I read the letter concerning the Menoher Heights Volunteer Fire Company (“Burning questions in fire company closure,” Nov. 22) and I feel sorry for the community. But, then, maybe I shouldn’t feel sorry for people who didn’t care enough to help. People don’t realize a good thing when they have it.

We have the same problem in my community, but we’re fortunate to have a few good people trying to keep our fire company going. As volunteers, we still have our ambulance (which many don’t), but that issue is up in the air right now. We have a good fire truck, but we need people to respond when the siren sounds. Too many people take for granted that when they need an ambulance or fire truck, it will be there. It won’t be if there’s no help.

We’ve asked people who live here, but many don’t care or aren’t willing to help. Their excuse: “I’m too busy.”

They don’t even support our activities, our fundraisers, or even send a small yearly donation to maintain our equipment.

So what do we do?

Just try to hang on the best way we can until the lights go out. And when it’s gone, it’s gone.

I salute the few people we have who show up when the siren blows, no matter the hour, to help others. If people aren’t willing to help their neighbors, Lord help us.

And who are our neighbors? Most of us don’t even know.

Doris E. Shaffer

Riverside



Tax exemption dragging down city

There is a very simple solution to ending the city of Johnstown’s financial problems.

The biggest problem is that 50 percent of the properties in the city are tax-exempt.

Many owners of those properties are called nonprofit, but many of those agencies are for-profit businesses.

According to taxexemptworld.com, there are 932 tax-exempt organizations in Cambria County, with more than $1 billion in assets. Some are small churches and organizations that actually help people. However, there are a few large organizations – including some churches, some agencies that help people and profit – that could pay.

There are nonprofit agencies that lease space in their buildings and still pay no taxes. Some organizations pay CEOs up to at least 10 times the average state income, plus unbelievable benefits. If these organizations would pay even a fraction of what they should pay in taxes, the city and every county resident would benefit.

Someone is paying money to the so-called recovery team to say the same thing for 18 years – the tax base is eroding; cut more staff and benefits.

Asset Management Inc., a nonprofit from Luzerne County, gives the city a check for $668,000 to buy delinquent taxes. If they gave the city this much money upfront, how much is owed?

On top of all this, there are properties that pay nowhere near what they should be paying in taxes.

Patrick G. Lape

Johnstown



Many reasons why Steelers are struggling

The Pittsburgh Steelers football team is not winning regularly because:

n No new plays, no run blocking, no reverses, no draws, no imagination and no flare passes.

n No deep passes, no picks, no flea-flickers, no blocking to allow passes, no passes by running backs.

n No intensity, no leadership, no dedication, same old defense (no three man, no five man, no six man), same old offense (no fullback, no sweeps with linemen).

n Points: Eagles 38, N.Y. Giants 31 in three quarters, 40 plus for Baltimore. Is anyone watching their games?

n Substitution required for tired players and tired coaches who were good before.

Richard L. Merrill

Ligonier



Incarcerate terrorists in frigid Alaska

If I understand correctly, the powers that be in Washington, D.C., intend to incarcerate suspected terrorists from Gitmo into a federal maximum security facility in Illinois.

Are they so shortsighted they can’t see the danger involved in such a move? Illinois has Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, one of the biggest and busiest air hubs in the country, and innumerable interstate highways going in all directions.

If a few inmates escaped, they could get to any location in this country or the world, where they could continue their terrorist activities.

Instead of Illinois, ship them to Alaska.

At least if they escape there they’d have no idea which way to go, nor could they withstand the severe weather compared with their homelands.

I’m all in favor of their human rights being observed, but their rights end where mine begin.

And thank you so much, Nancy Pelosi, and the legislators in Washington, D.C., for supporting such a “hair-brained” idea.

Anne Saylor

Central City



Grateful to all who helped after fire

My parents and family suffered a house fire Thanksgiving weekend. The damage was extensive.

Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers were there immediately to assist in whatever ways possible. This wonderful group of people brought food, clothing, furniture, money, their time and hard work to help ease the loss. They took time away from their families to help ours.

We are very grateful to them.

There is also a gentleman who presented my aunt with a gift of money to help us out. His name we do not know; he wished to remain anonymous. To him, we say thank you very much and Merry Christmas. Your unselfish act will never be forgotten.

No words could ever describe how grateful we are to all these wonderful people. Just remember, no matter what happens or how bad things get, there are angels out there watching over each of us.

Thank you all.

Roxanne Altemus

Johnstown