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PrintRendell gives wealthy Upper St. Clair unnecessary aid
Despite an enormous $50 million budget, Upper St. Clair School District cut its International Baccalaureate Program for "financial reasons." The community balked, though, and Gov. Ed Rendell tabbed $85,000 of state tax dollars to fund the program ("USC Restores Contested Program," April 25). Nice handout for wealthy Upper St. Clair, but how should Duquesne City School District feel?
While the academically thriving Upper St. Clair had funds to build a new high school and renovate all three of its elementary schools, the state forced a board of control to run Duquesne school district due to its desperate financial state. The socio-economic status of Duquesne families is the opposite of Upper St. Clair. In the Duquesne school district, 96 percent of the elementary school and 78 percent of secondary students come from low-income families.
Unlike rich Upper St. Clair, Duquesne's budget consists of a mere $13 million with a $3.3 million deficit. The lack of finances is leaving Duquesne with no choice but to cut its arts, music and sports programs. Furthermore, the academic and financial deterioration of Duquesne has forced many of its students to find a new school district.
By funding Upper St. Clair, Gov. Ed Rendell neglects other schools that are in much greater need of financial assistance than large-budget schools with wealthy homeowners. Upper St. Clair should foot the International Baccalaureate Program bill, not the state.
What kind of society cheers as the rich get richer, but the poor are left in need?
ASHLEY VAN HORN
Mt. Lebanon
Can't alter the past
I am writing in response to Ann Rodgers' article "Presbytery Vote Keeps Harsh Stance on Gays" (April 21). I am an elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and voted in favor of keeping the statements contained in the minutes from the 190th General Assembly meeting in 1978.
My vote does not reflect my agreement with these statements, but reflects the tremendous importance of the historical record. The attempt by the Presbytery of Cincinnati and its supporters here in Pittsburgh to alter this record by removing these statements must be looked upon as a dangerous undertaking. Changing history to satisfy a present agenda must be seriously addressed. I am not advocating ignoring or forgetting these potentially inflammatory statements made in 1978. Rather, I am advocating using these statements to help us move forward in this controversial and sensitive issue facing the Presbyterian Church today.
As Christians we are mandated not to judge anyone, including those members of the 1978 General Assembly. The act of removing those statements would be an act of judgment, one that those supporting the removal are obviously willing to make. We do not have to be proud of the past, but we are not in a position to change it. We are, however, in a position to change the future. We should dwell on how best to speak to this controversial matter by not removing the words of the past, but penning the words of the future.
MARY JO BUFFO
West View
A reason for shackles
I think it may be wrong for Allegheny County Sheriff Pete DeFazio to ban shackles on women prisoners during birth ("Sheriff Bans Shackles During Birth," April 20). Prisoners are prisoners for a reason and shackled for the same reason. These women have shown disrespect for the law and societal values. What makes anyone think that these women might act otherwise during labor and potentially cause harm to a guard or other person?
As a woman who has given birth, I do not think the shackles should restrict movement, but that can be accomplished by loosely chaining the wrist to the bedrail. I think it is time that the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International stand up for those whose lives are potentially in jeopardy when handling prisoners.
ANN HARTMAN
Slippery Rock
Why an arena?
I'm confused. Bringing legalized gambling into our state is a complicated, ambiguous undertaking that deserves careful study.
What does hockey have to do with it? Why does an arena enter into it? Should the golfers in the area demand a 36-hole course Downtown from the bidders? How about bowlers, ping-pong players and other groups? Shouldn't they all be included?
If there is excess profit to afford arenas, shouldn't it go to the state to fund more urgent needs of all the citizens?
J.E. SCHERER
Mt. Lebanon
No margin for error
I work in Pittsburgh's film community. Earlier this month, after a hard month of work on the road, I woke to a knock on my door. The gas man told me he had just shut off my service. I'd forgotten to pay my bill.
Wait a minute, I said, and I'd pay it by phone immediately. Sorry. He had already locked the meter. He left. No apologies. A toll-free call later, I was told I had to pay the overdue and current amounts, security deposit and a reconnect fee. I did, and asked if the man could come back and turn the gas back on. Sorry. It could take 72 hours. Any complaints? Call the PUC.
I made that call to complain of being treated, if not unfairly, then at least uncompassionately. Sorry. The agent said that since I paid the bill, there was no problem. By the time a complaint was investigated, my gas would be on.
My gripe isn't about these issues. It was my mistake, for which I paid. It's about this so-called equity the good people at the gas company are selling.
I am aware of a drug dealer who lives not far from me. Arrested several times, hasn't worked an honest day in years, eligible for permanent disability. Never has his gas shut off and gets help paying his bills.
I had to wait days to have my service restored because they had so many reconnects ahead of mine. I wondered how many disconnects were the result of people forgetting or older folks unable to keep up, and how many honest citizens, who work, pay taxes and contribute to society healthily but make simple mistakes, are being treated as equitably.
CHRIS LUGAR
Brighton Heights
Two parents are best
I couldn't agree more with Theresa J. Sicuro in her April 24 letter, "Fathers Who Abandon Families Leave a Gaping Hole," noting that families without fathers deny children their right to a loving, supportive family.
Her points are extremely valid, and children need their fathers to have an active role in their daily lives. Why then do the courts not take a stand in divorce cases to first consider joint custody?
Generally, the mother gets primary custody and the father might get two weekends a month and a hefty child support payment. This is criminal. How can a father actively make a difference in his children's lives having them for 24 days out of the year? It gets worse when a parent is allowed to move out of state with the children, therefore removing the other parent from their lives completely.
As a divorced mother who has worked out joint custody for my children, I ask parents involved in divorce to first consider your children when working out custody arrangements. It is not in your children's best interest to remove the other parent from their lives (except in cases of actual abuse or neglect).
And I ask the courts to remember that these children have two parents who have a right to be a part of their lives unless they have abused those rights.
Joint custody is not always easy, but part of being a parent is sometimes having to sacrifice what we want for the sake of our children. Please give children the right to a father and a mother.
LISA DAPPRICH
Ross
Unhappy events in our former, happy homestead
I read the article last week regarding a woman found dead in a house on Eastmont Avenue in Dormont ("Dead Woman's Beau Facing Drug Charges," April 19). I moved when I was 5 years old into a house on Eastmont Avenue, and my family (parents, grandparents, sisters and brother) spent more than 50 years there. The home was sold after the last of my parents died several years ago.
How sad it was to learn that the house in question was my family home for all those years -- the thousands of special memories now tainted by the fact that it had been turned into a house for drugs and that a young woman died in my old bathroom. It's unbelievable that more than 70 marijuana plants were found where we used to play in the basement.
Good people and good neighborhoods are prey to the evil of drugs. We all need to be vigilant, parents and neighbors alike, to make sure things like this are not repeated. In the meantime, my sisters and brother and I will try to focus on remembering the good times on Eastmont Avenue.
I am glad that our parents, who worked so hard to make that house our home for all those years, are not alive to see this.
NANCY LOVASIK KENNEDY
Mt. Lebanon
