Sep 24, 2003 3 min read

I am writing about the recent passing of the no helmet law. I am glad that this law was passed as I feel it should be an individual’s choice, but why is it fair that they have the choice to wear a helmet, and I don’t have the same choice to wear a seatbelt? I don’t wear a seatbelt and will not wear one. It should be my choice, too. If I get a ticket for this you can bet I will fight it all the way. What’s fair is fair.

Lynn Johnson

Farmington

Town held hostage

Sixty-five years ago, September 1938 Hitler took control of Czechoslovakia and made them hostages. No one cared.

In 1989 a Pittsburgh couple invaded Brownsville and made us hostages. No one cared. The year is now 2003. We have been hostages 14 years. Still no one cares.

Do you remember Rep. DeWeese telling us a new prison was to be constructed in Fayette County? Rep. DeWeese told us of the great opportunities it would bring to our area. Guess what? All we have received is increased noise and traffic. Both of which have destroyed what little life we had left.

Here’s the kicker. Rep. DeWeese and Congressman Murtha with others have formed a special task force to find an answer for the closed Waynesburg prison. Brownsville is still not on the care list.

Here’s another kicker. Congressman Murtha is in the process of dumping $300,000 into war torn Brownsville. The money will do nothing but enrich a certain Brownsville official’s ego. It will not improve our health, safety or our prosperity. Contact Murtha’s office 1-800-289-2642 and just say no.

I urge all veterans and their families to make this call a priority. The veterans money and services are still being cut drastically. Is this the kind of treatment you fought for? When does money for ego come before those who gave of themselves? What good is a town when it’s not yours, and believe me it isn’t. Look around at what you think is yours. What is really here for you and the next generation? If you are satisfied so be it. If not rise up, make noise, make yourself a part of the town.

You might even want to stop and smell the roses. There aren’t any.

Robert N. Hess

Brownsville

Forced onto road

I am a disabled senior veteran who is basically confined to a wheelchair. I cannot go anywhere on our sidewalks because they are not all accessible. The ones that are cannot be navigated because of their deplorable condition. I don’t even know how people can walk on some of them.

If I need to go anywhere here in town I have to use the roadways, which is not the safest nor probably legal. Why can’t we get a grant or something to bring our sidewalks up to at least standard? If you have a few spare moments sometime check out North Gallatin Avenue.

I’ll bet you are surprised at what you see.

Paul Dailey

Uniontown