Letters to the Editor category, Page 76

As an attorney for over 40 years, I have practiced before district judges across the state. I have observed four characterisitcs that make a great district judge. They must be available. Many district judges have other employment. This greatly decreases the time they and their staff are in the office....

I have voted for Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec every election. I met her when she ran for district judge the first time. She impressed me with her ability to listen to people, empathize with their problems and help them if she could. She has always had an open-door policy, and,...

I am writing to express my support for Leslie Uncapher Zellers for district judge. I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Zellers for almost 30 years. As a practicing attorney, I know how important it is to have a magisterial district judge who is unbiased, impartial and...

I am so ashamed that this Westmoreland County commissioners race has come to such a fight as to take two worthy candidates all the way to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I am exercising my right to support my candidates in what used to be a free election. I joined John...

At every opportunity, it seems, Michael Lamb stated that he will ban fracking in Allegheny County if elected, but I still have questions. Fracking has made the corporate energy industry a big business in the U.S., but it has put us at much greater risk for negative outcomes. Evidence shows...

It is that time of year when we vote for school directors, council members and mayor. Running for reelection on the school board in the Freeport Area School District are Adam M. Toncini, Greg Selinger and Michael J. Huth, all who voted yes to raise your taxes last year. After...

I am writing in support of Cheryl Peck Yakopec being reelected as district judge. She has been my judge for over 25 years, and I believe she should stay my judge. When my poodle was attacked by a neighbor’s pitbull, I had a hearing in front of Yakopec, and she...

We have seen many opinions on the magisterial district judge race in District 05-3-03. My hope is that the public will be able to see beyond these personal perspectives and take note of the facts when voting for our next magistrate. The facts are that one does not need to...

Michael Girardi is the clear choice for magisterial district judge for District Court 05-3-03. I first encountered Girardi through a Facebook ad. I posted a long list of questions, and to my surprise, he promptly and politely responded to all of them. His answers demonstrated a strong understanding of the...

Conservative voters of Norwin, we will be counting on you again. The conservative contingent of the school board has made progress in its first term. Ridding the district of CNN10, passing anti-CRT and anti-nepotism policies were great steps. But it was just short of a bloody battle, met with huge...

The May 16 Pennsylvania primary election for municipal, school board and county officials is most important because the decisions of local elected officials have a direct impact on the quality of our everyday life. As voters, we need to elect highly qualified candidates who will best serve the public in...

Judge Carolyn Bengel does more than hand down fair justice. She is a caring and compassionate member of the communities in which she serves. Over her many years in office, I’ve observed that she has always supported community volunteers, associations and first responders. She does this out of devotion and...

We are writing to show our support for District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec in her bid for reelection. We can write this letter because we no longer are employed by the county government and can now endorse a candidate. Yakopec is an extremely fair, understanding and compassionate judge — and...

In response to the letter “Don’t vote for incumbents” (April 23, TribLIVE) — don’t believe everything you read. The letter was full of incorrect information regarding ARPA and CARES act distributions. Not including the special earmark for Excela Hospital and the restaurant industry, the Westmoreland County commissioners spent a total...

I appreciated the position statements of candidates for Franklin Regional School Board (“Candidates vie for 6 seats on Franklin Regional School Board,” May 3, TribLIVE). It is clear that residents should remove candidates Deb Bucciero and John Fallat from consideration. We do not need Buccerio’s moral arbitration, nor should we...

Many know Leslie Uncapher Zellers as an attorney who was a prosecutor in Westmoreland County and who has worked for many of us in private practice. Those who know her dedication to families and children aren’t surprised by her dedication to serving the communities. She started the Officer Brian Shaw...

I had the honor and pleasure of working with District Judge Carolyn Bengel during my tenure as ordinance enforcement officer for Harrison Township. I can unequivocally say she was solid, balanced and extremely knowledgeable. I see no valid reason to change direction after observing her serve so consistently with integrity...

I’ve known Mitchell Karaica professionally for 25 years. We both worked at Cheswick Power Station, where I watched his career progress from a laborer to a control room operator, from a union steward to senior business representative for IBEW 29. He was not only tasked with the operation of the...

Proverbs tells us that pride precedes the fall and a haughty spirit leads to destruction, but for Joe Biden, that seems to be plausibly deniable. Like the cartoon character Mr. Magoo, he leaves a path of destruction behind while he blindly fumbles through his daily duties as the most powerful...

I believe the stated goal of the LGBT community is to be accepted and respected. But it is my observation that the radicals among them manifest themselves by crude, lewd and nude parades and public “pride” demonstrations, and by the confusing and abusing of children with vulgar drag queen shows....

I understand that priority of varied road projects is challenging to satisfy the need. But after the work that has been done on Route 30 near Walmart, the understanding of the need for full project completion, taxpayer expectation and minimizing damage is lacking. The main roadway from Route 136 to...

May 16 is an important date in the Allegheny Valley and Frazer Township as we elect the next magisterial district judge. Times have changed in the past 25 years. We have tragically lost police officers to gun violence, the number of crimes has increased, and there is more traffic on...

With nine years’ experience as a Westmoreland County judge and 17 years as a successful practicing attorney, Harry Smail is certainly well qualified for Pennsylvania Superior Court. Coming from middle-class roots, his values include a deep- seated faith, personal responsibility, fair-mindedness and achievement through hard work. As an attorney and as...

I’ve had a long and unique perspective of even-handed justice at the local level. I served as a police officer for four years in Brackenridge and 22 years with the Tarentum Police Department. I may not have prevailed in every case before Judge Carolyn Bengel, but I certainly learned and...

I take a deep breath as I cross the threshold of my apartment in Pittsburgh. Another day, another air quality warning. Changing this stark reality is why I’m supporting Dennis McDermott for Allegheny County Council, District 11, in the primary election. Our home is one of America’s least breathable cities....