Published: November 25, 2008 09:02 am            

READERS' FORUM 11/26 | Youth must be taught money management

With the pervasive news coverage of America’s financial turmoil, our children may have questions about what is going on in our economy. Many adults have a difficult time understanding, much less explaining in an age-appropriate way to a child, what is going on in our government and financial markets.

America can, and must, do a better job of educating our kids about effective money management, not only so they can avoid the financial pitfalls into which so many adults have fallen, but because our kids will someday run our businesses, our government and our financial institutions.

How can young people get the financial knowledge they so desperately need? Fortunately, there are organizations that are answering the call to educate the next generation of consumers about how to effectively manage money.

Junior Achievement is one such organization, working closely with the business and education communities to deliver programs that teach K-12 students age-appropriate, hands-on lessons about how to be financially literate. After participating in Junior Achievement programs, students see the important connections among education, career, salary and desired lifestyle.

I encourage businesses to support organizations such as Junior Achievement, which currently reaches more than 4 million K-12 students in the United States annually. In Cambria and Somerset counties, more than 12,000 students participated last year.

It is critical for our young people to learn effective money management so that they can become responsible contributors to our communities and to the global economy in the future.

Raymond B. Kohler

Chairman, Junior Achievement

of Western Pennsylvania



Firefighters’ plight better understood

There are a lot of things we in Shade Township can do without, but losing our fire department or emergency response units are not among them. Losing our local government could be one of them.

Losing our fire insurance or home owner’s insurance is not one of them.

I was not aware of the high costs of running and maintaining the volunteer fire company. Our fire chief explained it quite well and, in the future, I’ll find the minimal donation on a more consistent basis.

But what I really don’t understand is the commitment and dedication of these people. They’re volunteers who, after putting in a full day’s work, respond to a whistle that’s blowing sometimes late at night.

Somebody’s mother is having a heart attack or someone’s son or daughter has wrecked his or her car or there’s a house burning, and they go, no questions asked.

If a millage increase will let them maintain a working budget, I’ll work it into mine.

Gary L. Russell

Shade Township



Unpaid $50 bill brings REA cutoff threat



I am very upset that REA Energy does not come under the state Public Utility Commission and was wondering, why not?

I received a termination notice recently when my bill fell behind by $50. I have been a customer of REA for 21⁄2 years and have always paid my bills on time.

Unfortunately, I had surgery in September and fell behind a little bit.

I also noticed that they are overcharging me.

Because REA does not belong to the PUC, a lot of organizations won’t help with your bills.

I just don’t understand how they can shut off your electricity over $50. I tried to make payment arrangements, but that wasn’t good enough for them.

Christine Haselbarth

Patton

Editor’s note: The PUC in Harrisburg acknowledged that REA does not come under its oversight; there is no authorization from the Legislature. An REA official in Indiana said that “REA Energy has a privacy policy and will not discuss a consumer’s account information.”



Store closes but memories never fade



This week marks the end of a long run for Value City Department Store in suburban Johnstown.

When reminiscing on the events of the past 25 years, it brings back many fond memories: Ice Cream Joe serving cones at our annual tent sale, when you could always count on a week of solid rain; dressing up in our ’50s garb and listening to rock ‘n’ roll music on the musac system for Good Old Days or Value City Rocks.

Those were the days when midnight madness sales really did last until midnight and the associates dressed in their pjs or the many dress-up contests for Halloween, featuring the Tinman, Bozo the Clown, Indian maidens, pregnant nuns and Sponge Bob wandering through the shoe department.

Memories of the many Black Fridays, with lines of customers down past the post office in snow, blizzards, freezing rain, all waiting for a $20 gift certificate and a doughnut. Associates needed to protect themselves or they would get trampled when the doors were opened. We always put on a smile for the customers.

We saw many associates come and go in 25 years – some great workers and some not-so-great. We all became one big family at 890 Scalp Ave. because we spent more time with our co-workers than we did with our actual families at home. We went through marriages, divorces, births and deaths of our dear loved ones, just like other families.

So when you go by the shopping center, remember it’s not just another empty store, it’s a building full of wonderful memories and a lifetime of friendships.

Darlene Hoffman

25-year associate

Davidsville

        

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