Published: March 19, 2008 01:14 pm         

READERS' FORUM 3/20 | Some people welcome alternative energy

Joseph Cominsky keeps himself busy by writing letters (“What part of ‘no’ doesn’t Gamesa understand?” March 1) telling me and others like me that he knows what’s best for our land, especially when it comes to wind turbines. He doesn’t want turbines, so we shouldn’t either.

The real difference is that many of us want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. For myself, my family and the legacy we want to leave behind, we have agreed to host wind turbines, and we look forward to the day when they’re finally erected.

The state Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement that it is seeking more information from Gamesa for its Shaffer Mountain wind farm is more proof of the incredible work that goes into siting these units, contrary to Cominsky’s notion that they are slapped up on hillsides in some haphazard manner.

Combined with the rigorous effort that we have seen Gamesa put into this project – from its water-quality studies to its wildlife and natural resource surveys, from the public hearings to household visits – we are even more confident that this project will be built soundly.

None of this is good enough for Cominsky. Could it possibly be that he just doesn’t want to look at them?

I want to help this country breathe easier by producing clean energy without all the harmful emissions and environmental waste. Cominsky just wants to keep filling us all with hot air.

Roger Irons

Windber



Hillary would be best at righting country

This is not the time for on-the-job training in this race for president. George Bush and Dick Cheney’s foreign, domestic and energy policies have created a real mess.

It’s going to take someone with the experience of Hillary Clinton to make changes and reverse the failed policies of the Bush administration.

She has been fighting for universal health care since she was first lady.

Because of her, thousands of children have health insurance.

She has traveled all over the world fighting for equal rights for women.

Let’s face facts … from George Washington to George W. Bush there has never been a woman president, and of all the men who have served as president only Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman and Bill Clinton were worth their salt. George W. Bush has been a disaster.

After 9/11, Bush had the opportunity to go down in history as a great leader. Now, he will be remembered as the president who put greed ahead of the American people. I also don’t think it’s appropriate for Bush, as commander in chief, to be seen acting like a fool on television dancing to bongo drums in Africa, and doing the two-step with John McCain outside the White House while our military is fighting a corporate war in Iraq.

Ralph A. Swank

Johnstown



Stasko, Voccio have a grasp of government

It’s refreshing to see so many candidates running for office to be our next state representatives in Harrisburg. There seems to be a broad scope of people and, in that group, we voters should be able to find good, decent representation.

While following the forums, and asking others about these individuals, it’s apparent that some are picked and endorsed by the political party machines and others are not. The emotional buzzwords this year are “growth” and “change.”

However, this can’t happen with government manipulation and mandates. We need to pick a representative, regardless of party affiliations and endorsements, who understands how government can help, and also hurt, its constituents.

Two candidates, in my opinion, stand out in this category – William D. Stasko, D-71st district, and Chris Voccio, R-72nd district. It’s apparent they both understand that government can stand in the way of progress and growth. They understand that Pennsylvania, from a business standpoint, is not a business-friendly environment. They also understand that businesses, not government, create growth and change.

On the other hand, one candidate, Bryan Barbin, D-71st district, has said that Pennsylvania is doing things right and only needs some tweaking to make things better.

Perhaps voters should “tweak” a few more status quo people from Harrisburg, and we surely don’t need more.

Voters of this area should place representatives in Harrisburg who have the courage to stand by their own convictions and not necessarily those of the party machines. We, and Pennsylvania, deserve it.

Marvin R. Gindlesperger

Davidsville



Stimulus check, kiss would be welcomed

Everything old eventually becomes new again, they say. And I guess I’ve been around long enough to know that’s usually true.

I recently was watching the movie “Braveheart,” which features actor Mel Gibson as 13th century Scotsman William Wallace, and depicts Wallace’s struggle to free his country from English oppression.

“Braveheart” is about freedom, patriotism, the misuses of power and the incompetence of leaders. It’s a great movie.

At one point in the movie, a representative of the incompetent king asks Wallace what terms he’d find acceptable to solve the country’s problems. Wallace indelicately tells the representative that he’d want the king – and I’m paraphrasing here – to stop at every household on his way out of power, to apologize for his years of incompetence and to kiss the posterior of every citizen he had offended.

The other day I received a letter from the IRS informing me of the Economic Stimulus Payment authorized by President Bush. That’s the program that’s going to send a check to every taxpaying U.S. citizen and/or household, as a means of hopefully boosting our sluggish economy.

That money is going to come in handy, and I’m looking forward to getting it. But first I have a couple of questions:

Is Bush going to stop by our houses to deliver these checks personally?

And is he going want to kiss us?

Carl Schultz

Johnstown



Obama will bring U.S. back to greatness

We support Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential nominee. His eloquent message of hope, reconciliation and change has inspired many, particularly the young, Independents, and some Republicans, to become involved in the political process this year.

His integrity and decency give promise of a move away from the old politics as usual.

He has shown a thoughtful, mature and courageous wisdom, particularly by his early position against the Iraq war – a very politically risky stand at that time. His instincts and experience indicate that he is concerned about those whose voices are not often heard – the children, the poor and the hardworking people of this great country.

He has the inner strength to listen to others and to provide the opportunity for wide participation in his decision-making process. He talks not about what he can do for us, but about all the great things we can do together.

We believe Obama’s nomination would raise the image of our country around the world. At the beginning, we feared that the country was not ready for a black president, but as we have watched Obama win over Americans of all ethnic and economic backgrounds, we can now take pride in the fact that our country is indeed ready.

For once, we will not be preaching to the world about our greatness. Instead we can demonstrate that we respect and honor the principles established by our founders.

We can show that in the United States all people are created equal and have the right to win our highest office.

Patricia B. and William V. Skidmore

Clearville, Bedford County



Looking forward to weekly column

After reading (Publisher) Robin Quillon’s first article in Sunday’s paper, all I can say is, welcome.

I am looking forward to his future columns every Sunday.

P.S. Don’t forget the surrounding areas.

Jenny Borovicka

Windber



More than enough telephone books

How many phone books do we need in a year?

Two months ago, we got a big one that I can hardly lift, let alone use.

Then recently, I opened my mail box and there was another phone book.

How often do people change addresses that we have to get another phone book?

Phone companies could save themselves some money and lower our bills. We would be happier with fewer books to put in our garbage.

Gertrude Sherbine

Windber

     

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