Sen. Barack Obama’s life and well-organized presidential campaign have unraveled into an untraditional Horatio Alger story.

About 100 years ago, Alger authored stories about young boys who amassed fame and fortune through hard work and an earnest attitude. This was the American dream for most, but the American nightmare for minorities.

To the contrary, 100 years ago, the African-American dream was to live in peace without being tortured.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded to challenge the evil deeds in society targeting people of color. It organized sit-ins, riots and boycotts. With the civil rights movement, we now have an American of color to rise above bigotry and racism to present a platform, an American platform which earned the respect of the majority of Americans.

In 2009, the NAACP’s national convention will celebrate 100 years of progress in its birthplace, New York City. President-elect Obama has emerged as the culmination of the progress that the organization has made.

On Election Day, as the polls closed, many local and national members watched in great anticipation and then expressed tears of joy at the outcome.

Obama will be a president who represents all cultures and people. In this time of much-needed change, hopefully he is the change agent to a better economy and improved race relations.

On Election Day, U.S. citizens made a statement to the world that we have accepted the diversity of our citizens to transcend race to elect a president to bring change to a troubled global world.

Clea P. Hollis

President

Johnstown Unit – NAACP



Employee layoffs won’t happen in city

The Tribune-Democrat on Nov. 7 reported that city of Johnstown leaders said they were thinking of laying off 14 employees.

First of all, the city fathers should start getting rid of all the pork they have – all the jobs that are farmed out, which cost plenty.

They say city employees have too much work to do and that’s why they farm out some jobs to private parties.

Yet, almost every Tuesday at about 8:30 to 9 a.m., a few employees go to the Westmont Eat’n Park Restaurant to get a special breakfast, when they should be working in the city. I called (City Manager Curt) Davis about this.

As for the city fathers laying off 14 em-ployees, you can bet dollars to doughnuts it will never happen. The employees are protected by two city councilmen who will never let it happen.

If the city goes through with the layoffs of 14 hourly workers, I personally will give $50 to The Tribune-Democrat’s favorite charity.

I know it will never happen.

Also, let’s get rid of all the overtime at the fire and police departments. I know it’s not necessary. It costs thousands of dollars.

Joe Gallo

Former city councilman

Johntown



Rigby-Barbin race breath of fresh air

Thank you so much, Jim Rigby and Bryan Barbin, for running such clean campaigns (71st state House District). I am so impressed. I wish I could have voted for both of you.

It is so unusual to hear and see what each candidate would do if elected, instead of all the negative ads that we experienced this election year.

As a senior citizen who has been voting since before either of you were born, I am much more interested in what our elected officials will do for their constituents, than what faults they can dig up about their opponents.

I applaud you two gentlemen for the fine campaigns that you ran. I only wish others would follow in your footsteps.

The mud-slinging, half-truths and taking comments out of context do not serve our American political process well, and only serve to lower my opinion of the candidates who choose to engage in such practices.

Linda Rice

Johnstown