— I have received word that my faithful friend of 49 years will be discontinued as of Aug. 30.

Lyn Meek, director of Cambria County Library, sent a memo delivered by Ron, my bookmobile driver, friend, information director and events director. My heart sank when I read this memo.

The memo read, in part, “Many of you may have childhood memories of the bookmobile; others are new to the service.” 

Yes, I have childhood memories. Every two weeks, the bookmobile would come to the now-vacant Mine 42 School, where my teacher, Betty Jane Blackburn, would take the class to the bookmobile. That’s where I developed my love of reading.

Thank you for 49 years of wonderful enjoyment. But sadly, I will not be using the service of the Cambria County Library. You took my dear friend away from me and the many young people who will never have the opportunity to visit a library.

A child needs to have this opportunity to develop a love of reading early on before the electronic devices take them over.

The bookmobile coming to daycares, the Head Start schools and churches gave a child a chance to read.

I wish Ms. Meek would rethink this decision.

Cheryl Macy

Salix



Editor’s note: We asked Lyn Meek for response, which follows:



Declining usage parks bookmobile

In response to Cheryl Macy’s letter, it is satisfying to know that the bookmobile provided a good experience and pleasant memories for its users.

The support and loyalty of our patrons have been greatly appreciated and was acknowledged in my announcement to them.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the number of users has greatly lessened.

As the reader mentions, her experience began nearly five decades ago. There were far fewer public libraries at that time, making the bookmobile a more important service for residents. There are now

14 public libraries in Cambria County, making access to library services more convenient. 

Hundreds of children involved in reading programs at their library spent time this summer reading or being read to. Fortunately, no matter the format – print or electronic – adults and children are still developing that love of reading.

Decisions such as this are never easy and this one was not made lightly.

We are fortunate to have a county that supports libraries and that people of all ages are making valuable use of their materials and services.

I hope our bookmobile users will join them.

Lyn Meek

Director, Cambria County Library System



Cemetery association must tread cautiously

It may be quite ingenious and noble, all the projects slated for Sandyvale Cemetery. However, it will be most important that those who are transforming a sacred cemetery into a walking park, greenhouse, dog park, museum, sculpture home, etc., consider descendants and progeny being able to locate plots in which their ancestors are buried.

How much effort is being put forth into securing and keeping safe records in an accessible place for future generations?

This should be first and foremost.

Cemetery association members need to be reminded that the acreage is still hallowed grounds and they should be cautious about its use.

Jean Brehm

Euclid, Ohio, formerly of Johnstown



Red-light cameras funded by scofflaws

Contrary to a recent editorial, “Flashing yellow on red-light cameras,” published Aug. 13, there is no financial risk to municipalities seeking ways to protect law-abiding citizens from reckless drivers. Red-light camera programs are driven by safety, not money.

Pennsylvania has two levels of protection for local governments and taxpayers to ensure red-light camera programs are completely violator funded.

First, the state’s law allows local governments to recoup operating costs for red-light programs. Once the costs are paid, any remaining revenue is sent to PennDOT for distribution among communities statewide. The money does not stay locally, so it’s incorrect to suggest red-light cameras are a revenue scheme for needy towns.

Second, red-light camera contracts are designed so that if the revenue generated does not equal operational costs, the municipality pays only what the camera generated. These provisions ensure that Pennsylvania’s red-light cameras are 100 percent violator funded and that vendors, not taxpayers, assume the risk.

There are no up-front costs to deploying red-light safety cameras. All pre-construction, construction, maintenance, training and processing costs are included in the monthly per-camera fee.

Running a red light is against the law and endangers drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Johnstown was included in earlier versions of legislation expanding Pennsylvania’s red-light program, but excluded in the final law. That’s too bad. More than 550 cities in the United States use red-light cameras for a good reason. The devices change dangerous driver behavior, reduce serious accidents and save lives.

Charles Territo

Vice President of Communications, American Traffic Solutions

Kurt Knaus

Managing director, Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy, Harrisburg

 

Allow more citizens to aid police

Regarding the Aug. 9 article concerning the Salix man who was stealing items from unlocked cars and stopped by a concerned citizen who pointed a .45-caliber handgun at him. I don’t think this citizen should have any charges filed against him.

The police can’t keep up with all the crime in this area. Maybe incidents such as this would make the next would-be thief think about it first.

I’m sure this young man had an accident in his pants when a .45-caliber handgun was pointed at him.

Kevin N. Spadone

Windber



Lock and chain or net cheap fixes for rink

It’s going to cost an ungodly amount of money to move/reconstruct the Roxbury Park roller hockey rink because of flying pucks hitting the summer concertgoers at the bandshell.

How about this: Invest in a lock and chain. Close the rink from 5 to 7 p.m. during the Sunday concerts. Or invest in some netting for above the boards. Problem fixed.

Something doesn’t sound right here.

Does this situation seem ridiculous to anyone else?

Matt Martinek

Johnstown



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