— On Jan. 8, breaking news disrupted evening meals and community-affected families. That breaking news sent a shock wave through SCI-Cresson and SCI-Greensburg. Only because of the dedication, training and professionalism of the staffs, no incidents of uprising or violence were reported. Whoever felt the need to provide a minute bit of information to media sources did the employees and those incarcerated no favors.

I hope that the party was unaware that the next day the secretary of corrections, a cabinet member, would make the formal announcement.

I believe the superintendents and staff at their respective facilities may have been best able to determine if security measures needed to be enhanced during this time.

Stability, safety and security are paramount at every correctional institution. These elements are obtained by a diverse group of men and women from various backgrounds, who provide around-the- clock care, custody and control of those  deemed to be incarcerated by the courts for crimes committed against society.

I am one of those people who has enjoyed employment in the Department of Corrections. I am unable to retire and am burdened with future decisions. I am not alone with that issue, nor am I alone in my commitment – like many of my colleagues – that I will continue the transition of these facilities, closure and will maintain order doing so, no matter how long it may take.

Bravo to those on duty that night. You are professionals. You did not compromise operations at your facilities under a shock wave unleashed by someone who pretended to have a news story that was incomplete.

Shame on him or her.

Patrick O’Malley

Labor foreman, SCI-Cresson



Event on Constitution was a great success

As the 9th Congressional District coordinator for the We the People program, I was responsible for organizing a regional showcase on the Constitution at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on Jan. 8.

Students from local schools demonstrated their knowledge of our Constitution through simulated congressional hearings.

The judges for this event were Dennis Afton, educator; G. Henry Cook, president of Somerset Trust Co.; Shelby Baird, Yale University; Judy Ellich, reporter; Larry Feldman, professor at IUP; George Kaufman, lawyer and past president of the Somerset Historical Society; Pamela Tokar-Ickes, Somerset County commissioner; Joseph Kashurba, president of Kashurba Web Designs Group; Alex Kashurba, University of Michigan Law School; Matthew G. Melvin, lawyer; Ross Nycum, Penn State; Mark Previte, professor at UPJ; Marty Radovanic, WJAC-TV news anchor; Gordon D. Reynolds, lawyer; Jozzie Stuchell, Penn State; and David Trevaskis, Pennsylvania Bar Association.

I would like to thank each of these individuals, the Somerset County Bar Association and everyone else who helped make this event a success.

I would like to congratulate the school districts that competed. The students did a great job.

The teachers, Chris Zanoni at Somerset Area High School and Chris Peters at Marion Center Area High School, deserve much of the credit.

Hopefully, this event will assist them in competing for the statewide championship in February. It is vital for a republic that all schools continue to maintain and promote strong civic education programs.

William M. Simmons

Somerset



Shame on Rothfus for Sandy aid vote

In 1977, two weeks before I left for my freshman year at the University of Notre Dame, Johnstown was stricken by a flood that devastated the downtown and other areas.

I spent a week shoveling mud out of our family business’ headquarters. Of course, none of my family lost their lives in this disaster, like the unfortunate 80 souls who perished.

Our congressman at the time, Jack Murtha, quickly was able to obtain federal aid for the many businesses and families that were ravaged by this flood. The attention of national media also brought in a large amount of private aid.

I was shocked to see that my current congressman, Keith Rothfus, has voted against Superstorm Sandy relief. This was a vote against the history and traditions of our district. When disaster strikes, victims need immediate help.

Rothfus’ vote raises two questions:

* If a disaster should strike my congressional district, will Rothfus stand with us or will he vote with the Beltway interest groups that bought him his seat in Congress? Imagine being a trapped Quecreek miner. Do you want immediate rescue out of your living hell? Or do you want to wait to be saved until Rothfus and his friends figure out how to pay the bills?

* What did Rothfus learn in his tenure doing Hurricane Katrina relief in the Bush administration? The people of my hometown and region stand with the victims of disasters, because we have overcome some ourselves. Sandy victims, we stand by you.

Shame on Rothfus.

Mark E. Pasquerilla

Johnstown

 

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