Local News
From supporters and critics, Murtha won respect
In 2008, when Richland Township resident Bryce Troyan had a chance to talk to U.S. Rep. John Murtha, he asked if if the longtime congressman had aspirations for the White House.
“With all of his experience, I wondered if he would consider running for president,” said Troyan, a political science student at UPJ.
“He told me, ‘The great thing about this county is decisions are made from the ground up and I am thrilled to serve in Congress.’”
Troyan, 23, was one of a number of people willing to stop and talk about Murtha, discussing what the congressman had done for the region and his legacy as they shopped at The Galleria on Monday evening.
“It’s going to be hard to get a young congressman who can fill his shoes,” Troyan said. “I think he really tried to create jobs.”
Jack and Stacey Wilt of Windber said they especially liked Murtha’s willingness to speak his beliefs and not back down when criticized.
“We think John Murtha did a lot for our area,” Stacey Wilt said.
“We’re really going to miss him,” said Jack Wilt. “He didn’t mind telling it like it was.”
Don Kibbe of Seward said he was not a big Murtha fan, especially after he made controversial remarks about American Marines serving in Iraq.
“That upset me, but I’m sorry to see him go,” Kibbe said.
Tim Shawley of Benshoff Hill said he was a strong Murtha supporter because the congressman did a lot for average people.
“He was a good man,” Shawley said.
Paul Yatsky, of South Fork said all one has to do is look around and the impact Murtha had on the region is evident.
“We have the brain injury center at the Hiram G. Andrews Center, we have the breast cancer center in Windber,” Yatsky said. “If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have that stuff here. We’d have to go someplace else.”
While Murtha looked out for his
12th Congressional District, much of what he did, especially for veterans, benefited others nationwide, Yatsky said.
“Jack was a good guy,” he said. “I’m an ex-military man and I have nothing but good to say about him.”
Leonard Martin of Blough is concerned about the future of the region which has already lost coal mines and steel mills.
“I think this area will suffer. He brought in a lot of good,” Martin said.
“I think he was one of the best congressmen this area ever had.”
- Local News
-
-
Rain no deterrent for ethnic festival
Rain and wind greeted the opening moments of the Cambria City Ethnic Festival late Friday afternoon, but did not dampen the spirits of those attending the first day of the three-day event.
-
Racino plans stalled
Plans for a horse-racing track and casino in Greater Johnstown were dealt a blow Friday, at least for the short term.
-
Sewage project wins Paint approval
Paint Township supervisors gave final approval Friday for a $5.2 million project that will provide sewer service to 270 homes.
-
Judge won’t budge on bond amount
Judge Timothy Creany on Friday refused to lower the $250,000 bond of a Portage man now in the county prison on charges that he sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint and then had a standoff with police before surrendering.
-
4 escape burning home
Four people escaped a fire that broke out in their mobile home in Somerset Township about 2 p.m. Friday.
-
Area Marine killed fighting in Afghanistan
A Marine from Indiana County has died in combat in Afghanistan, the U.S. Defense Department announced.
-
Jeff Dunham bringing comedy show to Johnstown
Comedian Jeff Dunham will perform at 5 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.
-
NEW – Residents urged to boil water
Residents on Lytle Court in Upper Yoder Township are being urged to boil their water after a main broke around 5 a.m. today, Greater Johnstown Water Authority said.
-
NEW – Roethlisberger suspension reduced to 4 games
Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension has been cut from six games to four by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
-
Research institute seeks entries for essay contest
With Breast Cancer Awareness Month on the horizon, Windber Research Institute is holding an essay contest for kids 14 and younger.
- More Local News Headlines
-
