On slots license, were taxpayers even considered?

As a Pittsburgher I was astounded and deeply disappointed upon hearing that the Isle of Capri was not awarded the slots license by the state Gaming Control Board.

I consider this a missed opportunity for the state and for the city of Pittsburgh, since both would have benefited from this revenue source: for the state, which would have received its portion of casino revenue; for the city, an arena (free to the taxpayer) to have been used by the Penguins; and for the general public, a venue for events year-round, plus a substantial influx of revenue (again free to the taxpayer) for development in an area that sorely needs to be developed.

Any decision -- such as this one -- made without considering its financial impact on the taxpayer is incomprehensible and unconscionable and can only portend problems in the future.

WILLIAM H. EISINGER
Upper St. Clair

Suggestions, please

As a library director in the Allegheny County Library Association, I must respond to comments made by Judy Gifford of Hampton ("About Library Funds," Dec. 18 letters).

Respectfully, the Allegheny Regional Asset District has asked that the formula approved by a supermajority of ACLA member libraries be evaluated, not necessarily changed.

The formula adopted was developed because of expressed dissatisfaction from member libraries with the established formula, which is based on factors that measure only a portion of what libraries provide in the community -- public service hours and materials borrowed -- but does not measure computer use, staffing levels or programs. Unfortunately, because there is a finite pot of money, any formula adopted will necessarily have one library lose when another one gains.

Municipalities do not support their libraries equally. Baldwin Borough contributes $8.50 per capita to support its library. Clairton supports its library at $5.35 per capita while Hampton, a community with more than a billion dollars in taxable real estate, supports its library at only $6.12 per capita. How can its residents be satisfied supporting its library at a level slightly higher than a distressed community and lower than a community with half the tax base?

Also, RAD resources were never meant to level the playing field but rather were intended to improve the level of library service in each library. I challenge each library to provide concrete recommendations for how to improve the funding formula, rather than complain about what is wrong with it.

CHRISTINE McINTOSH
Director
Baldwin Borough Public Library
Baldwin Borough

Unreasonable bias

I am angered, dismayed but completely not surprised by the Dec. 14 letters from Cyril Wecht ("Beyond the Pale") and Zalman Shapiro ("Carter's Fiction") criticizing Dan Simpson's fine and accurate review of former President Jimmy Carter's book on Palestine. They obviously are the attack dogs when anyone dares to criticize Israel. What galls me the most is their unabashed pro-Israel bias tends to transcend all reason.

I would like to know when either of these gentlemen ever voiced any dissatisfaction with any action taken by Israel. I never heard a peep when Jonathan Pollard was convicted of spying for Israel or more recently when Lawrence A. Franklin from the Pentagon was sentenced for passing classified information to pro-Israel lobbyists and an Israeli government official. I would be most appreciative to see both gentlemen show their zeal for America.

In closing, Jimmy Carter's book is a present I gave to many this Christmas. Mr. Simpson, keep up the fine work.

NORMAN MOSES
New Castle

Why involve Israel?

Isn't it interesting that James Baker, who has a long history of being anti-Israel, co-chairs a study group that wants to pressure Israel, which had absolutely nothing to do with the mess in Iraq, to give up the Golan Heights and who knows what else? Has former Secretary of State Baker forgotten the shells that Syria poured down on Israel when Syria occupied the Golan Heights? Certainly he remembers but doesn't care.

And what about bringing Iran to the table? Remember, when Mr. Baker was secretary of state in 1991 he pressured Israel to accommodate Palestinian demands. When confronted by a colleague about his views, his response was, "(Expletive deleted) the Jews." It seems as if he now wants to "(Expletive deleted) them again."

Where is his acknowledgment and concern about Iran's stated position to wipe Israel off the face of the map? A position that takes on a new reality as Iran thumbs its nose at the world and continues to build its nuclear capability.

I applaud the commission's attempt to find a way for the United States to get out of the Iraq swamp, but let's not use Israel, a nation which has had nothing to do with Iraq, as an innocent pawn, and force it into concessions that can only cause Israel great damage or worse -- its very destruction.

ROBERT A. KUSHNER
Mt. Lebanon

Diesel pollution

While I wouldn't recommend diving into a smoky bar to escape diesel emissions, as Jeff Heiskell Jr. suggests, one assumes somewhat tongue-in-cheek, in his letter ("Worse Than Smoke," Dec. 15), I do agree that action needs to be taken to clean up diesel vehicles.

Trucks, transit buses, school buses, waste haulers, construction equipment, locomotives and marine vessels all contribute to the diesel pollution problem in Pittsburgh. Each must be addressed in any effective cleanup solution.

According to the Clean Air Task Force, it is estimated that because of diesel emissions, 237 local residents face premature death and thousands of asthma attacks each year. Our cancer risk from diesel exhaust is almost 400 times the Environmental Protection Agency's goal, and diesel particulates contribute to the global warming problem.

The Allegheny County Partnership to Reduce Diesel Pollution is working to tackle this serious air pollution problem, by partnering with local school districts, the city of Pittsburgh, the health department and others to clean up diesel vehicles.

Cleaner diesel fuel and advanced retrofit technology that can dramatically cut diesel pollution, by up to 90 percent, are available today. Let's make it a priority to reduce diesel pollution. Then we all can enjoy breathing cleaner, healthier air -- both inside and out.

RACHEL FILIPPINI
Executive Director
Group Against Smog and Pollution
Squirrel Hill

Good man for job

I noted with interest that a professor formerly from the University of California, Dr. Edward J. Blakely, was appointed to direct the reconstruction of New Orleans ("Professor to Oversee Katrina Recovery," Dec. 5). The destruction wrought by Hurricane Katrina has not yet been properly addressed by the administrators of that area, and I was pleased to read about Dr. Blakely's appointment. He will do an excellent job.

Your description of his previous experience did, however, omit his work during the 1970s as director of personnel and affirmative action at the University of Pittsburgh. I worked for him as manager of employment. He did an outstanding job during a very turbulent period.

FRANK McDERMOTT
Scott

Pennsylvania must reduce its contributions to global warming

In regard to the Dec. 3 Forum piece "The Bill Comes Due," a key aspect pertaining to our need for public transportation is its effect on global warming. Global warming is the most considerable threat to the environment of Pennsylvania. The consequences of unimpeded global warming are dire to the health and welfare of all Pennsylvanians.

With pollution from the commonwealth's cars and trucks helping to rank Pennsylvania as the third-biggest producer of global warming pollution among all states, steps must be taken toward creating suitable public transportation alternatives.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania's public transportation systems are in jeopardy because of considerable funding shortfalls from Harrisburg. If this trend of inadequate and inconsistent funding continues, cutbacks in service and increases in fares will lead more Pennsylvanians to get back in their cars and only add to global warming.

To combat this deterioration of our public transportation systems and our environment, our public transportation systems must receive adequate funding at the state level.

PennEnvironment is counting on our leaders in Harrisburg to create a sustainable dedicated funding source for the state's public transportation systems, enabling these systems to do their part to reduce Pennsylvania's contributions to global warming.

DAVE GIFFORD
PennEnvironment
Philadelphia

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