Published: October 26, 2009 03:27 pm      

READERS' FORUM | Township needs a rep from each area

Dave Hoover, as an elected official of Cambria Township, has represented the residents of the township, particularly those in the higher tax-based areas, equitably for many years. The residents of those areas (Crestwood Estates, Mylo Park, Sylvan Glen, Mountain Estates, Winterset and Emerald Estates) need to consider Hoover’s commitment to their neighborhood when they vote on Nov. 3.

Hoover has also been heavily involved in the development of the Route 22 business corridor, which has brought jobs and tax revenue to Cambria Township.

Why should we be represented by another supervisor from Colver? We do not need two Cambria Township supervisors from Colver. Re-elect Dave Hoover for Cambria Township supervisor.

Robert Dixon

Cambria Township



For students’ sake, move forward on plan

I am amazed by the amount of money spent on advertising by people who are afraid they will lose their homes if they have to pay $35 more a year. What is the primary agenda of Save Our Homes Inc.?

Obviously not to advance the education of children in the Central Cambria School District.

No, a building doesn’t teach a child.

How is a child to learn when the building around them is falling apart? Our current board is working to fix this problem.

This has not been a quick decision, and I applaud them for the work they have done. I have not always agreed with the board, but I have decided that adding on to one building made more economic sense. If the board decided to keep the sixth graders in the elementary school and put the seventh and eighth graders in the high school, three buildings would need to be renovated. According to the feasibility study, this would cost approximately $10 million more than the current plan.

It frightens me that people who have no vested interest in children or their schools would consider running for school board.

Have these people even attended a meeting to hear the facts or are they listening to the misinformation of others?

Perhaps the money spent on false information could be put to better use, funding the plan that won the vote. Let’s move forward with this project and help save our future. Vote for the informed candidates – Marcia Shaheen in Jackson Township and write-in candidate Eric Rummel in Ebensburg.

Gayle Devlin

Jackson Township



Too many questions about city candidates

As election day approaches, we need to consider what the candidates stand for. I wonder how many readers and voters know that Johnstown City Council candidate Pete Vizza was a Republican and changed to the Democratic party?

What was the strategic purpose of this change? Is it because he knew he couldn’t win as a Republican? Did he leave his Republican values with the party? Does he now stand for Democratic values? Does this explain his connection to Republican Councilwoman Ann Wilson? Interesting, isn’t it.

There are several items that the voters need to know before election day.

Wilson is no friend of labor. She is the only one on council who refused to sign the Free Choice Act. She is extremely anti-union and makes no bones about saying such.

Yet she is proudly aligning herself with some Democrats to ensure that she gets re-elected. Doing this shows that she is doing what has become normal Johns-town politics, which is back-room deals.

The voters need to look at what will be best for Johnstown and Wilson has proven time and again, through her alignment with Jack Williams, that she is out for her own political gains.

It’s time for her to go.

Gary Heider

Johnstown



Don’t allow puppets on school board

Central Cambria parents and taxpayers must vote on Nov. 3. Please learn the facts and be an informed voter.

The “Save Our Homes” group is so focused on saying it doesn’t want our taxes raised that it is willing to mislead taxpayers in our community. These scare tactics must not be tolerated. Some taxpayers are led to believe their taxes are going up by hundreds of dollars. The fact is, the Central Cambria School District average tax increase is $17.

The issue with the middle school is also interesting. The middle school annex project has already been approved by the school board, and plans are moving forward. Some school board members are dragging out this issue, hoping to get more board members to side with them and reverse the plans. What a waste of time and money.

We don’t need puppets on the school board who just go along and vote for what one group wants. We need experienced and knowledgeable professionals to lead our school and our community. Vote for people who care about our children and want to improve our school district. Vote for Marcia Shaheen in Jackson Township and write in Eric Rummel in Ebensburg.

When you have all the facts, it just makes more sense.

Tracy Gibson

Vinco



Neatrour not a friend of union members

Johnstown city councilman and candidate Bill Neatrour is not a friend of Democrats and unions. As a wife of a union member, I am appalled that union membership is lending support to Democratic council candidate Neatrour.

I write to remind all current union members, past steelworkers and their families of the three and a half years that housing authority union members waited for a new contract. As contract negotiations dragged on, who was the chairman of the housing authority board?

Neatrour.

From December 2004 until August 2008 (when Neatrour was replaced on the board) dedicated union workers waited and waited for a small pay raise as cost of living rose. Finally, when Neatrour was replaced in 2008, a contract was settled.

Union members always stick together.

This election, let’s show our strength.

Kimberly A. Dempsey

Johnstown



‘Guest’ was taxpayer, concerned businessman

This letter is in response to the editorial regarding Pete Vizza’s endorsement for city council and the editorial board questioning Vizza “bringing a friend.”

When asked why I was present at the interview, Vizza explained that I am a business owner in the city and, as such, a taxpayer. Vizza also explained the need to keep and attract more businesses to the city.

As mentioned in the editorial, that may be achieved through “a workshop for council and the business community to plan for the future.” Then he explained that I have been a friend of more than 30 years.

While I was photographing a tour of Greater Johnstown school officials and city leaders at the Discovery Center, Mary Borkow approached Vizza about his candidacy and commented about how businessmen in the city pay taxes yet have very little say on issues that affect their businesses.

Vizza took that comment to heart and wants to develop a workshop with local businessmen to keep them in the city because he has seen other businesses leave.

Many businesses have left the city partly because of the situation with council and tax issues. I believe Vizza has the personality and integrity to develop a good working relationship among city officials and businessmen to advance their interests by keeping and attracting businesses to the city.

Roger Kerekes

Owner, Burns Photography by Roger Kerekes

Johnstown