Sounding off: Franco, new year, cold weather, pay raises topics of interest this week

Thank you, Franco

If you spent any significant amount of time in Pittsburgh over the past several decades, you were bound to occasionally run into Franco Harris.

About 10 years ago, a small group of us were excited because there was a rare day that the Pirates and Steelers (albeit only a preseason game) both played at home on the same day. We celebrated by enjoying way too many Iron City products at the Pirates game, then hung out at the postgame party outside PNC Park while continuing to enjoy even more Iron City products prior to staggering over to Heinz Field for the Steelers game.

At one point, I see Franco walking toward us. Obviously, you don’t notacknowledge Franco when you’re in his presence, so I make eye contact and stick out my hand to shake his. As I go to speak, I am reminded of how many ounces of Iron City are in my system, as the only thing that comes out of my mouth as he firmly grabs my hand and shakes it is, “Thank you.”

Instead of just blowing off yet another obviously inebriated Yinzer, Franco stops, looks me in the eye, smiles and sincerely responds, “You’re welcome.”

I can’t imagine how many Western Pennsylvanians have a similar story about their own brief yet unforgettable interactions with the man.

Rest in Peace, Franco. And thank you.

Gary Marutiak

Lower Burrell

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Blessings in bitter weather

Last Friday, I walked down my long driveway, laden with snow and amidst the howling wind, to retrieve my Tribune-Review and the mail, because I knew both likely had been delivered and the least I could do was make the effort to get them.

Earlier that day I received a Christmas package from my brother, who had survived an earthquake in his small northern California town. The box was put on my front porch by a FedEx carrier who navigated that same driveway as well as similarly covered steps leading up to the porch.

A snow-plow truck rumbled by on its myriad trips up and down my road. My veterinarian’s office opened for other clients who needed service, knowing the clinic would be closed all weekend.

My power was working, my home inside was toasty and I was able to watch TV and cook. I am sure there are hundreds of others who “just did their jobs” that day: volunteer firemen and local and state police; hospital personnel; grocery store, pharmacy and gas station employees; church choirs, pastors and other church personnel who provided meaningful Christmas services; cable and power repair personnel; news and weather reporters and camera and equipment operators. The list is lengthy.

As one community member, without any partisan rancor, and to all of these incredible heroes and more, I want to extend my most heartfelt gratitude. Not just at this time of year, but throughout each day, how fortunate we are to share this beautiful world, even when Mother Nature throws a tantrum or two!

Linda Wagner

Hempfield

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Time to reform legislative rules

On Jan. 3, Pennsylvania state legislators will begin the new session by establishing procedural rules governing their operations. This is where, behind closed doors, a handful of majority leaders and committee chairs assume control over all state legislation. It’s where our elected reps are pressured to permit their “leaders” to decide which bills will ever make it to a vote, regardless of public or bipartisan support. It’s where Pennsylvanians lose representation by the same officials we voted for.

The cost of this power play is high. Pennsylvania legislators are the third highest paid in the nation. Their recent pay raise puts them in the six-figure bracket, and their operations budget is just short of a quarter billion dollars. And yet Pennsylvania ranks 42nd among the states in economy, 44th in infrastructure and 47th in fiscal stability (U.S. News & World Report Best States Ranking). Ninety-three percent of bills introduced in the last session were never scheduled for a final vote, and most didn’t even get a committee hearing. Bills passed in the Senate had no hearing in the House and vice versa. Committee chairs openly bragged about blocking, shelving and tabling bills.

Enough! Taxpaying Pennsylvanians need honest, ethical representation, not partisan games. I urge my representative, Abby Major, and Sen. Joe Pittman to reform these rules.

Learn more at FixHarrisburg.com. Then contact your reps and tell them, “Reform the rules!” They’re supposed to be working for us.

Jeanne Passarelli

Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County

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Wishes for the new year

As the holiday season starts to wind down, I have had a moment or two to reflect on many things. The Mrs. and I again this year were blessed to be able to stand in for the man in the red suit. The pure joy for us to share this magical season with the little ones is something that we truly enjoy. The faces and hope and joy that the children have is breathtaking. We as adults should take a lesson from them.

I wish that each of us can be a little more understanding toward each other. Family included.

I wish that more of us would take the time to donate to worthy causes. If you can’t give money, give your time — it does not cost you anything.

I wish more of us would be more patient with each other when driving. Don’t honk, wave them ahead.

I wish our political leaders would engage in real honest and meaningful debate.

I wish our political leaders would listen to each other and really work on compromise for what is best for the country and not them or their party.

And I promise I will try to do the same.

We wish you all a very happy, safe holiday season and a really joyful 2023!

Ron Giuliana

North Huntingdon

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Westmoreland’s high-paid commissioners

I doubt most Westmoreland County residents received a 13% raise in their paychecks over the past two years, like our current county commissioners (“Westmoreland elected officials to receive record raises,” Dec. 18, TribLIVE). The commissioners’ nearly-six-figure salaries are now 60% more than the county’s median per capita income.

The 20-year-old county ordinance that enabled this public heist is outdated and out of touch. It needs to be repealed and replaced, and include a cap.

For the three current commissioners to dismiss this big pay raise by claiming they “give money to charity” (everyone does), that they “haven’t really thought about it” (like his salary donation?) or simply not respond is really insulting to taxpayers.

The cost, and the commissioners’ benefit, is also exponential. They will enjoy a greater retirement payment for the rest of their lives, which also puts more strain on the county’s struggling pension fund.

It should not be lost on your readers, too, that they awarded themselves this big pay raise as they passed a budget balanced only by the federal American Rescue Plan. Westmoreland County’s financial reserves are nearly gone, even with the tax increase they began budgeting in 2020. Their pay raise only adds to the next inevitable tax increase.

Public service, again, lost to personal benefit.

Ted Kopas

Hempfield

The writer is a former Westmoreland County commissioner.

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Republicans, it’s time to pull together

Open letter to all Republican senators and Congress members:

Please get your act together! This is not the time to be bickering amongst yourselves. Debating on the speaker of the House and holding things up … . You do realize that some of your fellow Republicans are speaking with Democrats to choose a speaker who they feel is the right choice. We do not need the Democrats picking the speaker of the House!

And once you do get your act together, then please start fixing what is wrong in this country. I know that going after Hunter Biden and the Biden family, the covid origin, the Department of Justice and FBI are really big carrots at the end of your stick, but right now there are more pressing things to work on. You have to start thinking of the people of this country.

Stop the unending illegals coming across our border and all the free things many of them get that most Americans can barely afford, like health care. Stop the unending spending that has caused inflation. Get our country back to energy independence. Stop the unbelievable things that are being taught and shown to our children in schools and colleges. Bring back our country’s history, good and bad, including our statues and monuments. Bring back law and order so that we can feel safe in our own homes and neighborhoods.

Remember why you were elected and who put you there. We want answers to all those carrots at the end of the stick but we need our country back first. Remember that!

Debbie Buffer

Youngwood

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Don’t judge Robert E. Lee by 2022 standards

West Point just removed artwork of Robert E. Lee who as a cadet received no demerits. Later Lee was the commandant of West Point.

Lee was offered to be the leader in command of the entire U.S. Army in the field at the beginning of the Civil War, but Lee was a Christian and struggled with the offer to be the one who would lead U.S. troops in invading his home country, Virginia. At this time the nation was a confederacy of 33 countries banded together and called the United States. How could Lee take a federal army and invade his homeland, Virginia? His first allegiance was to the land of his birth, his home country of Virginia.

When judging Lee, be sure you understand the situation in which this man of duty chose a higher calling than to be the invader of this country. Be sure you realize that he chose to defend his homeland. Please do not judge a great American from the 1860s, by the court of opinion of 2022.

Dan Manka

Fairmont, W.Va.

The writer is a Regent Square native.