Published: July 09, 2009 02:16 pm      

READERS' FORUM 7-10 | Blessings upon new church, its priest

Many thanks to the priests of the Cambria City churches for a beautiful, recent Corpus Christi. Thanks to the Rev. Anthony Spilka, the Rev. Francis Balastino, the Rev. Nicholas Swiatek, the Rev. Andrew Stanko and Monsignor Raymond Balta.

We proceeded from Immaculate Conception church to St. Columba, where we recited the divine mercy chaplet. It was sung by Cecila Neider, who did an excellent job. There also were a few members of the Immaculate Conception church choir who sang as we proceeded. It was a beautiful ending to the procession.

I am not a parishioner of the Cambria City churches, but I could not help feeling a little sad visiting each church. What memories these people must have of the priests who served them, the choirs, communions, confirmations, weddings and funerals. These memories will never fade.

I hope that the people working to preserve these majestic buildings will be successful.

Lets all pray for the priest (the Rev. Alan E. Thomas) and the new Resurrection Roman Catholic Church. This is our Lord’s church, and nothing will prevail against it.

Please remember the saying, “Jesus, I trust in you.” May God bless all who enter the new church.

I would also like to add that the farewell concert presented by the choir of Immaculate Conception on June 27 was fantastic.

The choir sang to a standing-room-only crowd. The choir really made you feel the presence of our Lord in his house. Thank you, Michael Filo (director), and the angels in your choir.

Joseph T. Torchia Sr.

Johnstown



Finally, a law to govern contractors

Recently Pennsylvania enacted a law governing home-remodeling contractors.

I fought hard for this. I e-mailed all state senators and most congressmen. It’s the least they can do to protect you, as a consumer. The law requires that anyone doing remodeling work estimated at more than $500 have a state-issued contractor’s license. This is a step in the right direction.

Also, before you enter into a contract with any contractor, regardless of the cost and size of the job, make sure the contractor has general liability insurance, which releases you, the homeowner, from any claims by neighbors, utilities, etc.

Make sure your contractor has his or her insurance carrier issue you a release certificate of any damages and/or responsibilities.

Workers’ compensation claims, if the contractor is not covered, are the homeowner’s responsibility. Make sure the contractor issues you signed and notarized release forms regarding labor and materials. Also, make sure all subcontractors provide these release forms before any payments are made.

Have the contractor issue you a progress schedule accompanied by a completion bond. If the contractor does not perform because of his skills, or lack thereof, the bonding company will be liable to complete the job.

Contractors may have been in business for years and had no problems, so do not be the first to be taken. Today’s economy does not ensure they will be around, and litigation takes time, especially when the outside is exposed to the inside of your home.

Ed McGarvey

Hooversville



Colorful character ruled Point in 1950s

Somewhere in the annals of the Point Stadium, a eulogy to “Bull” Gallo should be given. This article may suffice.

During the mid- to late 1950s, Gallo was a fixture at AAABA games played at the Point Stadium.

After the seventh-inning stretch, the groundskeeper would open the main gate and allow free admittance to the public.

More often than not, Bull would appear at that time. A burly, hulk of a man carrying two canvas bags crisscrossed on his shoulders (a newspaper salesman by profession), he would announce his arrival with his infamous call: “Wha-aa, woo-woo.”

Almost immediately, a deafening reply by youngsters on Westmont’s hillside (igniting a cherry bomb or a M-80 firecracker) would sound throughout the valley.

The 8,000 or more fans in the stadium would then applaud in approval.

Humanity had spoken. All was well with the world, so on with the baseball game.

Bull, to me, was classified somewhere between E.L. Thayer’s “Casey at the Bat” and the 1940s comic strip character “Ozark Ike.” Both were the epitome of baseball.

Thanks, Bull, for making life a little more interesting and bringing your colorful character into our lives.

Richard Lepter

Johnstown



Making same mistake seven years in a row

The governor and both chambers of our state Legislature should be impeached.

When you make the same mistakes seven years in a row, you haven’t the knowledge or ability to hold or perform the job for which you were elected – to your everlasting shame.

Spending time and money to blame someone else is doubly criminal.

It is time for the voters, not the do-nothings in Harrisburg, to create one state House with just one elected official from each county.

You cannot have seven bosses standing around doing nothing while one man with a shovel does enough work to support the eight of them.

While we are at it, let us put a limit on how many aids or helpers each can have – whatever name they use.

Joseph Dremely

Conemaugh