Published: July 03, 2009 10:33 am      

READERS' FORUM 7-5 | Keep flame burning eternally, not just when visitors are in city

I couldn’t help noticing during the recent Pennsylvania Downtown Center Conference hosted by the city that the “occasional flame” at the Point was burning.

We lit it again during Thunder in the Valley. It looked nice.

As far as I know, these were the first times the “occasional flame” has been lit since a Thunder in the Valley weekend five or six years ago. During that weekend, the flame was turned up so high that the torch could be clearly seen from Richland. From nearby, it looked as if NASA was launching a Saturn V moon rocket upside down. The bikers were really impressed.

Every so often for the past 20 years, we as a community have renewed our interest in turning the “occasional flame” back into the eternal flame it was originally intended to be. So far, nothing has worked, although we sure seem to have the problem licked over at the War Memorial.

You’d think that with all the high-tech industries located here, and all the fat government contracts we’re reading about, somebody at one of the big defense contractors in Richland would in his or her spare time come up with a way to keep the occasional flame burning … well, eternally.

It just seems sort of dishonest, lighting an eternal flame only when we’re entertaining out-of-town guests. It’s like we’re saying, “Come on and invest in our community. We have a great location, and we’re really nice folks … we just don’t know boo about keeping a fire lit.”

Carl Schultz

Johnstown



Bullying required changing schools

As another school year was ending, I was wondering how many families had experiences similar to ours.

A chain of events that started in early December turned our child’s world upside down. She was a victim of bullying at a school that claims to have a wonderful anti-bullying policy.

At first, we were angry with the students who were doing the bullying. After several meetings with administrators, where we were told untruths and misled, our anger turned to them. They found it much easier, apparently, to protect the rights of the perpetrators, instead of the victim.

One request we made was to have her schedule changed to get away from the bullies, but we were told that would violate their educational rights. The last meeting took place with the superintendent, and an administrator told the superintendent that they were going to change my child’s schedule to help her return to school.

That was the last falsehood we were going to take and we pulled her out of that school and she transferred to Bishop McCort.

The folks at McCort went above and beyond the “call of duty” to make our daughter feel welcome, to provide her with help getting caught up in classes, and to include her in the student body.

She ended the school year doing well in all of her classes. I can’t say enough good things about the McCort staff.

To her old school, I say “thanks” facetiously for not protecting my child’s rights. In another way, I can truly say “thanks” because I do believe she will get a better education now.

It really irks me to have to pay taxes to a school that would not protect my child, especially taxes that go up every year.

Noel Graham

Johnstown



Murtha criticized on Waxman bill, responds

The June 29 Tribune-Democrat article, “Power price jolt,” was in regard to almost-certain escalation of electricity costs once the industry is deregulated in 2010.

I have to ask why our congressman, Jack Murtha, endorsed House Resolution 2454, the Waxman-Markey Bill, which will only compound the rising cost of not only electricity, but all energy.

At a time when Murtha should be advocating our area’s abundant coal reserves through clean-coal technology initiatives, he supported legislation that may ultimately destroy the coal industry as we know it, or drive costs related to it into the stratosphere.

The Waxman-Markey Bill is ominous legislation at best. It is far-reaching and will attach itself to every facet of our society through a myriad of hidden taxes and regulations.

Waxman-Markey is based partly on the premise of the inconclusive evidence supporting global warming.

As of June 29, the EPA’s own senior scientist, Alan Carlin, is on record debunking the flawed science and showed global temperatures are actually cooling.

This would all be bad enough except for the fact that few, if any, members of Congress actually read the 1,000 pages comprising this bill, let alone the 300 pages of amendments added during the early hours of June 27.

Carol Browner, who is the White House Coordinator of Energy and Climate, is on record stating she read “vast portions,” but not the entire bill.

Jack, what were you thinking?

J.L. Martincic

Mineral Point

Editor’s note: We asked the congressman’s office for a response, which follows.



Bill’s compromises worthy of support

America’s continued dependence on foreign energy threatens both our national security and increases our energy costs.

During the past eight years, the average American household saw its energy costs rise by $1,100.

We have a choice to make. Either we can continue to stand idly by, ignoring our energy and environmental needs, or we can make America more energy independent, create millions of new jobs, and protect people from higher energy costs in the future.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act is a market-based solution that will make America the world leader in new clean energy technologies. Modeled after the 1990 Clean Air Act, which reduced electricity rates by 10 percent and created millions of new jobs, this legislation will promote clean-coal and renewable/efficient energy.

I did not support the original draft of this legislation. Legitimate compromises were made, and additional provisions were included to protect consumers and the coal industry.

I have worked for years to promote coal as an affordable and reliable energy source. Working with the United Mine Workers, I introduced legislation to advance the development of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology, which promotes clean-coal and strengthens our coal industry.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act provides $1 billion annually for the development of CCS technologies and creates a $75 billion-$100 billion fund to deploy these technologies.

I believe America’s future is better served by a cleaner environment and less dependency on foreign energy. This legislation accomplishes both.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha

12th Congressional District



More facts about trail entrance

This response is to the June 19 letter, “Facts about proposed (Ghost Town) trail entrance,” by Ronald Mervine Jr.

The writer is certainly entitled to his opinion, but the “facts” are not accurate.

Fact: David Pearson (June 10 front-page article) never said that his land was taken (it was not). His concerns were losing privacy and the words “eminent domain” being mentioned in regard to needed land.

Fact: The ATV issue is moot in regard to concerns currently being addressed. Pearson hasn’t owned an ATV for several years.

Fact: Mary Miller and Tina Illig are not residents of Mylo Park, but are Cambria Township taxpayers and representing the interests of their mother.

Fact: The petition circulated in favor of the proposed trail entrance didn’t have one signature from a homeowner on Myers Street.

Fact: Several people who signed the petition against a trailhead weren’t from Mylo. They are, however, all residents of Cambria Township and over the age of 18. Many would like to see an entrance closer to their homes. We in Mylo have the benefit of two trailheads less than a mile away.

Fact: The proposed entrances that were discussed are trailheads. Per Joe Onufro, EADS, township engineer, these would require a 33-foot-wide road with parking for several vehicles. Concerned residents suggested a bike/walking entrance for local residents. We were told this could be a possibility, but no future information has been received.

Many who would be directly affected have several concerns, the least being increased traffic on an already-busy street.

Colleen Spicher

Ebensburg



Thunder in the Valley best in the Northeast

This was my second straight year working the Can-am Spyder demo rides in the train station area during Thunder in the Valley. I have been to many events in the northeastern part of America. Thunder in the Valley is by far the best.

I must compliment the organization and the citizens of Cambria County. The folks who worked in security near us made our days’ work go so smooth helping us get in and out through so much traffic; it was a breeze.

The police were present but they were not taking the fun away from the attendees. I give a big salute to all the police officers who worked in and around the city of Johnstown.

Finally, what impressed me the most was the number of non-motorcycle families mingling during all of the special shows throughout the downtown. This is the only motorcycle rally that I know of where everyone mixes together and enjoys the shows.

Cheers to Johnstown.

Norm Robinson

Remsen, N.Y.