Letters to the Editor category, Page 133
Letter to the editor: Honor Cowan when renaming Mount Odin roads
I agree with Greensburg City Council about providing names to the roads in Mount Odin for the purpose of responding to emergencies (“Greensburg eyes contract for repaving streets,” May 2, TribLIVE). I do hope, though, they take into consideration Frank Cowan’s love of Norse mythology. I was raised near Mount...
John Opdycke and David Thornburgh: Time for open primaries in Pa.
One of us, John Opdycke, founded the national advocacy group Open Primaries in 2009: “Back then it was like opening an institute for UFO research. People thought I was wasting my time on an irrelevant and illegitimate reform issue. I wasn’t a very sought after dinner guest.” Times have certainly...
Letter to the editor: We don’t need more laws, just to behave and lead by example
It is disturbing to hear the news of the day — gun violence, attacks on individuals, robberies, etc. And it usually ends up with the conclusion that there should be a law. We have so many laws that I don’t believe there is anyone who knows all the laws. Whether...
Letter to the editor: Biden a traitor?
We are used to politicians lying to us from the time they swear to abide by their Oath of Office and beyond. President Biden swore to enforce the laws of our land and protect us from enemies domestic and foreign. A large disservice of Biden is his ignoring our immigration...
Letter to the editor: Reflecting on Pittsburgh sports’ corporate welfare
As I sat in construction traffic recently, I was reminded of a statement I heard in 2001 when Heinz Field and PNC Park were built: “Can you imagine how nice our region would be if the hundreds of millions spent on the stadiums was spent on infrastructure?” At the time,...
Letter to the editor: We must be a climate leader
I believe the Trib is doing a disservice to its readers when it publishes articles promoting the natural gas industry. We know all too well the devastation the industry causes to our health and environment. Yes, natural gas produces about half the carbon dioxide emissions than coal power when burned,...
Letter to the editor: Why are the extremists ruling America?
It’s amazing how the extremes of the two major parties are ruling the day in America and have been for quite some time. There is perhaps 1% of kooks on each end of the spectrum, yet they have a large portion of the other 98% rushing to take one side...
Letter to the editor: Cross-filing doesn’t matter — vote for the person
I enjoy the Tribune-Review. It is a very focused hometown newspaper. Sometimes, however, when it publishes an article that affects the entire state, it really goes overboard in trying to be a big metropolitan newspaper. The article that provided that impression was “Party affiliation can be misleading in some local...
Letter to the editor: Ending gun violence
“The boogeyman is at my door, he’s turning around in my driveway, he’s trying to get into my car, he’s rolling a ball into my yard.” Illogical, impulsive fear, coupled with the plethora of easily accessible guns, has led to multiple incidents of high-profile gun violence recently. Is this the...
Letter to the editor: Guardianship issues in Pa.
Regarding the editorial “Revamp laws for legal guardians” (April 24, TribLIVE): Much as the desperately flawed and often harmful Pennsylvania guardianship system itself, Senate Bill 506, while presumably well-intended, falls short of its purported goal of protecting our precious elderly and disabled populations. I’m glad to learn it is not...
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...
