Letters to the Editor category, Page 137
Letter to the editor: Ramifications of DEP name change
Our state senator, Kim Ward, announced on June 10 that the Senate had passed Senate Bill 691 to rename the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Environmental Services. Sounds innocuous, and they basically say it’s just a name. However, there may be sinister plans with the department...
Letter to the editor: Robert F. Kennedy’s voice disorder
The writer of the letter “Biden and Kennedy are the best Democrats have?” (June 7, TribLIVE) comments that “this guy” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, has a “terrible speaking voice.” The fact is that Kennedy suffers from a rare voice disorder, spasmodic dysphonia,...
Letter to the editor: Inflation information
John Tamny was wrong on a couple things in his op-ed “There’s no such thing as ‘government stimulus’ ” (June 10, TribLIVE). Inflation (increasing the money supply) does lead to more investment but it goes into many things that would not be successful in the absence of inflation. When the...
Letter to the editor: Where’s defense of Trump?
When the details of the 37-count indictment against former President Trump were unsealed last week, I eagerly awaited the response from both Trump supporters and non-supporters. I watched several different Fox News and CNN shows to hear what the “experts” had to say. I expected the approach of the two...
Letter to the editor: We need tax reform, not new housing
The main interview in the article “Senior housing project in Irwin draws large response from prospective tenants” (May 17, TribLIVE) was from a woman from Wilkinsburg (Allegheny County), not Westmoreland County. All of the hoopla over this housing project seems to come down to someone from out of the county...
Letter to the editor: Lauding New Kensington council members, reporter
I chose at the last minute to go down to the recent New Kensington Council meeting. I’m always more impressed by Tony Males than anyone else. Now, my second favorite is Tim Dimaio. I really think this term for him is going to define the nuts and bolts of what...
Letter to the editor: Madden’s PGA take disgusting
I am almost speechless after reading Mark Madden’s column “Money always wins, and the PGA did what was best for golf” (June 7, TribLIVE). I say almost speechless, because my anger and indignation are more overwhelming right now. Madden’s disgusting show of avarice and lack of any moral or ethical...
Letter to the editor: Westmoreland unprepared for hazardous incidents
At a recent meeting addressing concerns about a possible train derailment in Westmoreland County, Chris Tantlinger, Westmoreland County deputy emergency management coordinator, assured residents of an adequate response. Actually, Westmoreland County does not have equipment to provide comprehensive monitoring during incidents that contaminate air. In 2017, Westmoreland Marcellus Citizens’ Group...
Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh Mills roads are dangerous
Will somebody tell me who is responsible for the roads at the Pittsburgh Mills mall? I don’t think there is 100 feet of road in that complex that is free from potholes and patch jobs. When traveling the roads trying to get to stores to shop and spend money, all...
Letter to the editor: Action, or inaction, will determine country’s future
Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany, penned these words: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then...
Letter to the editor: Good financial stewards in Norwin
Thank you, Norwin School Board. We do have those who are good fiscal stewards of our money at Norwin, but it is not the district administration. Through job reduction via attrition and something called “unassigned fund balance,” the budget was balanced with no tax increase. At a recent meeting, school...
Letter to the editor: Focus on candidates’ skills, not physical traits
The writer of the letter “Biden and Kennedy are the best Democrats have?” (June 7, TribLIVE) is critical of the Democratic Party for considering Robert Kennedy Jr. to be its candidate to be our next president because, in his words, Kennedy “has a terrible speaking voice.” I’d encourage him not...
Letter to the editor: Communication, legislation can help gun violence crisis
Better communication and transparency can help alleviate our country’s gun violence crisis, especially actions by local municipalities that bridge the gap between police and citizens. Police officers should know the people they are policing in their communities in a positive way to make people feel safer. In addition, several passed...
Letter to the editor: Honoring those who protected our democracy
There were many emotional Memorial Day celebrations across the country on May 31. Close to home at Westmoreland County Memorial Park was a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed. The organizers did a beautiful presentation of reading veterans’ names and a 21-gun salute. These programs made me think of...
Letter to the editor: Juror who caused mistrial should pay
According to the article “Mistrial declared as jury weighs assault, strangulation charges against Greensburg man” (June 7, TribLIVE), Judge Christopher Feliciani declared a mistrial in a criminal case after jurors were prepped to deliberate when “it was discovered that a juror had communicated with another about the case via Facebook.”...
Letter to the editor: Mental health days help students succeed
As a recent high school graduate, I can wholeheartedly say that our schools need more mental health support. Across Western Pennsylvania, the recommended ratios of guidance counselors to students are not being met, workloads are increasing and students are suffering. If “mental health day” legislation was passed in Pennsylvania, students...
Letter to the editor: Parable of the Good Samaritan for 2023
There was a cable news anchor who obtained an exclusive interview with Jesus Christ. Wanting to boost his station’s ratings, he asked Jesus, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength,...
Letter to the editor: If Trump wins GOP nomination …
If President Trump would win the GOP nod for the election and lose, what would the Trumpers do? See insurrection, payoffs, etc. Would he be able to serve from behind bars? See jail sentences for his puppets. Maybe destroy the Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial? He lost. Face it Kirk...
Sounding off: U.S. debt, lying politicians, kids’ future, ‘gender insanity,’ ‘getting tough’ among week’s topics
We’ll go to war or go broke The U.S. has the largest debt burden of all the countries in the world, over $31 trillion and growing. We have the largest military budget in the world. The U.S. spends more than the next 10 countries combined on its military. We have...
Letter to the editor: Hempfield tax hike
Regarding the article “Tax increase included in draft Hempfield Area budget” (May 22, TribLIVE): No one would argue against better curriculum or more police officers for the district. But can someone please explain to me how a $30 million increase in the construction costs is not the reason for a...
Letter to the editor: Politicians should study financial literacy, too
I read the article “Show me the money: Teachers, education experts advocate for financial literacy” (May 21, TribLIVE). We should make it mandatory for all politicians to take a financial literacy course and be tested afterward. If you talk to a financial adviser, the first thing he or she will...
Letter to the editor: Verona farmers market open for business
Our Verona farmers market, from 2-7 p.m. every Thursday at 736 E. Railroad Ave., has been around since the early 2000s. It was started by our current mayor, Dave Ricupero, and is currently run by the Verona Chamber of Commerce. This season, we have an abundance of vendors selling everything...
Letter to the editor: Rain would have helped with smokestack dust
After reading about the discomfort caused by the dust when the Springdale smokestack was imploded (“Amid dusty cleanup, Springdale residents remain unsettled in the wake of smokestack implosions,” June 2, TribLIVE), I have what might be a simplistic solution: wait till it rains. Now, it might take some planning and...
Letter to the editor: Look past politicians’ spin
Q: How can you tell when politicians are lying? A: Their lips are moving. Rep. Summer Lee and Sen. John Fetterman’s statements justifying their votes against the debt deal lend credence to this truism. Lee said work requirements for able-bodied food-aid recipients 54 and under with no dependents (up from...
Letter to the editor: Thanks to caring community for letting teen be all he can be
As the Class of 2023 celebrates graduation, the Gratzmiller family would like to extend their appreciation to the residents of the Alle-Kiski community. To everyone who has allowed Andrew to be Andrew, we say thank you. When Andrew was diagnosed with autism, we were not sure what life would look...
