Letters to the editor
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This comment was an insult to city voters
I read your endorsement of Sharene Shealey for the District 1 school board race ("Shealey in District 1: She's the Strongest Choice for the School Board," May 5). It is unclear exactly what questions you asked during the candidate interviews. Shortly after your endorsement, I read another article about the candidates in the Pittsburgh City Paper. The following quote was attributed to Ms. Shealey: "Pittsburgh tends to be a racist city, and so it's hard when you don't have diversity at the highest levels ... to promote diversity at the lowest."
I find it disappointing that the Post-Gazette would endorse a candidate who thinks that our city is racist. That is a rather damning reflection of all of us as citizens of Pittsburgh. Further, based on the city's strong support of Barack Obama in the recent presidential election it seems to be a very unfair criticism.
Your description of the other candidates, Sherry Brooks and Christine Stone, seemed positive. You said that Ms. Shealey "stands out," but you provide no basis. Is it really the Post-Gazette's position that it endorse candidates who call our city racist? I was very proud of our city's support of Barack Obama and the way Pittsburghers have worked together, irrespective of race, neighborhood, sex or ethnic background in recent times.
I think your readership deserves an explanation of how the Post-Gazette can endorse a candidate who unfairly condemns us as racists.
DAVID J. ROSENBERG
Shadyside
Braddock's hope
In response to the May 4 article about Braddock's mayor ("Braddock Mayor Has His Critics"): Braddock is no Mayberry. In a town of dilapidated buildings, dwindling population, poverty and crime, Braddock may not have a "pretty sunset." This mayor brought the first ray of sunshine to the town in a long, long time. He brought hope.
JANICE C. BREHM
Wilmerding
District 6 wish
The people of District 6 have scrutinized and watched city Councilwoman Tonya Payne's successes and failures. The noncaring attitude speaks for itself. You can visit almost any street in the Hill District where I reside and be embarrassed and humiliated about the garbage, trash, abandoned houses and buildings that have been taken over or burned down by drug addicts.
Large re-election signs don't mean a thing to people who know and see the inept leadership that we have been forced to endure for the past four years. We need and deserve someone who is capable of and willing to work for us rather than merely occupy the City Council seat. Intelligent voters see through those huge posters and recognize them to be narcissistic and a show of perceived importance.
EUNICE HOWZE
Hill District
Vast experience
In response to your May 3 editorial "Common Pleas Picks," I respectfully ask the voters to elect Judge Carolyn Saldari Bengel to Common Pleas Court on May 19. She has extensive judical experience. She is currently serving her 16th year as the district judge of Fawn and Harrison townships. She has presided over thousands of cases involving criminal, civil and family matters.
Judge Bengel lives by the cherished Western Pennsylvania ethics of hard work and giving back to her community. Her work does not end at her courtroom door. She has established these important programs in her communities: National D.A.R.E. Day and the Red Ribbon Program, two anti-substance abuse programs that she has adopted for elementary school children.
Judge Bengel conducts mock trials at Highland High school to teach students how trials are conducted and instills respect for our legal system.
She is the first district judge outside the city of Pittsburgh to create a program to deal with domestic violence.
Based on her vast experience and commitment to community service, I ask the voters to elect Carolyn Saldari Bengel to Common Pleas Court.
HAROLD GLICK
Squirrel Hill
Judicious choice
I am writing in support of Phil Ignelzi, who is running for Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. I knew of Phil when he was a prosecuting attorney. I personally knew of a case he prosecuted and won. He really is dedicated to the law. When he became a trial lawyer, he represented me in a case, which he won. To see him in a courtroom was really a unique experience I'll never forget.
Phil Ignelzi has a great respect for the people and the law. He will not disappoint you. I am very proud to know Phil. He will be a good and dedicated judge. Take it from me, someone who saw extreme dedication for the people and the law.
Do a good deed: Vote for Phil Ignelzi for judge.
GRACE JANESKO YOUNG
Mount Oliver
Highly qualified
Among the candidates competing for the five vacant seats on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Hugh McGough stands out for his exceptional legal ability, experience and record of community service. As a young attorney, Mr. McGough successfully fought a large insurance company that was denying benefits to the family of a child with a devastating medical condition. Most recently, he defended the constitutionality of the city of Pittsburgh's displaced workers' ordinance, protecting janitors when office buildings are sold.
Mr. McGough has changed the status quo, by a combination of hard work and keen intellect. He has a talent for studying the evidence to find the facts, then applying the law to those facts to reach a solid outcome. This is exactly what a good judge does, and it is the reason Mr. McGough is well-suited to be a judge.
The Allegheny County Bar Association has ranked him "highly recommended," believing him to possess the utmost experience, temperament, integrity and ability to serve honorably on Common Pleas Court.
Every community needs judges of the highest ability, experience and integrity. You could not do better than to vote for Hugh McGough.
SUZANNE S. McLAUGHLIN
Edgewood
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First Published May 16, 2009 12:00 am
