A mystery seems to remain about the sudden demise of our Menoher Heights Volunteer Fire Department and related ambulance service.

This is a tragic loss to our community.

I recently was told by one firefighter that only 40 percent of our residents responded to the department’s annual appeal. Has this contributed to the situation?

Why, pray tell, when their service has been such a necessary part of the security of the area, would 60 percent of our residents ignore their appeal? In addition, why would this information not have been shared?

The people who ignored their plea for support surely still would have expected a response if they had need of an ambulance or had a fire in their home.

All this being said, why were there no fundraisers, or efforts to let people know about the financial situation?

I remember chicken barbecues and dinners which were very well attended.

Where are the civic leaders, and what has happened to the community spirit that was once such a part of Menoher Heights?

Is it too late to pick up the pieces?

There are a lot of questions, and I am hopeful that someone soon will do something to revive what was once an important part of our community.

Phyllis Melker

Upper Yoder Township



President’s policies killing us as a nation

It’s pathetic to see how the policies of the Obama administration are being debated.

If one believes the administration is trying to fix things, one can argue whether these policies will work or not, or are stupid or not. But put in the proper perspective, these policies make perfect sense – that perspective being a purposeful destruction of our republic and its capitalistic, free-enterprise system.

Obama’s charm has disarmed the “useful idiots” who worshipfully follow and defend the president, and ultimately, these same followers, such as the media, will be discarded by Obama when they are no longer useful.

This is the pattern with all totalitarian regimes, and you are blind if you cannot see this as their goal.

The TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funds and bailouts have not created jobs or fixed the financial system. Mostly, they have procured government control over private enterprise or paid off political debts to Democrat supporters, such as the Service Employees International Union and ACORN and those “on the dole.”

Health-care and cap-and-trade legislation will finish us off.

Anyone in his right mind knows that government involvement in anything brings bankruptcy and fraud, never improvement.

Please open your eyes, you who are Americans. Forget Republican or Democrat. Something is wrong with an administration that hesitates when it comes to winning the war against terrorism, yet runs full bore ahead with policies that are killing us as a nation.

Do you believe in the Constitution and the principles that made this nation great?

This administration doesn’t.

Barry Billings

Portage



Will you fight back or bow to D.C. lies?

What is happening to our country?

Are we living in the land of Oz? Or is it just a nightmare?

After only 11 months of Barack Obama, our country is being torn apart.

We have a president who can’t make decisions on supporting our men and women in arms, who has almost 40 Marxist-leaning Czars, and is pushing massive, trillions-of-dollar health-care and cap-and-trade bills that will destroy this country.

Also, our leadership in Congress is like a herd of lemmings rushing us off a cliff we’ll never recover from.

What happened to our U.S. Constitution?

Is this still America, the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Or are we headed for Big Brother government, run by a few liberal elitists, to become a nation of tax slaves with a fear of free speech?

I for one stand up for freedom. Will you join me and the millions of others who still love and believe in our America?

Or will you bow to the lies in Washington?

James H. Hillegas

Wilmington, Del., formerly of Johnstown



Hospice home workers provide care, support

November is National Home Health Care Month and I want to use the designation as an opportunity to thank the area’s “angels” employed in giving hospice care, and to let everyone know what wonderful people are available to you.

It has been a very difficult year, as my mom needed care, and so did my husband.

Without mom’s nurses, aides and Pastor Dan coming into our home and providing her with constant care and comfort, I would not have been able to keep her at home while I was caring for my husband.

Her “angels” are available 24/7 if I need them.

They also brought comfort to my husband, especially Pastor Dan during his visits.

I would recommend them to anyone who wants a loved one to remain at home during an illness.

They provide priority care and emotional support.

I thank them and appreciate them daily.

Linda Miller

East Taylor Township