Letters to the editor
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Can't they see how transit cuts affect people?
Another year is upon Western Pennsylvania and another discussion of possible Port Authority route cutbacks and cancellations is here. This personally hits home for my family, as my parents are senior citizens who are still in the work force and live on Mount Washington.
It's been reported that their neighborhood is one of several where service may be eliminated completely. They were affected by the last route cutbacks and are currently walking several blocks to Grandview Avenue to get to a bus or incline. Their stop has been eliminated even though buses travel the street often and could easily pick them up.
What the decision makers need to realize is that all people in the area need to get to work or doctor's appointments, especially in Allegheny County -- the nation's second oldest per capita. That, and the 600 Port Authority employees who may lose their jobs, should weigh heavily on the minds of those in charge.
JOHN HALL
Mount Washington
Why I don't care
As a resident of Richland (aka Gibsonia) since 1987, we haven't had Port Authority bus service in our community for all those years. So why, oh why, should I/we care what happens to the Port Authority?
For years we have had a portion of our property tax (which we are forced to pay) given to the Port Authority to support the bus service when we get no benefit from it. Now we must also pay a drink tax in addition to that portion of our property tax, with still no bus service.
Personally I could not care less if the Port Authority dries up and blows away. Does anyone care how I will get to work, or the doctors, or the grocery store? Does anyone care how I or my neighbors will get around? Hell no! But, as far as I am hearing, that is the question about all others who live within Port Authority bus routes that may be canceled.
Either give all taxpayers who support this service bus service, or go out of business. Yes, no one put a gun to my head to live where I do, but on the same token ... no one put a gun to the heads of the citizens who chose to live within Port Authority bus routes.
RAYMOND C. KOHSER
Richland
Shaky values
It's now clear that South Carolina "values voters" were just fine, thanks very much, shimmying out of those confining (and alleged) "family values" and were ready to get freaky with serial-adulterer Newt Gingrich.
I'm sure Newt's also fine sharing his bed -- he's used to seeing a new face or three there.
Don't look now, South Carolina holier-than-thous -- but the weight of compromising yourselves has made that rocky moral foundation you say you stand on look a little fractured.
D.A. MALONEY
Observatory Hill
Newt's character
One person's thoughts on the last debate held before the South Carolina primary: Newt Gingrich said the first question was an appalling way to start a presidential debate. To paraphrase a line from a movie a while back: Mr. Gingrich, when picking a president it is all about character. That incident with your wife that was put into the news the very day of the debate is about character. But you don't want us to question your character.
However, Mr. Gingrich, when you questioned Mitt Romney about terminating people and sometimes tearing apart companies under the guise of restructuring those companies while making big money for Bain Capital, what you were doing was questioning his character! And when you attacked Rick Santorum for his seeking excessive earmarks while condemning big government, again you were raising the question of your opponent's character!
So, Mr. Gingrich, it is clear that, in general, a question involving character is a proper question. And since we know from the wealth all three of you have accumulated that you are all intelligent men, and since all three of you are voicing (although not necessarily believing in) the same policies, what is left for the people to determine is what kind of people are the three of you. So, don't say that a question involving character is not a proper question to start a presidential debate.
Newt, what's left is pretty much all about character!
HOWARD LOPER
Bethel Park
Northern exodus
Over the next few days we will be inundated with information on how Newt Gingrich will win the presidency. Don't worry. He will never be inaugurated next January.
The Canadians will never allow it. They will intervene in order to prevent themselves from being buried by millions of Democrats heading north! Personally, I'm checking out Toronto this spring.
ROBERT GROSS
Richland
Shovel: It's the law
I attended a City Theatre performance Friday night. Earlier that morning I had shoveled my walks at home because of the snowfall overnight. I shovel my walks because I do not want anyone using my sidewalks to fall because I did not shovel. There are also city and state ordinances that require snow removal within a 24-hour time for those who need other motivation.
The South Side, and the area around the City Theatre in particular, with patrons, many elderly, having to walk on the icy, snow-covered walks, is an obvious danger. Prevention of just one broken bone through better city enforcement would be worth the extra effort.
However, of even greater shock was seeing, as we walked to an after-dinner meal onto East Carson Street, that only one business in a two-block area had shoveled its walks, this being 12 to 14 hours after the last snow had fallen. How indifferent and uncaring of their customers. What a display of lack of pride in each and every business.
D.B. FALL
Squirrel Hill
The PSU trustees have failed the university
How sad that Joe Paterno has died shortly after being fired by the Penn State board of trustees in such a cowardly and imperious fashion.
The board apparently was greatly upset that JoePa wanted to voluntarily retire at the end of the football season. Apparently they thought that he was undermining their authority.
Can anyone please tell me what positive action this vaunted board of trustees did in the months prior to the explosive announcement of Jerry Sandusky's indictment? The answer is nothing .
They should all resign as they have all failed Penn State University.
MATTHEW PAUNOVICH
Penn State Class of '64
White Oak
PSU heartache
Eventually, there will be films made, books written, tell-all exposes in the scandal sheets, lies told, excuses made, hearts broken and bodies buried as a result of the Jerry Sandusky-Penn State sex scandal.
Already, an icon of the sports world has lost his life, not caused directly by the firing from his coaching job but certainly weakened in spirit by the accusations that he could have done more. What a way to repay the years of loyal service that benefited the lives of thousands of others and enriched the reputation of a state university to that of a world-class position as a sports dynasty.
The hypocrisy surrounding the "buck passing" by the Penn State trustees and the scapegoating of Joe Paterno will go down in history. My gratitude goes out to Franco Harris and those others who were brave enough to stand up and be counted.
The crime of child sex abuse is heinous, indeed, and if true or untrue, in this case, compounded by the cowardly way accusations have been exploited.
JACQUALINE NICOLL
Bethel Park
Apologies in order
I am writing to affirm all the letters of Monday on the passing of dear Joe Paterno. Franco Harris was so right and the trustees were so wrong. They killed JoePa. Stupid is no word for it. They should apologize 100 times over for what they did.
God bless the Paterno family and the Penn State family during this very sad time.
ELEANOR McHUGH
Mt. Lebanon
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First Published January 25, 2012 12:00 am
