— The editorial cartoon on June 21, in an attempt by the cartoonist at an anti-Obama statement, is a drawing of President Obama, Vladimir Putin, a generic Chinese leader and a generic Middle Eastern leader reading a dictionary.

They are reading the definition of a new verb the cartoonist has invented: “to Sandusky (verb): to stand by and do nothing when children are being harmed. Example, the world sanduskied when Syria butchered its children.”

This is so incredibly wrong, wrong-minded, misinformed and ill conceived, I cannot believe The Tribune-Democrat published it.

Was it read before it was printed? Has the Tribune been paying attention at all to the articles printed in its own newspaper?

Sandusky is not accused of “standing by and watching” while someone else abused children. He was not on trial for “standing by and watching.” It is irresponsible of the Tribune to publish a cartoon indicating that he was.

The Tribune-Democrat has a responsibility to its readers to refuse to print such ridiculous misinformation, even if it is in the form of an editorial cartoon.

K.S. Hood

Indiana



Missed opportunity for city’s mayor

The Pennsylvania League of Cities held its 113th annual convention in Pittsburgh from June 19-22.

On June 21, PCN televised one of the events of the convention, a mayors’ roundtable, which included mayors from across the state, including Altoona’s vice mayor Erik Cable, who also serves as a member of Altoona City Council.

The discussion was extremely informative as the mayors attending shared concerns and issues facing their respective municipalities. Subjects were collective bargaining issues, tax bases, Act 47 distressed issues and employee pension obligations.

The mayors discussed ideas for reaching out to Harrisburg in a possible collaborative effort of local elected officials, local chamber of commerces and the Pennsylvania League of Cities in seeking legislation to provide municipalities with local options in the governance. As an example, taxation options that might not be a “one size fits all” as is currently per state statues for respective cities, boroughs and township codes and/or home rule.

What was unfortunate was the apparent absence of Johnstown’s mayor at the convention. Johnstown is a dues-paying member of the Pennsylvania League of Cities and the organization provides a wide range of assistance to all participating municipalities, if and when requested.

This mayors’ roundtable was a missed opportunity to speak, listen and learn with other elected mayors who chose to attend.

This was a session that was intended for direct involvement of elected mayors, and not for city managers.

Jack Williams

Former Johnstown councilman



Tell lawmakers to restore funding

Hats off to the state Senate for addressing the school-funding crisis. Now it is up to the state representatives to tell the governor enough is enough.

Gov. Tom Corbett’s latest budget again cuts funding to public education. These cuts will again result in class-size increases and cuts in student programs.

The Berlin Brothersvalley Education Association agreed to a salary wage freeze for 2012-13. This freeze will help the district balance its budget.

It is not a fix-all, however. Public school funding must be restored. Our elected officials must make our children their top priority.

All public education advocates must work together to help public schools maintain quality programs so students can achieve.

Recently, U.S. News and World Report recognized Berlin Brothersvalley High School with a bronze medal for its academic achievements.

If Corbett’s proposed education budget is approved without changes, Berlin Brothersvalley will have lost more than half a million dollars in state funding since 2010.

The state cannot shift the cost of public education to local taxpayers. Our elected officials and governor must be held accountable. State surplus money and eliminating corporate tax loopholes can restore funding for public schools.

The state Senate has proposed a budget to restore an additional $50 million to the accounting block grant program, a move that would help pay for early childhood education.

Please contract your state representative and ask him to make your children his top priority and restore funding for public education.

Debbie Orendorf

Vice president, Berlin Brothersvalley Education Association



Questions about electric cars

Electric cars may be great, but no one talks about the electric bills. Will we have brownouts because power plants will  not be able to produce electricity?

Will this be a real problem, and how about the car owner’s electric bills? Electricity isn’t free.

Will all mechanics be able to work on the various systems?

Is there a better solution to the fuel problem? Who knows?

Joe Morris

Ebensburg

 

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