Published: October 30, 2009 02:21 pm      

Floating an idea for vacant Windber store

I see from the front page story in The Tribune-Democrat of Oct. 24 that Windber Borough offices and the police department have to find a new building.

I have an idea. It appears that the new Sheetz convenience store in downtown Windber will soon be ready to open.

Wouldn’t it be a fantastic gesture if Sheetz would donate its soon-to-be-vacant building and property to Windber Borough?

It seems the old Sheetz property would be a good location. The parking lot would have easy assess, ample parking and the building is handicapped accessible. It seems that very few interior modifications would have to be made to accommodate Windber offices and the police department.

Just think how thankful the taxpayers of Windber would be to Sheetz if Windber didn’t have to use tax dollars to rent office space somewhere.

A spokesperson for Sheetz recently stated that the company always tries to be a good neighbor and be involved in the communities they are in.

Gary E. Felski

Windber



No matter the outcome, it won’t be pleasant

In a recent Readers’ Forum letter on Oct. 17 (“Baucus bill blueprint for financial disaster”), Dr. Kerry W. Kirsch pointed out that Medicare has cost the government many millions more than originally projected. I can clearly see why.

Many of us have had elderly loved ones in hospitals during the final stages of their lives. They wheel these feeble people down the hall for test after test and perhaps some surgery. It is said that they do this to defend against lawsuits. They also do it to make money. They have to keep the MRI machines and CT scanners churning to help offset their emergency room loses.

Their reasons are understandable but extremely costly.

Later, you see the charges to Medicare.

And you see the list of doctors you’ve never heard of who stopped by the room, glanced at the chart and billed Medicare.

The docs pile on. All in all you see the thousands upon thousands of dollars billed to Medicare. It is outrageous.

As Congress moves to approve some version of Medicare (Medicare-lite) for many people younger than 65, the financial burden will be even greater. Also, as millions of baby boomers enter the system over the next few years, Medicare will face insolvency.

So brace yourselves for the dreaded “end of life” health care rationing or much higher taxes. Most likely we’ll get both. In any case, it won’t be pleasant.

Jim May

Davidsville



Central high school is best alternative

The consolidation of the Ligonier Valley School District is not an issue of north versus south; it is one school district looking at the future and realizing that there are not enough students to keep operating two high schools and paying to duplicate services.

There are many hardworking families throughout the district who are proud of where they come from and the education that their children are receiving, but it is time to look at the declining housing market, the declining economy, retirement funds shrinking, unemployment and many other factors and realize that we can not continue to carry on the way that we currently are.

The total number of students does not equate to two separate high schools. For years, there have been discussions of a centralized high school, which has failed as well. It is unfortunate, but financially and responsibly this is the best alternative to the problems that the district faces.

I applaud all parents who are stepping up and realizing that a little extra travel time may not be the worst thing that could ever happen to ensure that their neighbors and friends are not strapped with higher taxes.

What is the purpose of raising taxes if we are not raising the bar for our children?

Jessica Light

Ligonier



Misinformation about class sizes

I am a Laurel Valley High School graduate and a New Florence resident, and the local school consolidation issue between Laurel Valley and Ligonier hits home with me.

Lately, there has been some incorrect information spreading through the valley.

It has been said that Laurel Valley has 20 classes with 10 or fewer students in them. I have contacted the guidance counselor at Laurel Valley, who said there are only six classes with 10 or fewer students.

It is hard to make an educated decision because you can be persuaded to one side or the other by the incorrect information.

All residents of the Ligonier Valley School District deserve the information they are presented on such a big issue to be correct and up-to-date. Which is why I wanted to clarify the correct number of classes at Laurel Valley with 10 or fewer students is six, not the 20 which is being said.

Dean Banko

New Florence