Hall dared to live, serve
A very good man was laid to rest a little over a month ago, and I cannot let the passing of Pat Hall go without acknowledging what he did for Cross Keys Human Services Inc. when he was a member of the board of directors. At a time when the agency had to relocate its mental health consumers because the rental property used for their living quarters changed ownership, Pat directed the administration of Cross Keys to a building in the downtown area which was being sold. With the help of Mr. Bob Eberly, Commissioner Fred L. Lebder and the Fayette County MH/MR program the building was purchased by CrossKeys and renovations were done.
Without Pat’s initial involvement, the above could not have happened. Today our mental health consumers have a beautiful residence in one part of the building and in the other part there is a day program for Mental Health Consumers of the county.
During Pat’s funeral mass, the Rev. Vincent Gigliotti, pastor of St. Peter and Mary of the Assumption parishes, so aptly recognized Pat’s excellent performance as a husband, father, relative and friend. One sentence he said struck me as it describes so well what Pat has done for the Mental Health Consumers. The words, “Many people have been blessed because Pat dared to live and dared to serve.”
As I heard these words I thought yes, because Pat dared to live and dared to serve, many mental health consumers of the county have a place that is their own in which to live and a place to be for day programming with people who care about them. It is most important to recognize this, because Pat got involved at a time when mental health was not a popular issue.
In the name of our present, past and future mental health consumers, I say, “Thanks Pat, because you dared to live and dared to serve, we have a place that is truly ours.”
Many “just men” are named in the Bible. By anyone’s definition Pat ranks right up there among them.
Sister James Ann Germuska, executive director
Cross Keys Human Services Inc.
County shouldn’t pay
At a recent county commissioners’ meeting chief assessor Jim Hercik asked the commissioners to pay his personal legal fees.
His legal bills are a result of the Department of State bringing 22 charges against him for violating the assessment laws.
Fortunately, the county’s insurance company has already denied Hercik’s claim, indicating that the county is not responsible for Hercik’s personal problems associated with his private license. Now Hercik is asking the commissioners to pay his legal fees and they are considering doing this.
The county should not even consider picking up his tab.
Personally, I feel it would be an insult to the property owners of Fayette County, who have been improperly over assessed and overtaxed because of Hercik, to now cause them to pay his legal bills.
The commissioners should do the right thing and deny Hercik’s request.
Jim Smith
Connellsville