Opinion category, Page 286
Letter to the editor: Vote Innamorato to end fracking
At every opportunity, it seems, Michael Lamb stated that he will ban fracking in Allegheny County if elected, but I still have questions. Fracking has made the corporate energy industry a big business in the U.S., but it has put us at much greater risk for negative outcomes. Evidence shows...
Letter to the editor: Make yourself heard in Freeport
It is that time of year when we vote for school directors, council members and mayor. Running for reelection on the school board in the Freeport Area School District are Adam M. Toncini, Greg Selinger and Michael J. Huth, all who voted yes to raise your taxes last year. After...
Peter Morici: Cracking down on banks now only makes them sitting ducks for next big hit
The drama surrounding Silicon Valley Bank, Republic Bank, PacWest Bancorp and other regional banks is provoking tough talk about implementing tighter banking regulations. Those could do more harm than good and won’t avert another crisis. Apparently both the White House and Federal Reserve want to reimpose on mid-sized banks stricter...
Letter to the editor: Yakopec should stay as judge
I am writing in support of Cheryl Peck Yakopec being reelected as district judge. She has been my judge for over 25 years, and I believe she should stay my judge. When my poodle was attacked by a neighbor’s pitbull, I had a hearing in front of Yakopec, and she...
Letter to the editor: Karaica has character needed to be judge
We have seen many opinions on the magisterial district judge race in District 05-3-03. My hope is that the public will be able to see beyond these personal perspectives and take note of the facts when voting for our next magistrate. The facts are that one does not need to...
Letter to the editor: Girardi best choice for judge
Michael Girardi is the clear choice for magisterial district judge for District Court 05-3-03. I first encountered Girardi through a Facebook ad. I posted a long list of questions, and to my surprise, he promptly and politely responded to all of them. His answers demonstrated a strong understanding of the...
Editorial: More musical chairs in Pennsylvania House special elections
When Pennsylvanians go to the polls Tuesday, for two regions, it won’t be just about nominating the people who will appear on the November ballot. In two areas on the eastern side of the state, the votes will have immediate impact. The state House of Representatives is facing its fourth...
Letter to the editor: An appeal to conservative voters in Norwin
Conservative voters of Norwin, we will be counting on you again. The conservative contingent of the school board has made progress in its first term. Ridding the district of CNN10, passing anti-CRT and anti-nepotism policies were great steps. But it was just short of a bloody battle, met with huge...
Letter to the editor: Fabian for commissioner
The May 16 Pennsylvania primary election for municipal, school board and county officials is most important because the decisions of local elected officials have a direct impact on the quality of our everyday life. As voters, we need to elect highly qualified candidates who will best serve the public in...
Rep. Tim O’Neal: When naysayers lead, Pennsylvania falls behind
In many ways, we live in a political world that operates more on denial than possibility, and to be honest, it’s killing democracy. Candidate quality has been replaced by ideological purity on both sides, while virtual cottage industries have sprung up around the idea of replacing the “loyal opposition” with...
David Arditi: The exploitation of Hollywood’s writers is just another symptom of digital feudalism
The current Hollywood writers strike has drawn international attention to the plight of TV and film writers in the streaming era. Much has been made of television’s golden age, during which streaming platforms have offered audiences an abundance of well-written, highly produced television shows, often called “prestige TV.” Whereas older...
Cal Thomas: Crowning Trump king
The crowning of Charles III as king of England and the shrinking realm of the United Kingdom was not the only coronation taking place in the world. Increasingly, evangelical Christians in the U.S. are treating Donald Trump as their king. While the scenarios are different, it reminds me of when...
Emily Miller: Another side to the school choice question
There is another side to the question of school choice. How does this fit in with our system of self-governance? How does this work with taxation and representation? Our system of self-governance, conceived by our Founding Fathers, is a constitutional republic in which, at each level — local, state and...
Letter to the editor: Bengel caring, compassionate
Judge Carolyn Bengel does more than hand down fair justice. She is a caring and compassionate member of the communities in which she serves. Over her many years in office, I’ve observed that she has always supported community volunteers, associations and first responders. She does this out of devotion and...
Letter to the editor: We’re fortunate to have Yakopec as judge
We are writing to show our support for District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec in her bid for reelection. We can write this letter because we no longer are employed by the county government and can now endorse a candidate. Yakopec is an extremely fair, understanding and compassionate judge — and...
Letter to the editor: Kertes, Chew should remain in office
In response to the letter “Don’t vote for incumbents” (April 23, TribLIVE) — don’t believe everything you read. The letter was full of incorrect information regarding ARPA and CARES act distributions. Not including the special earmark for Excela Hospital and the restaurant industry, the Westmoreland County commissioners spent a total...
Editorial: How to measure the gravity of a mass shooting
What is mass? It seems like a synonym for weight, but that isn’t quite right. Weight is how we measure the pressure that gravity exerts upon things. But mass? Mass is the actual presence of an item — its length and breadth and density. Mass has another meaning. It can...
Letter to the editor: Don’t vote for radical Franklin Regional board candidates
I appreciated the position statements of candidates for Franklin Regional School Board (“Candidates vie for 6 seats on Franklin Regional School Board,” May 3, TribLIVE). It is clear that residents should remove candidates Deb Bucciero and John Fallat from consideration. We do not need Buccerio’s moral arbitration, nor should we...
Letter to the editor: Zellers experienced, dedicated
Many know Leslie Uncapher Zellers as an attorney who was a prosecutor in Westmoreland County and who has worked for many of us in private practice. Those who know her dedication to families and children aren’t surprised by her dedication to serving the communities. She started the Officer Brian Shaw...
Tom Purcell: A good day to celebrate an extraordinary mother
She was only 18 when rheumatic fever damaged her heart. The doctors said she’d be lucky to live into her 40s — that she was no longer strong enough to bear children. Lucky for my five sisters and me, she ignored them! When we were babies in her womb, she...
Letter to the editor: Keep Bengel as district judge
I had the honor and pleasure of working with District Judge Carolyn Bengel during my tenure as ordinance enforcement officer for Harrison Township. I can unequivocally say she was solid, balanced and extremely knowledgeable. I see no valid reason to change direction after observing her serve so consistently with integrity...
Letter to the editor: Karaica would make outstanding district judge
I’ve known Mitchell Karaica professionally for 25 years. We both worked at Cheswick Power Station, where I watched his career progress from a laborer to a control room operator, from a union steward to senior business representative for IBEW 29. He was not only tasked with the operation of the...
Letter to the editor: Biden’s pride and destruction
Proverbs tells us that pride precedes the fall and a haughty spirit leads to destruction, but for Joe Biden, that seems to be plausibly deniable. Like the cartoon character Mr. Magoo, he leaves a path of destruction behind while he blindly fumbles through his daily duties as the most powerful...
Editorial: Pennsylvania has real role in regulating rail
A Pennsylvania legislative committee is in favor of expanding the state’s part in oversight of railroad safety. The House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee gave 19-2 approval to House Bill 1028. It would authorize the state to maintain a tighter grip on the way trains operate. This isn’t surprising...
Letter to the editor: Enough of the radical LGBT agenda
I believe the stated goal of the LGBT community is to be accepted and respected. But it is my observation that the radicals among them manifest themselves by crude, lewd and nude parades and public “pride” demonstrations, and by the confusing and abusing of children with vulgar drag queen shows....
