Published: October 30, 2009 01:34 pm      

READERS' FORUM 10-31 | Laurel Crest employees want what they earned

At the Cambria County commissioners meeting of Oct. 23, what was failed to be reported was the information about the clause in the county’s retirement plan that reads: “Involuntary – you are eligible for an involuntary retirement pension if you have eight years of credited service and your termination from county employment is not voluntary or if you are an elected official, and separate from county service after eight years of credited service when your term of office expires.”

This was the reason that the nurses rallied. This was not reported on TV, we only heard what Commissioner P.J. Stevens said, and that would be true if we were retiring under normal circumstances. But we are not.

The article of agreement reads that anyone hired before 2005 should receive their benefits upon retirement. What I am saying is, if we are being forced to involuntarily retire then we should fall under the clause and receive our benefits, not go under the normal retirement clause as Stevens states.

We need help and the community to back us and not let the commissioners sweep us under the rug. We need help to make the commissioners honor their commitments to the loyal employees of Laurel Crest who have worked and sacrificed during the past decade.

We are only asking for what we earned and what we were promised.

Mary J. Fitzsimmons

Gallitzin



Man believes that his way is better

Concerning Joseph Silverman’s column on Oct. 22, “Religious and moral values: The difference matters,” I have to heartily disagree about debating political issues from a religious perspective. God gave us his holy, inerrant, inspired word (the Bible) to live by, and our country became great because we incorporated the teachings of this book into our society.

Of issues such as abortion, homosexuality, women’s rights, the death penalty and polygamy, Silverman writes: “These and other issues are usually debated – futilely from a religious perspective.” While I agree with him that there are varying opinions on these issues, does that mean that Bible-believing Christians should compromise their beliefs and not stand firmly on the word of God?

Anyone who is familiar with the Bible knows that God gives clear answers to all issues: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16).

Man just thinks he knows more than God. He doesn’t want to be restricted by God’s standards because it interferes with man’s sinful lifestyle.

With the Democrats’ blatant, immoral stand on issues and the Republicans cowering compromises, we have to realize little of lasting value will be accomplished through the political arena. However, we still have certain freedoms, at least for the present time, and we can and should debate issues, moral issues in particular.

And the only true and lasting answer to any debate is Christian. There isn’t any other perspective.

Bernie Bolha

Upper Yoder Township



Bush’s blunder was worst decision ever

I am disappointed, not angry, with some of the decisions President Obama has made. He inherited more problems than most presidents before him.

It’s a little early in his presidency for any reasonable person to be angry with him. If he’s doing a lousy job running the country one year from now, I think most people will be angry with him, including me.

When I think of presidents making bad decisions, only one person comes to mind – George W. Bush. His decision to invade Iraq will probably go down in history as the worst decision ever made by a president.

The people writing the negative articles might be upset with Obama’s decisions, but what they really are angry about is the outcome of the past two elections. Since then, nothing has changed in the Republican Party. They still have no leader, no new ideas, no direction and no solutions.

Combine that with the eight years Bush was in office and what you have is a Democrat in the Oval Office for the next seven years and two months.

Nat Boscola

Johnstown



Kudos for role in cancer awareness

On behalf of Windber Medical Center and the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center, I would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation for The Tribune-Democrat’s steadfast role in raising breast cancer awareness in this region.

Whether it was through facts about breast cancer or a human interest story, the newspaper continued the momentum with daily entries over a full month.

Regardless of the hospital, the center or the provider, the Tribune provided a significant contribution in educating our region each and every day in October.

Being new to the area, I didn’t know what to expect, but the Tribune clearly exceeded even my most optimistic expectations.

Throughout October, I looked forward to my morning paper to read all the articles that were included on a daily basis; the sensitive method of reporting; and the attention to education were clearly noted.

It is my belief that, through the commitment to raise awareness of this dreadful disease, the Tribune likely contributed to one more person having a mammogram or maybe one more early detection or maybe even one more early intervention.

Thank you for your commitment and contributions to the health of our region.

Barbara Cliff

President and CEO

of Windber Medical Center



Which way should we baptize?

Is the baptism of babies scriptural? I looked this up in the Bible, and I can’t find anywhere that they baptized babies. Dedication of children is scriptural.

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to children.” So I came to the conclusion that when you reach the age of accountably, and you are truly sorry for your sins and repent, then you should be baptized.

It says in the Bible, “Repent and be baptized and you will be saved.”

So should we baptize the way of tradition or should we baptize the way of the Bible?

Randy Knupp

Johnstown