Opinion category, Page 293
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...
Gary Franks: Former Republican congressman regrets supporting Clarence Thomas
Last May at a conservative function held in Dallas, the Old Parkland Conference, where Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was in attendance for the weekend event, along with dozens of minority conservatives, I had an interesting experience. I got “kicked out” of the conference because I challenged the views of...
Zach Kennedy: Dems in strong position to hold Pa. Senate seat
Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. has quietly built one of the most successful political legacies in Pennsylvania history. Prior to Casey’s 2018 reelection victory, never before had a Pennsylvania Democrat won three terms to the United States Senate. As the Scranton native eyes his 2024 reelection campaign, he not...
Cal Thomas: Trump and the old razzle dazzle
“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.” — George Carlin Former president Donald Trump’s appearance at a CNN Republican Town Hall in New Hampshire stretched the truth beyond any standard by which that virtue can be measured. Trump told more lies...
Pat Browne and Jason Kavulich: Now is time to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program
For more than 50 years, Pennsylvania has held the unique distinction of being the only state in the nation where proceeds from its state lottery are directed solely to programs that benefit older adults. This partnership between the Pennsylvania Lottery and our commonwealth’s seniors has generated nearly $34 billion in...
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...
Lori Falce: Feinstein and Santos need to choose a new adventure
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., don’t have a whole lot in common. Feinstein will turn 90 next month, three months before the next-oldest member of Congress, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. She is the senior senator from California, holding her seat since 1992. Only Grassley...
Laurels & lances: Sprucing up and cleaning up
Laurel: To gussying up. Prom season is upon us, and it’s important to remember, amid the fancy gowns and limo rides, that not every family can afford the cost of what can be a pricey milestone. For some, it can top $1,000. It’s hard to get in under $100 —...
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....
Paul Kengor: RFK Jr.’s intriguing presidential bid
“I’m considering voting for RFK Jr.,” writes Henry, a reader of my columns. “He’s a very interesting alternative to both parties.” What’s intriguing about Henry is that the presidential candidacy of Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeals to him not as a Joe Biden voter but as a Donald Trump...
Colin McNickle: Allegheny County does not have Pa.’s worst air quality
Allegheny County yet again has been maligned for its allegedly dangerous air quality. But this time around, it’s not from the usual suspect, that being the American Lung Association (ALA) and years of misrepresenting local air quality. No, this time it’s the University of Wisconsin, which recently claimed that Allegheny...
Cal Thomas: Democrats and Republicans — not a dime’s worth of difference
When he ran for president a second time in 1968 on the American Independent Party ticket, Alabama Gov. George Wallace said, “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the Democrat and Republican parties.” Granted that Wallace, who had been a Democrat, was attempting to attract votes for that nascent...
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...
Editorial: Westmoreland DA’s Office needs to watch the clock on criminal cases
Do you remember the Hasbro game Perfection? It’s a bright red frame with a blue board you push down. A dial is turned, starting a timer when the switch is flipped. You get one minute to take the 25 yellow plastic shapes and fit them into their corresponding geometric spaces...
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...
Peter Morici: Cracking down on banks now only makes them sitting ducks for next big hit
The drama surrounding Silicon Valley Bank, Republic Bank, PacWest Bancorp and other regional banks is provoking tough talk about implementing tighter banking regulations. Those could do more harm than good and won’t avert another crisis. Apparently both the White House and Federal Reserve want to reimpose on mid-sized banks stricter...
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...
Editorial: More musical chairs in Pennsylvania House special elections
When Pennsylvanians go to the polls Tuesday, for two regions, it won’t be just about nominating the people who will appear on the November ballot. In two areas on the eastern side of the state, the votes will have immediate impact. The state House of Representatives is facing its fourth...
