JOHNSTOWN — The closing of SCI-Cresson is a tragedy for the employees and the taxpayers of both Cambria County and Pennsylvania.

For some reason – probably political – the state loves to spin everything to Centre County, where unemployment is already the lowest in the state.

The Department of Corrections contends the closings of SCI-Cresson and SCI-Greensburg are due to their ages.

This is malarkey. What about SCI-Huntingdon (built in 1889), SCI-Rockview and SCI-Graterford? All were established before SCI-Cresson.

Before SCI-Cresson opened in January 1987, the state removed many of the old buildings used when it was a hospital and replaced them with new cell blocks, a gatehouse/visiting room complex and a gymnasium. A few of the existing buildings were retrofitted for inmate housing.

Since 2000, DOC has invested several million dollars there for a new inmate dining room/food service unit, a new cell block and upgrades to security and detection systems. Why would the state spend $200 million to build a new prison, leaving two existing prisons empty, to save $23 million in fiscal 2013-14?

Isn’t it fantastic that our state and federal governments are always looking at efficient ways to save our tax dollars?

Local representatives need to stop this.

Prisons usually are filled to capacity, resulting in dangerous environments for  staffs and inmates. Closing one, let alone two, should not be an option. A law-abiding society will always need that extra cell space because at any given time there are more criminals on our streets and in our neighborhoods than behind bars.

James Adams

Ebensburg

Retired SCI-Cresson employee



Flag code specifies ‘properly illuminated’

In response to the gentleman who said a light bulb or a streetlight 30 or 40 feet away does not constitute illumining the U.S. flag (Jan. 13):

The flag code states the flag can be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during hours of darkness. There is no additional guidance on what “properly illuminated” means.

The American Legion defines proper illumination as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag, or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.

So if the flag can be seen as such by a light bulb or streetlight, according to the flag code, it is “properly illuminated.”

I served in the military and have flown a flag 24 hours a day. It is illuminated by a streetlight one house away – and you can tell the flag is there.

According to the flag code, it is “properly illuminated.”

Alan Pettitt

Jenners



Obamacare threatens medical research

Hang on. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

If you think Obamacare is the answer to our medical concerns, you need to be better informed.

Here is just one aspect the government has put into effect: A 2.3 percent excise tax on sales – not profits – of life-saving devices. Many people in the medical sector are worried this will stifle innovations.

Now a medical company has to turn over $2,300 for every $100,000 in sales. The tax puts a heavy burden on companies already struggling with governmental regulations. Medical research is being threatened.

The tax will raise $29 billion over 10 years.

This is only one tax that threatens the medical industry, and it likely will result in higher taxes for consumers.

Also under Obamacare, new reporting requirements and regulations imposed on physicians will make access to health care and services more costly and difficult for seniors.

There are many hidden taxes in this bill. This is going to be a big surprise for those who don’t check the facts.

Free is never free.

Someone has to pay that cost, and it’s the taxpaying citizens.

Joseph T. Torchia Sr.

Daytona Beach, Fla., and Johnstown



Westmont landlord fee unreasonable

Among the many holiday greetings we received in the mail was our second annual Westmont Borough $50 landlord registration fee. This now is a total of $100 to register our apartment for 2012 and 2013.

Prior to that, there was no charge.

Anyone with any business background should know that this cost is unreasonable to mail, receive and file a single sheet of paper. This is without question a tax on landlords.

In addition, we had our inspection in February, and with the exception of a few minor items, we passed with flying colors.

The inspector was very thorough, carefully checking each room and then the basement. He spent a total of 11 minutes (I timed him) in our building and the total cost was $125.

Add both of the above costs together and Westmont Borough has taken in approximately $78,750 for the approximately 350 rental units in the borough.

My question is, how long can a small business absorb these costs?

This matter is being pursued through the legal system, and hopefully the judges involved will bring some sanity to borough council.

Tom Wiegman

Johnstown

 

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