I took two of my grandsons to the Mount Davis lookout area in Somerset County recently. I was dismayed to find that the sign designating the turnoff had been blasted to an almost unreadable condition by shotgun pellets. My despair was compounded by the empty beer cans scattered about the path going to the tower, and the condition of the marker itself. Vandals had been hacking at the tip of the boulder that houses the small bronze disk indicating the highest point in Pennsylvania.

According to the informational plaques included in the monument, the highest point was only a few inches above other prominent rocks in the immediate area. With damage done to the original point, I am pretty sure that it is no longer accurate.

My grandsons and I cleaned up the garbage, but there is no way to artificially repair the boulder.

I read in the November issue of Pennsylvania Game News magazine that two men were prosecuted for violating the littering laws by photos obtained with a “photo bug” type of camera. These cameras take pictures of movements without anyone being in attendance. If the fines for vandalism and littering were high enough, access to this equipment in the fight against littering and vandalism would be feasible.

There used to be signs along every road stating that littering was against the law and posting the fines that would be levied.

Where did the signs go? Are littering laws no longer enforceable? A $1,000 fine for each violation seems good to me.

Ronald Coughenour

Hollsopple



Callihan perfect choice for office

Cambria County residents have something to cheer with the announcement that Kelly Callihan has been selected as Patrick Kiniry’s first assistant prosecutor and that she will become district attorney when Kiniry is sworn in as a county judge in January.

Having grown up with Callihan and her husband, Derrick, I know her to be of outstanding character and intelligence.

Whether it was academics or athletics, Callihan was always the epitome of dedication and effort.

I am confident she will make an outstanding district attorney. A quality prosecutor cannot only be concerned with wins and losses, but must exercise a profound sense of what best upholds justice on behalf of all people. Prosecutors must not only be knowledgeable and diligent to the law, but must also be able to apply a broad scope of concern, compassion, wisdom and fairness to every situation. Callihan is the perfect choice for this office as she exemplifies all of these qualities.

Callihan has already indicated that she will run for a full term as district attorney in 2011. I know she will receive my vote.

She is a definite asset to Cambria County, and we need her representing our interests for as long as she is willing to serve.

Eric Millinder

Johnstown



Imagine if you had to live outside

With the weather turning colder, we at Habitat for Hounds are very concerned about dogs being kept outside. We urge everyone to bring animals in during the winter, at least into a basement.

Put yourself in the animal’s place. Our winters can be brutal and many animals die or become frostbitten. Because of the economy, we are seeing more and more pets being given up or just dumped literally onto the streets.

We ask that if you no longer want your pet, please take it to a shelter or try to find a good home for the animal. Animals are a huge responsibility, and there is a great financial cost in owning one. We understand that in this economy many people have lost their jobs and need help. But we see many people who, for whatever reason, get animals and do not have the resources to take care of them.

Animals are living, breathing creatures, and they need care.

If you can’t afford one, please do not get one.

As usual, we will be providing straw and doghouses this winter. We ask the public to be patient with us. We are busier than we’ve ever been and have been totally overwhelmed in this economy.

Joni Weaver

Habitat for Hounds, Richland Township



Cottage, zoo are equally important

In response to Bridget (McDermott) Yahner’s letter (“Turn attention toward Fantasy Forest,” Nov. 7)”: Restoring Braemar Cottage is good; so is Forest Zoo.

Both are equally important in their own way. Let’s divide the money equally.

I have fond memories of my mom and dad taking my two brothers and me to Forest Zoo as kids. Our family even nicknamed a goat “Bucky.”

As I got older, we took my nephew and we road an elephant. We have family pictures from both occasions.

So, more power to both projects if they pan out.

Andrea Nosko

Johnstown



McCort follows PIAA rules

In response to a Nov. 11 letter (“McCort has unfair advantage in playoffs”): I find it irresponsible that someone would accuse Bishop McCort of recruiting athletes, and then never support the accusations with facts.

Secondly, the man apparently is upset, claiming that Bishop McCort has an unfair advantage as a result of our parochial sports leagues and our elementary school feeder system.

Finally, he suggests that we move our school’s football program back into double-A classification.

As chairman of this great Catholic high school, let me set the facts straight:

No. 1: We do not recruit athletes. We promote and market our private school to attract kids who want a faith-based and quality education. Bishop McCort does not identify athletes to bring to this school.

Neither I, nor our board of trustees, would condone such a practice. Students come because of our reputation as one of the best schools in western Pennsylvania.

No. 2: Unlike public schools, McCort receives no tax money from the boroughs, townships or city. It is certainly true that we have developed a rather impressive group of “feeder” parochial schools. They, too, are private and play an important role in preparing students for Bishop McCort academia and athletics.

No. 3: We follow state rules when it comes to school classification. We are single-A because we have 147 boys in the upper three grades. The PIAA Web site validates that double-A status begins with 196 boys enrolled in the upper three grades.

It’s time to stop bashing Bishop McCort because we have winning sports teams.

In the end, while our sports teams have recently experienced terrific seasons, everyone at Bishop McCort is far more focused on academically and spiritually preparing students for the next phase of their adult lives.

Dan L. Hummel

Chairman, board of trustees