— In listening to and reading the news regarding the ongoing controversy involving the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority, I am left with questions that I hope will some day be answered, including:

* Why did the authority’s board of directors not review the report by their outside audit firm in 2011 and immediately question or look into the comment regarding a known ongoing investigation?

* Why would the redevelopment authority board approve a 20 percent raise to $96,000 annual salary in December 2012 for a director who some members already knew was under scrutiny?

* When Conemaugh Health Systems leaders reportedly found out in 2007 about these payments (totaling more than $130,000), did they notify any legal authority? Was the city manager or mayor informed? How did Conemaugh find out? Did its internal auditors know about these transactions and, if so, were they disclosed in an audit? Was there any involvement with a Conemaugh employee(s)?

There are more questions I would like to ask if I had the space. I will leave that up to the media to explore. I have been pleased so far with its efforts to disclose the truth surrounding these improprieties.

The truth may end up involving more than just redevelopment authority employees. However, I am afraid that this may have been an attempt to cover up illegal activities that, if disclosed, would tarnish the image of the authority and Johnstown.

It’s time for the mayor and city council to explore how they can disband the authority and prevent any more wrongdoing from destroying any positive reputation Johnstown may have left.

Keith Santee

Westmont



Budget cuts harmful for kidney patients

Kidney disease hits one in 10 Americans – neighbors and loved ones – who, without dialysis or a kidney transplant, will not survive.

During March, which is National Kidney Month, let us consider the far-reaching effects of this disease and what we can do to protect this vulnerable patient population.

As a caregiver at DaVita’s PDI Johnstown, I care for 107 dialysis patients, more than 80 percent of whom depend on Medicare for this life-sustaining treatment.

As policymakers in Washington consider further budget cuts and prepare to enact a 2 percent “sequestration” cut, they, too, must consider the devastating impact these cuts will have on the care available to my vulnerable kidney failure patients.

The Medicare system is still adjusting to 2011, 2012 and 2013 changes and cuts and doesn’t cover the full cost of patients’ dialysis treatments. With additional cuts, I fear facilities in Johnstown could be forced to close their

doors, forcing patients to travel long distances to receive care, dialyze at a hospital emergency room, which costs the system more, or forego some necessary care altogether.

U.S. Rep. Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Sewickley) recently visited our dialysis facility to learn more about the vital services we provide. I appreciate his taking the time to learn about kidney disease and kidney failure and the effects additional cuts might have on our patients.

I encourage readers to contact Rothfus to urge him and his fellow lawmakers to protect our patients in Johnstown and Cambria County who rely on dialysis care.

Deborah Hubbard

Johnstown



There are more cuts than Rothfus stated

As I was reading the Feb. 27 paper, I came across an article by U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus urging President Obama and the Senate to work with the House to  take a scalpel to spending. Being a Democrat, I sort of agree with him.

But Rothfus didn’t go far enough. Our government should cut the money we give other countries by 25 percent. Just think of the billions of dollars we would save. If Congress wants to cut our benefits then it needs to do the same to other countries. Also, politicians must stop adding to the budget with their pork. How can you cut the budget if you’re going to add stuff for your state? What they need to do is cut their salaries by 25 percent.

I’m not one for the Bible, but like it says, “Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.”

When we start bringing our troops back home, instead of laying them off, put them and their equipment to use on our borders. That way, they still have jobs to support their families.

And I would like to say that in no way am I a fan of President Obama. I still think he is trying to bring down America. I’ll be glad when his term is over.

And I feel the same way about Speaker of the House John Boehner.

Homer Mattes

Johnstown



We stand at precipice of destruction

I’ve heard it said, “You can’t eat gold.” I’ve also heard it said, “America is free.”

I’ve seen children, our children, shoot with the intent to kill, and some have succeeded. We have taught them that Babylon is our enemy, when we, through our deeds, have become cheap and blind. With all due respect, we have failed to provide a home for the brave.

There is an echoing prayer for what we call peace and security as we stand poised for destruction. The time we perceive is short, infinitely short.

I don’t believe any of us are worthy of the land we walk on. For the pursuit of the valuable and desirable that our God runs through our fingers and spirit on earth.

Our jobs and sabbaths are routines that produce fruit, which is useless to body or spirit.

I suggest  we consider one another the only blessings left and allow God to let us see again.

There is someone in a garden, lonely and in pain, while his friends sleep. He understands. We do not. We are responsible for this child.

Stephen Jendricks

Johnstown

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