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Thursday, January 17, 2002
Reassessments are an excuse not to make improvements
Concerning the Allegheny County property reassessments: I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the nearly $40,000 increase in my home's value. My wife had a large to-do list of improvements that she wanted me to complete. But since she fears these improvements would raise the value of our home even higher next year and in the years to come, she has canceled all improvement plans.
Gone are the curved stone steps with wrought-iron handrails, gone are the new stone retaining walls, gone are the landscaping plans and irrigation system, gone is the new rear patio and water feature, gone is the new concrete driveway and, last, gone are the plans for an addition to the rear of our home.
I would like to thank the county for saving me all the time and money it would have taken to complete these projects. I would also like to thank the county for helping me to keep my home. Had I gone ahead with all these improvements, I certainly would have taxed myself right out of my home.
I think that if I just repair my home as things wear out and break over the next 50 or 60 years and make no improvements, we just might be able to grow old here, maybe.
It's a pity though; people take such pride in their homes. Allegheny County will soon become famous not for its sports stadiums and bridges, but instead for being the county in Pennsylvania with the most outdated and rundown homes. But if the county could persuade all area employers to raise salaries at the same rate as assessments, 48 percent this year in our case, then we would have the best homes in the state.
JIM SILER
Moving out
I received my new reassessment notice on Saturday and ridiculous is not extreme enough to describe the increase, nor my amazement. Last year my assessment increased 18 percent, and this year I am being notified that it is increased almost 50 percent (48 percent). I believe 50 percent to be more than ridiculous. It is unethical, and for those who can afford it, will encourage moving out of the county.
After living in Allegheny County for 47 years and owning homes in Pittsburgh for over 30 years, I will be moving out of Allegheny County as soon as I can. I also believe that others will be following suit, taking a needed tax base for the city and the county with them.
KENNETH L. HIRSCHL
'Patch' and propaganda
The two problems with the "Patch" Adams "lecture" at Mt. Lebanon High School were that it was mandatory and lacked balance ("School Address by Activist to Get Another Airing," Jan. 14). Forcing the student body to sit and listen to anti-American propaganda without the presentation of some rebuttal is offensive to many parents.
Next week I will become a parent for the first time, and my daughter will be raised with a certain attitude about this country. She will know that it is her right, if not her duty, to stand up, square her shoulders and walk away with pride from any speech putting out the type of claptrap Dr. Adams was spewing. If she is punished for such actions, then she will know to wear that punishment as a badge of honor.
The real problem with speakers like Dr. Adams is that, while most teens are smart enough to see through the America bashing, once in a while there is a 15-year-old who buys into it. He or she will become convinced that bin Laden and his cronies are justified in blaming America, and they will decide to take some action. Then, after they steal a plane and crash it into a building, everyone will sit around wringing their hands and asking, "Where did we fail this child?"
A balanced presentation, or at least some rebuttal, would have minimized the potential for a really negative response from a student who did not understand that Dr. Adams was "just trying to stimulate discussion" when he made the statements about how many babies America murdered last year in Iraq.
PATRICK A. HEWITT
Don't buy Chinese goods
While reading the Jan. 15 article ("With No Warning") concerning the abrupt shutdown of a Somerset shoe plant, I zeroed in on the words "cheaper imports." Therein lies the rub. Every time I pick up a pair of shoes these days the label reads "Made in China." In fact, practically every time I pick up anything these days and look for the maker, it reads "Made in China."
I'll grant you that I'm not shopping in the Galleria; I can't afford the luxury. But I probably represent the majority of this country's shoppers, and where we shop we're seeing "Made in China" over and over. I'm sick of it and people like me are losing their jobs because of it.
In the not-so-long-ago past I grew up in, we bought products sold in our own neighborhoods (even made in our own neighborhoods!) if possible, then branched out to go in search of the more elusive items in other suburbs or Downtown. When things were made in Japan, we spurned them.
Now when I see things made in Japan, I'm happy to buy them. They weren't made in a communist country that suppresses its people at least! We need a revolution in this country again, albeit a quiet one. Let's stop buying things from China. We should probably include other countries, especially those infamous for taking away the civil liberties of their people or just plain old torture, kidnapping and murder, but let's just concentrate on China for now.
I do feel sorry for their people, who are suppressed, but not at the expense of our jobs, futures and food on the table.
Just say no to Chinese products that could, should and used to be made here in the United States. Say no to layoffs, shut- downs and company closings. Instead of fighting our own company management in court, fight the good fight in our stores. Buy American whenever possible, even if it means a dollar or two difference.
I would love to see Kmart or Target go entirely American in their products. I would love to shop there and have to look only at the size and washing instructions before I buy something, feeling confident it was made by Americans like me. Is it even possible to stock a store with U.S. products anymore, or have too many businesses gone under? Are too many people out of work and down on their luck to even afford U.S. products?
ALICE DOYLE
Include the Greens
On Jan. 29, the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association will hold its 2002 Gubernatorial Debate between the two Democrats and one Republican who are still running for governor. As your paper reported ("Green Party Backs Candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor," Jan. 15), there is a third officially recognized party in Pennsylvania.
The Green Party held its first nominating convention on Jan. 13 and selected Michael Morrill as its candidate for governor. Yet he is being excluded from the debate, just as Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan were barred from the 2000 presidential debates.
The rules for this debate specify that to be included, a party must have 35 percent of the registered voters in Pennsylvania. Since three times 35 percent is 105 percent, this rule guarantees that only two parties can participate. Third parties are excluded from the debate.
Mike Morrill would bring real interest to what otherwise might be a dull event.
LLOYD STIRES
School of nursing
On Jan. 14, you published a letter to the editor titled: "Give Me Night Classes and I'll Gladly Become a Nurse." Apparently your reader failed to call us! I am delighted to inform your readers that we do indeed have an evening/weekend nursing program in Pittsburgh. UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing provides both a day program and an evening/weekend program option wherein students can complete all the program requirements to become a registered nurse. Your readers can find detailed information about our program on the web at www.upmc.edu/shadyside/schoolofnursing or by calling us at 412-623-2950 .
MARY AUKERMAN
Talk is not cheap
Reaching into my pocket for 35 cents, I planned to call for a ride home after an extracurricular activity at school. After several attempts to call, I realized that the pay phone was not rejecting my money, but asking for more. When did the price of a phone call increase by 15 cents? If the price of a stamp changes one cent, the public hears about it for weeks in advance. How come a 15-cent change was not heavily advertised? Maybe it is because cell phones are now used in place of pay phones.
BETHANY BUCHKO
Beware the pop-and-grab artists
On Jan. 8 at 10 p.m., my husband and I were leaving Heinz Hall where we had attended a beautiful Viennese concert. On our way to the parking garage on Penn Avenue, two well-dressed women came up from behind and walked into my husband. Then these two women proceeded to cross directly in front of us. One of them said, "Excuse me." I thought this was extremely rude of them. When my husband and I reached the parking lot I noticed that my shoulder bag was missing.
On reporting the theft of my purse to a police officer, I was informed that this ploy is called "pop and grab" and it is used by the prostitutes Downtown. When I remarked that the two women did not look like prostitutes, the police officer said that they had to dress up to look like they are just part of the theatergoing crowd.
I would like to warn your readers about the "pop-and-grab" artists who are working the Downtown Pittsburgh streets. Fortunately, I did not have any money or credit cards in my evening bag.
The next time I have to be Downtown, I will carry my shoulder bag under my coat so that it will not be visible to any thieves.
GOLDIE B. OTTENHEIMER
Bethel Park
Highland Park
Upper St. Clair
Bethel Park
Indiana
Director\UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
Shadyside
McKees Rocks
Forest Hills