The core infrastructure of our Downtown is an abominable, embarrassing mess. Why would anyone want to move into the city when basic things can't be provided or maintained. This year's Three Rivers Arts Festival is a perfect example of why Downtown must be cleaned up.
On Sunday morning, June 8, I was walking through town on my way to the gym and here is what I saw: cracked, collapsed sidewalks; unpaved, half-paved and worn down streets; no crosswalk signs; cigarette butts everywhere (come on, residents, this is gross!); litter spilling out of garbage cans; and crumbling streets in Market Square (and, as part of the festival, lined with worn-down trailers that look like garbage receptacles).
This is an arts festival? For so many years, the Three Rivers Arts Festival was something this city could be proud of. But until Point State Park is back in working order, you risk losing residents and especially guests from out of town who may see the current state of our Downtown, and specifically the Market Square area, and not want to come back. How can you even focus on art when the natural setting of the event is such a mess! If we want to be a world-class city, we must fix and maintain the infrastructure of our Downtown.
LEANORA BORELLI
Lawrenceville
J. Goralzick ("Pay as You Go," June 10 letters) assumes that because he does not ride the bus, he gets no benefit from the existence of the Port Authority. However, every resident of this region benefits from public transit.
Imagine the traffic if everyone on the bus were to drive individual cars. Since workers earning lower wages are more likely to use public transit, there would be no one to wait on Mr. Goralzick in stores and restaurants. And don't get sick, Mr. Goralzick, because many hospital employees would have no way to get to work.
For many people, it is not a choice of paying $2, $5 or the cost of car ownership -- the current $2 fare is already a hardship.
But his more outrageous error in logic is assuming that because he has no children, he does not benefit from public education. He may not literally "use the facilities" but he benefits every day from living in a society with a strong public education system.
Yes, like the Port Authority, our schools have their problems, but a society that does not value quality educational opportunities for all is doomed. Mr. Goralzick's friends, neighbors, co-workers -- maybe even his doctor and lawyer -- went to public schools, and his life is better for it.
MARJORIE STEWART
Edgewood
I am writing in response to the excellent points Brian O'Neill made in his June 8 column, "North Shore Connector, You're Looking Good."
I just don't think $4-a-gallon gas is a high enough price to prompt the sort of institutional thinking necessary to spur development of additional light-rail, or even heavy-rail, mass transit. That said, the meteoric rise in fuel prices of late has prompted many a wag -- Mr. O'Neill included -- to start the grumbling in this direction.
Real debate on this issue will only come, I suspect, as gas prices continue to rise, which, as sure as day turns to night, will happen.
As a longtime mass transit rider, I've noticed a dramatic increase in bus ridership in the very recent past. I live in the East End, however, which is populated with students, egg heads, tree huggers and other non-Hummer drivers, so the results of my less-than-scientific analysis (i.e., I don't get a seat as often as I used to) may be skewed.
Our newest tunnel, though silly at first blush, may, when coupled with the rise in gas prices, prompt more people to use the T to go to the North Side attractions than before.
I'm also glad that Mr. O'Neill emphasized the point that our gas dollars go into the hands of nations/regimes that do not have America's interests at heart. This point cannot be overstated. Rather than fight wars that are costly in blood and treasure, the average Jane and Joe could put their money where their mouths are and buy a bus pass or ride a bike, and tell their congressmen to increase funding for comprehensive light-rail transit in our region.
FRED RAPONE
Squirrel Hill
As displaced Pittsburghers, we have long known that you can move but you never really leave.
In our little town we frequent a small, local restaurant, long owned by transplanted New Yorkers who are huge Yankees fans. We, of course, have ongoing good-natured discourses on sports teams. Recently, as we were paying our bill, the owner pulled us aside with a story. He had begun a foundation for brain-damaged children and had contacted every professional sports team for a donation for a fund-raising auction. Besides two donations from Florida teams, the only positive responses he got were from the Pirates and the Steelers. He was truly touched, as were we.
Small gestures of generosity color thinking about teams and cities and have a lasting impact in many ways. We are always proud to say we are from the 'Burgh.
PAULA and DAVE GLUCH
DeLand, Fla.
I believe that by far the majority of people in this country would, if elected president, try their very best to leave a legacy that, even hundreds of years from now, would stand as one of the finest presidencies ever. But it does seem that the old expression stands true: absolute power corrupts, absolutely.
For example, why a Myanmar, why an Iran or a North Korea? Let us hope that whether Barack Obama or John McCain is elected president that he will not let his power run away with his decency, as happened in the above cases, or with his brains as happened here in the United States these past years.
EDWIN J. BORREBACH
Bradford Woods
I saved and purchased a home within my means. I plan to buy another home within my means. Bailing out the foolish with my tax money and probably my grandchildren's tax money is not the government's job.
Tyranny does not begin with taking my gun; it begins by taking my money.
DENNIS DEPPEN
Elizabeth Township
On June 9, I received a letter from the Internal Revenue Service stating that I should receive my economic stimulus payment of $600 by June 13. However, since I make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, I will be making a payment of $1,000 today. Does this whole damn thing make any sense?
DAVID G. CRAIGIE
Bridgeville
Let's hear it for the Pennsylvania Legislature. We can no longer say it doesn't care for the people, and Senate Bill 246 proves it: by banning smoking in more than 90 percent of Pennsylvania's public places and work areas ("Anti-Smoking Measure to Take Effect in 90 Days," June 14). This carefully crafted piece of legislation protects the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke, while banishing smokers to casinos, some hotels and taverns that meet other government requirements.
Are there no legislators left who believe in freedom? What gives the government the right to tell a business owner who he can serve? Or how his business should be run? If our elected officials wish to run a business, may I suggest they start one and try to manage it according to the rules and regulations they have imposed? What can we expect next, "No smokers need apply" signs in windows?
I don't understand the double standard. Harrisburg uses the tax revenue from cigarettes to fund government programs. In turn, the Legislature punishes the activity it needs to encourage to keep programs going. If secondhand smoke and smoking itself are dangerous activities that drive up health-care costs, would we be better served to just eliminate it altogether?
Make it illegal to manufacture, sell or smoke tobacco products in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That should drive down the cost of health care. Once that is accomplished, the leadership in Harrisburg could then start to concentrate on the tragic effects of secondhand alcoholic beverage drinking. This could be done slowly, say by implementing a 10 percent drink tax, then ...
JOHN G. PARKS
Pleasant Hills
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First Published: June 16, 2008, 4:00 a.m.
