms. Colin Kaepernick exercised...

I had the privilege and thrill of attending a “Carol Burnett Show” reunion show taping in Hollywood in August 2001. The whole cast was assembled, including the beloved Tim Conway, one of the great comedians of our day. My wife and I managed to be seated in the front row....

Stamp Out Hunger Westmoreland County Food Bank appreciates all the hard work by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) during the 27th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive held May 11 across the nation. We recognize that it is not easy for them to deliver mail and collect food...

“Heartbeat ban” is an attempt to outlaw abortion. At least 15 states to date are trying to enact laws that ban abortion as early as six weeks of gestation or when a heartbeat can be heard. Most women don’t even know they are pregnant six weeks into a pregnancy. My...

If you received an envelope in your mailbox this month with “2019 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTER GUIDE — URGENT OPEN” in place of the return address — beware! This mailing from “Conservative Friends” is misleading voters into thinking it came from the Murrysville Export Republican Committee. The committee is not endorsing...

Still stunned by outrageous property assessment challenges by the Hempfield Area School Board targeting individual homeowners, I thought that there is no better time to revisit the topic than now. Hempfield homeowners were set upon by bounty hunters (actually attorneys, but why argue semantics?) hired by a majority of the...

I have a novel idea. Instead of donating to a politician, why don’t we donate that money to a charity? This way the politicians will be able to do their jobs instead of prostituting themselves for campaign donations. If we donate to charities, maybe cancer could be cured or the...

I suppose I should be encouraged that the county would be so concerned with the quality of my well that they will spend $250,000 in federal money to establish a “baseline” for private wells throughout the county (“Westmoreland County could be region’s first to get water wells tested by feds,”...

The Boy Scout Oath and Law have been lived by over 2 million young people who have become Eagle Scouts since the founding of the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. Doug Weimer, running for Hempfield Township supervisor, became an Eagle Scout and continues to live by the principles of...

As a licensed title agent and the Westmoreland County treasurer, I am casting my vote for Jon Wian for Westmoreland County recorder of deeds. Wian’s long list of credentials gives voters the opportunity to have someone with industry knowledge leading one of the most used offices in the county. Wian...

So stunned, I have to ask: Is LIFEPAC, the single-issue, pro-life group, politicized? Since 1980, LIFEPAC’S mission has been to “identify and support all pro-life candidates.” The process of “identifying” included the candidate filling out a questionnaire. Then, LIFEPAC would create a blue-and-white flier and deliver a thousand to churches...

With the May primary election just around the corner, there is one candidate who stands out as the clear choice for Westmoreland County recorder of deeds: Jon Wian. While serving as deputy treasurer, Wian has demonstrated the leadership skills, work ethic and dedication needed to successfully run a county row...

President Trump is, and has been, pulling out every stop to hide information about himself, his tax records, bank and business dealings, etc. He calls it harassment and a coup attempt to be asked about such things. Well, the coup may have already taken place in 2016. Who can trust...

There are so many corrupt politicians that it impossible to identify the good guys. The same goes for the Department of Justice and the FBI. Why do Americans stand for this? John W. Newhouse Shaler...

I moved to Plum several years ago with the hopes of sending my kids to quality schools. My son just started kindergarten this year, and I fear for his future if we don’t see changes on the school board. First, I find it hard to understand how a board can...

Anticipating Election Day, May 21, I am forced to face two of my greatest disappointments: citizens who don’t take the time to vote, and the Republican Party’s promotion of voter suppression. The right to vote is the bedrock principle of our democracy. For someone to casually forego this opportunity is...

Doug Weimer and Tom Logan have done a great job as our Hempfield Township supervisors and we need to keep them in. This year more than ever it’s important to look at the candidates and see what they have done, not what they are saying they will do. These two...