I was informed on Monday that, by a 5-4 vote, the city council meeting scheduled for Wednesday had been canceled due to anticipated weather conditions.

The next meeting will be held Feb. 24.

Give me a break. The city is on the brink and there are so many things that need attention sooner rather than later. There is a sense of urgency.

Apparently, certain council members are going back on their statements of “whatever it takes,” made only a few weeks ago. In this case, “whatever it takes” is trudging through some snow to get the city moving ahead. Some passion and dedication.

Several of us are already downtown due to work anyway, and the rest are just a short drive – on the level – away from downtown. There are pressing matters that need our immediate attention and action now. However, comments were made that there was nothing pressing that couldn’t wait until Feb. 24.

Nothing pressing? Everything is pressing.

Gee, here’s a thought: Maybe if city council members get to work getting the city back on track, we can bring back the furloughed public works employees, who can plow the streets and who can make it possible for certain people not to be fearful in their commute to get to meetings, to solve the problems that they signed up for and took an oath to do.

I, as one of the four willing to meet and get things done, am totally disgusted with the apathetic cloud that is looming over a wimpy council.

Marie A. Mock

Councilwoman, city of Johnstown



Township dog owner shirking responsibility

It is a beautiful winter afternoon, and my 4-year-old son and I decided to take our family dog for a walk.

Living in Cambria Township, I put my dog on her leash, as required by the law.

I also put two bags in my pocket to pick up any droppings, as per the law.

Walking through our small community, in which I have lived for 18 years, we enjoy the sunshine.

Then, as we pass a home, we see a small dog inside a fenced-in yard. The dog ran along the fence, following us until there was no more fence.

A large section of the fence was missing, and the dog came after us.

Granted, the dog seemed friendly, but it jumped on my son, and would not leave my dog alone.

After a few minutes, the owner came for his dog.

I asked the young man if he knew that there was a leash law, and that he could receive a fine for the incident.

He replied that most people are nice enough not to call the cops.

Now wait a minute, shouldn’t most people be nice enough to follow the law?

Owning a dog is just like having children – you are supposed to be responsible.

I wonder if he allows his children to walk away with strangers, as his dog did.

Christina Evans

Revloc



Good Samaritans came to couple’s aid

My family and I would like to thank the couple who came to our assistance after an accident on New Year’s Eve.

After attending the Johnstown Chiefs hockey game, my husband and I were walking to our car.

We both slipped on “black” ice and fell.

I broke an arm. Thankfully, my husband was not hurt.

I do not know the names of the couple who helped us get up, wrapped my arm, and got me into the car, but I can’t thank them enough for all they did.

Rose E. Harford

Johnstown



Hosting 9/11 trials a great opportunity

Fear.

Fear paralyzes our great area.

The chance to host the 9/11 trials is a great opportunity for Johnstown: An estimated $200 million for security, the eyes of the world upon us, and the increased business for locals are too great to allow us to pass it up.

Any politician who opposes should find the courage to do what is best for our area.

It is high time for Americans to shed the fear that had been rammed down our throats during the Bush and Cheney regime.

We, as Americans, have never had the spirit of fear upon us.

Dig deep, find the strength of our forefathers and “man-up.”

Brian S. Betts

Johnstown



It’s everybody’s job to help fix America

President Obama inherited the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression.

How about giving him the chance to help fix America’s problems?

I’m pretty sure the president has very little to do with gas prices. He could probably freeze the prices, but that really won’t help.

We need more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. We don’t need automobiles that have very expensive batteries that cause more pollution when they don’t work anymore and are hard to recycle.

Locomotives have been running on diesel-electric motors for years. We need to find a motive source that’s efficient and nonpolluting.

Bio-diesel can be made and electric drives are recyclable.

Rapid rail systems (not necessarily extreme speed) could transport lots of people quickly. Goods move more efficiently over rails than one truckload at a time.

Making rails – railroad equipment and right-of-ways – would create lots of jobs. Jobs here in America, not other parts of the world.

Instead of wasting your time and energy complaining, why don’t you think up ways to help all of America?

Then call or write to your congressmen and women and make your suggestions heard. They are the driving force of legislation; they write the laws.

The president only signs the bills.

Mike Kirchner

Summerhill