From supporters and critics, Murtha won respect

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February 9, 2010

By KATHY MELLOTT The Tribune-Democrat Tue Feb 09, 2010, 12:43 AM EST

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.”

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From supporters and critics, Murtha won respect

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