Laurels and barbs

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March 19, 2010

Anonymous The Tribune-Democrat Fri Mar 19, 2010, 08:30 AM EDT

Laurel: District Attorney Kelly Callihan had quite a debut in her first news conference since becoming Cambria County’s top law-enforcement officer. Callihan and her staff last week announced the arrests of three Johnstown family members suspected in a large drug-trafficking operation. “This organization was dealing $25,000 a week in heroin, beginning in late September or early October,” Callihan said. The three were arrested by the Cambria County Drug Task Force, which was able to infiltrate the ring by using undercover officers and informants, she added. It was nice police work through a cooperative effort.

Barb: Although we have a lot of agencies focusing their and our attention on domestic violence and its causes and warning signs, we can’t help but think we as a society still are losing the battle. Too common on our news pages are the horrific stories of spousal and child beatings at the hands of another family member. Just last week we reported a case in which a former Middle Taylor Township man was convicted of physically abusing his wife and of shaking and beating his infant son so severely that the child has permanent brain damage. How terrible. John Nerone, 23, was convicted and now awaits a sentence that could lead to at last 10 years in prison. For the abused wife and her family, there was a sense of “relief,” and not much more. Are we all as family members, neighbors and agency workers doing enough to curtail these violent occurrences? It doesn’t seem like it.

Laurel: Here’s another feather in the cap for the ever-active, do-good Greater Johnstown High School Key Club. The club is putting the final touches on its Empty Bowl dinner to be held May 5 at the Heritage Discovery Center. The concept is to raise awareness of problems facing our community, including hunger and homelessness. The simple dinner will consist of soup and bread and be served in clay bowls created by district art students. There will also be entertainment. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults and $100 for tables of eight. All proceeds will go to the Women’s Help Center, the Salvation Army and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. What a wonderful project.

Barb: This one is for you smokers. We’ve always defended your right to light up as long as your smoke doesn’t offend others or put the health of others at risk. However, those of you who discard your butts anywhere you please and without thinking of the consequences are just plain wrong. Hundreds of butts – at least – surfaced when the snow melted recently on Locust Street between Franklin Street and Gazebo Park. What a disgusting site. Did the offenders believe their discarded product would simply vanish? Come on. We can all do better for our environment.

Laurel: Congratulations on a well-deserved honor for one of the remaining heroes from “our greatest generation.” Andrew Balaschak, 87, of Johnstown has been honored 45 years after the fact for helping push Nazi Germany forces out of France. In a ceremony recently at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., he was named a Chevalier, or knight, of the Legion of Honor. It is France’s highest civilian award and similar to the U.S. Medal of Honor. Balaschak’s medal said it was “a sign of France’s true and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation for your personal, precious contribution to the United States’ decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II.” May we in the United States never forget either.

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