Setting record straight
Residents have idea on school Dear Editor:
Thank you Mr. Machesky, Susan Clay, and Kenny Meadows for attending the community meeting at Marclay on Aug. 22. You helped ease a lot of rumors that had been circulating in the area.
It seemed all of the residents who were present would like to have Marclay Elementary School replaced on adjoining school property, while the students attend classes at the old building.
From what I understand it would save $2 million to rebuild at this site as opposed to renovating A.J. McMullen to include an elementary and middle school. Joining an elementary and a middle school should not even be an option – the age differences are too great.
School board members please take this into consideration during the upcoming work session and voting periods.
Mary Yakubec
Markleysburg
Clergy pay taxes
Dear Editor:
I wish to take exception to the Letter to the Editor from Mr. Jim Lilley printed in your paper on Aug. 29. In that editorial Mr. Lilley accuses churches and pastors of not paying property tax on the homes in which the clergy live. This is simply not true; we do.
The house of worship is tax exempt and churches are exempt from certain sales tax. In fact, those property taxes often create hardships on churches where there is declining attendance and donations. So, if Mr. Lilley is implying that churches are getting rich by not paying taxes, I beg to differ.
Most churches provide community services that are invaluable to the community, that if local governments had to pay for such services would create an additional tax burden to the public. Rather than being a burden to the community most churches and houses of faith do tremendous good.
Without prying, though, it sounds as though Mr. Lilley has had a bad experience of church that has left him feeling bitter and resentful. We, in the faith community, will pray for him and others like him to have a conversion of the heart. It is always better to light a candle than it is to curse the darkness.
Thank God the light has come into the world through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Wishing you God’s peace in the midst of a hostile world.
Rev. Bob Lewis, pastor
Masontown United Methodist Church