Letters to the Editor category, Page 77

I am writing to help others understand what type of service our local district judge’s office provides. In Pennsylvania, the district judge’s office is the gateway to the criminal justice system. All criminal complaints, search warrants, protection from abuse orders, arrest warrants and, of course, preliminary hearings are conducted in...

If you, like me, are worried about corruption and financial mismanagement, electing people with technical competence to the county’s financial offices is critical. This is why I support Darwin Leuba for Allegheny County controller and Erica Brusselars for county treasurer. A good auditor has to be a details nerd; Leuba...

What are the qualifications required to run for county commissioner? Actually, none. It is up to the voter to decide. Here is what matters to me: life experience, work ethic and vision — a plan for Armstrong County going forward. One candidate checks all those boxes — Anthony Shea. Shea...

As the retired Murrysville constable, I was happy to hear of the retirement plans of District Magistrate Charles Conway. Conway has done a terrific job for Murrysville for over two decades and he deserves a happy retirement. Having worked out of that office for years, I have a real interest...

The voters in Magisterial District 10-01-04 have a decision to make in this year’s primary. I highly recommend Leslie Uncapher Zellers as our next district judge. Zellers has been working for our children for many years, fighting for those who have been neglected and abused and those whose parents don’t...

Another primary election season is well upon us with all the signs, ads and salesmanship from the candidate hopefuls vying for our vote in a few weeks, but there is a far more important issue at hand. Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania still tightly clings to a closed primary system...

The letter “Let`s work together to better City of Pittsburgh” (April 12, TribLIVE) claims that downtown Pittsburgh is a pleasant and nice place to walk, with many residents going to shops and restaurants. I worked downtown for 33 years and in the last few years, I have seen the city...

Not a day passes that we don’t hear of another shooting, drive-by, destruction of property and bullying perpetrated by our youth. The state of our neighborhoods is abysmal. And, in the darkness, we have a bright light, organizations like RYFO (Rams Youth Football Organization). They have been a valued part...

May is Stroke Awareness Month, and I want to take this opportunity to urge everyone to learn more about this serious health issue. Every year, strokes affect millions of people around the world, causing long-term disability, loss of independence and even death. The good news is that most strokes can...

Sen. John Fetterman has been under the microscope since early in his candidacy. Sure, go ahead and make fun of his speech and auditory difficulties and his awkwardness fitting in among a bunch of seasoned career politicians. But you can’t knock him or mock him for the courage he showed...

Calling all the moderates in the Republican Party — if there is to be any chance of saving the party, you must vote the extremists out. No more election deniers, no more ridiculous culture wars (does anyone really care if the green M&M isn’t sexy anymore?), no more assault on...

Another snake will surface at Fox Rather than Fox hosts having to come clean live on air and tell the Big-Lie-­believing faithful that they were repeatedly lied to by them, Rupert Murdoch has paid a $787 million (ouch!) settlement in the defamation case brought by Dominion. I’m reminded of that...

I met Leslie Uncapher Zellers about 25 years ago. I was in an abusive relationship for a few years. I wasn’t safe anywhere. My work, my home weren’t safe places. When we finally split up for good with the help of a PFA, I still had problems. I had to...

I am writing in response to a recent political mailer that is from the desk of current Hempfield Township supervisor and former Chairman Douglas Weimer, implying that I and many others have left their township positions as a result of current Chairman George Reese. In my 26 years as a...

“The most sacred of the duties of a government (is) to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens,” Thomas Jefferson wrote. I don’t believe this has happened in the magisterial courtroom serving Allegheny Township, Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell, Vandergrift, East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Oklahoma Borough and West Leechburg....

According to the Armstrong County election website, there are three open borough council seats on the ballot for May 16 in Leechburg, with only one candidate each on the Republican and Democratic sides. The mayor’s position is also up for election, with two Democrats as candidates. It is imperative that...

Rather than Fox hosts having to come clean live on air and tell the Big-Lie-­believing faithful that they were repeatedly lied to by them, Rupert Murdoch has paid a $787 million (ouch!) settlement in the defamation case brought by Dominion. I’m reminded of that old movie “A Face in the...

I was fortunate to clerk for a good magisterial district judge for 21 years prior to retiring in 2022. I also subbed in a court with a newly elected judge who was formerly a scientist. It was challenging because of his lack of experience and limited familiarity with the court...

The writer of the letter “We need qualified candidates in Westmoreland commissioner race” (March 28, TribLIVE) believes Patricia Fritz isn’t qualified to run for Westmoreland County commissioner. I disagree. Fritz was a supervisor for PennDOT for 23 years with responsibilities that included the smooth operation of the busy District 12-5...

As the Penn-Trafford School Board prepares to vote on the district budget in June, they are still unsure whether they can hold the line on it or if they will vote for a tax increase for the 10th year in a row. If you want your opinion to be considered,...

Time for change in the Valley! Better options cannot be overlooked when opportunity arises. Leslie Uncapher Zellers is that better option for magisterial district judge. When she served the citizens of Westmoreland County as a prosecuting attorney with the district attorney’s office, we prosecuted many cases together. I came to...

The article “Expecting more than $1B in opioid settlement money, Pa. grapples with policing versus treatment” (April 18, TribLIVE) discusses how many counties are planning on using their settlement money to hire more police officers. There is no evidence supporting that more policing decreases overdoses. We must use this settlement...

I feel I must take exception to a portion of the editorial “When is free speech not free on college campuses?” (April 25, TribLIVE). I think what you call book bans by conservatives are in reality parents trying to restrict pornographic books from their children’s school libraries. I doubt many...

Some comments on three letters published recently. “Fetterman should resign” (March 7, TribLIVE): I’m sure this letter-writer would feel different if Sen. John Fetterman was a Republican, praising him for his courage in standing up to his detractors. I think Fetterman’s main problem is the way he dresses when he’s...

In making a video to announce that he is running for president again in 2024, President Biden is really telling the American people something. Since he seems to have trouble communicating to the American people live, those around him have stooped so low as to make a video — I...