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7/23/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

The nepotism policy that the Avonworth School Board voted into existence a couple of years ago was put in place to restrict relatives of employees from being considered for a job with the school district. The statement, "this should apply especially to school board members and their families" was emphatically stated by certain board members at that time. The policy was not unanimously approved.

7/2/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

In the June 25 Citizen’s “This Week in Review” 25 years ago, you mentioned a scene being”....shot on Keswick Avenue...” in 1985 for the TV movie “Silent Witness.” Actually there were several scenes.

7/2/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

Following the June 22 meeting of Bellevue Council the mayor and I had a chance to chat. Mr. [George] Doscher wanted to clarify some things with me. The mayor made it clear that he is not in favor of new recreational burning restrictions in Bellevue. He told me he is satisfied with the way things are now. Mr. Doscher previously stated before council that he enjoys burning in his own yard and that “just a few” can spoil things for everybody else in the community.

6/25/10
Letters to the editor

Editor: I don't often take a bus, but several years ago had to do so. I barely had time to sit down, when the driver abruptly started, then slammed on his brakes, allowing a breathless latecomer to board. The driver yelled at him, "If it weren't for you people, I might be on time!" I laughed and said to my companion, "It's just like it was in nursing. If it weren't for the patients we could get our work done. I always thought it was a joke!"

6/25/10
Letters to the editor

Editor:

In regards to Carol A. Wivel's two letters' to the editor about "wood burning":

I have had a fire pit for over five years and know countless people that do. Those who are simply spending time with their family and friends, follow all current ordinances and restrictions, and take the time to make sure they are following the rules and spent money to purchase a "legal" fire bowl should be respected.

6/25/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

What I would like to know is why the Avonworth School Board discusses an issue such as name plates on jerseys for multiple meetings.

From what I read in the paper, the football boosters raise money and were going to pay for the name plates, which would be given to seniors each year. With that said and the football program not going to use school budget funds or taxpayers' money, what's the big deal? As a former football player, to receive your name plate your senior year would be a nice gesture.

6/18/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

While additional delay in the process of getting a new outdoor burning ordinance for Bellevue is disappointing to those of us with allergic and other respiratory health problems, I must say I felt encouraged by our mayor's and council member Mark Panichella's comments. Mayor George Doscher and Mr. Panichella both agreed at the June council workshop meeting that our new ordinance needs to have "teeth" to it, an enforcement component.

6/11/10
Lack of Attendance was Sad

Editor:

As a past member of Emsworth Council, a citizen of the community, and most importantly, the daughter of a veteran, I would like to express my sincere and deep sorrow regarding the noticeable empty seats at our memorial service. Where were the elected officials? This is a day for remembering the service and sacrifices made by our veterans.

6/11/10
Remembrance Important

REMEMBRANCE IMPORTANT

Editor:

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. It is a sad day when individuals choose not to honor former members of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for all Americans.

5/21/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I hope someone can explain to me how politics work in Emsworth, because I am not sure I follow right now. Council says they are voted there to serve the tax payers of the community, but are they?

5/21/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I surely wish there had been some compelling words of wisdom from the numbers of us who attended Friday night's town meeting that miraculously would have made the West Penn Health System see the light, find an alternative, and change its mind about Suburban General Hospital.

But Thursday night's news let us know that in 90 days the changes would be a done deal.

5/7/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I was very disappointed in the recent decision by the Avonworth School Board's Athletic Committee to cut wrestling from the co-op sports agreement. After attending the meeting, I left with the feeling that little is known about this wonderful character-building sport!

Much of the information being provided to board members appears to be incorrect. The cost for the 2009-2010 season was significant;y less than budgeted -- $15,000 ($7,500/school) -- due to fewer coaches. When participation is low, the need for multiple coaches should be considered, as well as volunteer coaches.

4/30/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

It rained the past few days. Yesterday evening I sat in my wicker rocker on the front porch, watching the rain fall, enjoying the fresh-washed air.

The sun’s back out today. I find myself wondering now if my neighbors will be burning again tonight. Will I be forced to close all my windows and stay in the house again? Will I close everything up in time to avoid a headache, sore throat and plugged-up ears?

4/23/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

There are two very popular programs on television: “Survivor” and “The Biggest Loser.” I watch The Biggest Loser because I sincerely root for all the people working 100 percent harder than I ever could to become healthier, look better and live longer. That they may gain quite a bit of money in the doing is of no concern to me. “Survivor,” on the other hand, is all about putting everyone else out of commission. Ironically, I think the titles of these two programs should be reversed.

3/19/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I was happy, and at the same time got a reminder laugh, to read the statement of Northgate School Board’s Shirl Reinhart that a college visitation program costing “...a couple thousand dollars each year” faces possible elimination. (The Citizen, March 12).

Don’t like the word “possible.” I would strongly urge the continuing of good financial responsibility and scrap the “...or reduction of the trip...” consideration.

3/12/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

What an amazing evening it was on Friday, March 5, at the annual Arts Odyssey! An evening of music, performance and appreciation of all things art (including culinary arts!), an often overlooked and undervalued element of children's education. I want to applaud the work of Shirley Reinhart, Arts Odyssey Committee chair and Northgate Board member, along with the entire Northgate school faculty, staff and administrators who each year embark on celebrating the joys of the arts and for nurturing the arts within the hearts and imaginations of our school children and community members.

3/12/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to commend a variety of individuals who assisted me during the recent emergency snow storm. This storm virtually could have stopped the borough services, but several people were instrumental in coordinating efforts so that our borough of Bellevue proved to be a success story in the face of severe adverse conditions.

Mike Bookser (Bellevue) and Fred Fisher (Avalon) for coordinating the emergency operation plan that I enacted in order for services to be rendered properly.

3/5/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

2/26/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

Is the school tax increase justified?

What I would like to know as a taxpayer is, did the school boards of Avonworth and Northgate look at all options before taking the easy way out and try to raise taxes?

What happens later this year when the gaming revenue gets handed out? They are not going to lower taxes.

So I guess before we just raise taxes the school boards should look at all options and make sure not to gouge the taxpayers. Between sewer rate increases, higher school taxes, and new county assessments, when will the taxpayers catch a break?

Kevin Yurkovich

2/26/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

All too often we take the time to register a complaint, but unfortunately never take the time to register gratitude for a job well done.

Bellevue public works supervisor Mr. Tony Barbarino and his entire crew are to be commended. These guys were out day and night working with skill and organization. Roads were made passable, including secondary roads and alleys, within a remarkable amount of time.

As a longtime resident of Bellevue I now have a greater appreciation for what these guys must endure. Joyce M. Donovan Bellevue

1/8/10
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

When people live long enough in a small community, it breeds the good old boy familiarity that is fine when it’s neighbors helping neighbors. But when it comes to politics, that familiarity becomes misplaced trust at best, unchallenged corruption at worst.

I worked 30 years in political offices. In one of them, a girl who was arguing for her candidate said to me, and I quote, “Well, at least he’s my crook.” Of course, that mind set is scarier than...the hot place.

12/24/09
A season for angels

Do you believe in angels?

I do, because I've had the honor of meeting a rare few in my life. They took the form of regular people, with human weaknesses and frailties. Some people could never see beyond their human characteristics to witness the endless capacity for love, the courage, the conviction, the passion.

Rosemary Heflin was one of those angels. Today she has gone back to the heavens. We have lost an angel here on earth, but perhaps gained a guardian for all eternity.

12/24/09
The Newsmakers of ’09

Who were the people who stood out in the news of 2009?

For the first time, we need to recognize entire groups of people rather than individuals, and all of them are voters -- or not.

The voters of Ben Avon deserve some recognition for staging an election coup of remarkable proportions. We aren’t sure what message they were trying to send to their government, but the lesson they delivered was that no official should ever take for granted his seat in government.

12/18/09
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

No matter what she does it seems like Jane Braunlich can't win in Bellevue this year. Today I write in response to Virginia Miranda's letter printed on Dec. 11.

Miranda wrote, "I've always been a rule obeyer, which has definitely annoyed more people than I can count." Hmmmm. I'd say Jane Braunlich is a kindred spirit. People who attended Bellevue Council meetings in the past year where Dave Gillingham and friends would roll their eyes and fume as Jane Braunlich pointed out that our law, Bellevue's home rule charter, was being ignored, will realize that.

12/18/09
Letters to the Editor

Editor:

It's hard to believe we are at the end of another year. And what a year it has been! The economy is the worst it has been in decades and unemployment is still at a staggering high. Still, the New Year always rejuvenates the soul as we look forward to a better year.

Personally, I enjoyed meeting hundreds of Bellevue residents this year. I enjoyed the discussions about Bellevue's past, present and future. I am honored to be chosen as a member of council and I am excited about the upcoming year.