Letters to the Editor category, Page 142
Letter to the editor: Reelect Kertes and Chew, proven county leaders
I received a mailer from a Republican challenger to Westmoreland County Commissioners Sean Kertes and Doug Chew, which stated if elected, he’d downsize from three commissioners to one and that he’d distribute the remaining covid Relief Funds to the people. I don’t think he has a clue. The county code...
Letter to the editor: Kopas, Hovis best choices for commissioner
As the May primary election nears, Westmoreland County residents need to pay attention to the commissioners race. County commissioners make decisions that impact our day-to-day lives. I am alarmed at proposals made by a Republican candidate running as a challenger to incumbents Doug Chew and Sean Kertes. In a campaign...
Letter to the editor: Keep Yakopec as judge
I support our current magisterial district judge, Cheryl Peck Yakopec, because of her experience. Yakopec worked with the Burrell School District to develop a plan to solve issues like truancy, handling them at the school instead of the courtroom . Parents, administrators and Yakopec worked together so that, instead of...
Letter to the editor: Buccerio for Franklin Regional board
After reading the hateful characterizations made in the letter ”Don’t vote for radical Franklin Regional board candidates” (May 9, TribLIVE), I rushed to my computer to respond to his judgmental remarks regarding an outstanding candidate for Franklin Regional School Board, Deb Buccerio. I would be proud to have Buccerio representing...
Letter to the editor: Weinstein for county executive
I’m voting for John Weinstein for Allegheny County executive on May 16. Weinstein gets it. Under law, the assessment office is run by the executive as chief assessor. Is the assessment office prepared to reassess 585,000 parcels? Nope. Although I favor cyclical reassessment, Allegheny County government keeps moving the goal...
Letter to the editor: Keep Chew as commissioner
I appreciate all that Commissioner Doug Chew is doing for the overall well-being of people in Westmoreland County. I shout his praises any time his name is mentioned. In my 20-plus years working in the mental health field, he has been more present and involved than any other elected official....
Letter to the editor: Yakopec more than just a great judge
I am writing to support Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec because she is a public servant who gives back to the community. She is an excellent judge, but it is all the other things that she does that make her irreplaceable. She has students do community service at the American Legion...
Letter to the editor: Vote Zellers for new leadership
I am writing in support of Leslie Uncapher Zellers for district judge. The incumbent judge in District 10-1-04 is touting her 28-plus years in office as the reason we should vote for her. After nearly three decades in office from this career politician, it is time to give this office...
Letter to the editor: Keep Bengel as district judge
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....
Letter to the editor: We know Yakopec and she knows us
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,...
Letter to the editor: Community needs Zellers as judge
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...
Letter to the editor: Ashamed of county GOP ‘machine’
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...
Letter to the editor: Vote Innamorato to end fracking
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...
Letter to the editor: Make yourself heard in Freeport
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...
Letter to the editor: Yakopec should stay as judge
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...
Letter to the editor: Karaica has character needed to be judge
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...
Letter to the editor: Girardi best choice for judge
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...
Letter to the editor: An appeal to conservative voters in Norwin
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...
Letter to the editor: Fabian for commissioner
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...
Letter to the editor: Bengel caring, compassionate
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...
Letter to the editor: We’re fortunate to have Yakopec as judge
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...
Letter to the editor: Kertes, Chew should remain in office
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...
Letter to the editor: Don’t vote for radical Franklin Regional board candidates
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...
Letter to the editor: Zellers experienced, dedicated
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...
Letter to the editor: Keep Bengel as district judge
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...
