Published: April 25, 2008 08:40 am      

READERS' FORUM 4/27 | Where are police officers we can look up to?

What’s going on with our police officers? I’m starting to think they are above the law or lack respect and consideration for the common citizen.

Aren’t police supposed to serve as role models for the rest of us? How are we supposed to maintain respect for them when they don’t maintain a positive image?

Regarding the recent charges brought against the Northern Cambria police chief: Does he think he’s above the law? It is very disturbing that the chief of police would be accused of getting behind the wheel when he was drinking. Why do police officers feel they and their family members shouldn’t be prosecuted for something so serious as this?

And why do police officers have to be so rude and callous while making a traffic stop? Last weekend we were pulled over for driving after the deadline for studded snow tires. Is it such a terrible crime that we were four days past the deadline?

We tried to explain that we were planning to have them off the next day, but the officer wouldn’t listen and slapped us with a fine. He didn’t need to be so cold and rude.

The only positive image I see of police is when I’m watching Sheriff Andy Taylor on reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show.” People looked up to Sheriff Taylor and he was a good role model for his community.

Seems like those days are gone.

Karen Weakland

Patton



Managers can’t see the madness

When people are treated as nonpersons, a negative reaction happens. Every human has infinite value and shares in God’s life.

A mother should not be forced to accept a life of work and forget her children. The father must be allowed his fatherhood.

Never should an employee be reduced to a number, as management has done.

This madness began in 1983 when John Tobin’s book “How to Fire People” hit the bookstores. Each little work fault is recorded. This forces the employee to work under the weight of eminent dismissal.

Too many hours of work eliminates any time or mental strength for the transcendent. Management is wrong and should know better. The effects are here. People quit, and those still working work with anger.

If I can see this madness (work 16 hours or be fired), why can’t these gifted people see it?

Jim Morrissey

Laurel Crest Manor, Ebensburg