Apr 28, 2004 6 min read

We are writing after seeing first-hand the treatment of veterans. Recently there was a mix up with a retirement status. On Feb. 21, we were made aware of the problem and began to question what had to be done to have this corrected. We were told to do this or do that and do it, only to find out that was not what they wanted. After numerous calls to Defense Finance Accounting Service, we were put on the right track and began the process.

Local help was needed to complete the retirement status. At first we were told to contact our congressman to see if he could help in anyway. We did this on Feb. 28. We did as they said, faxing the information that they needed, along with copies of discharge papers. We were told we would be contacted in two weeks. We have not had a reply yet.

We then called Mr. Dale Hixon in Veterans Affairs at the Fayette County Courthouse, to see if he could help with the swearing in. Although Mr. Hixon could not actually help with the swearing in, he listened to everything that was going on and pointed us in the right direction for the actual swearing in. (We could not go to the armory from where the retirement was from as they are in training for deployment overseas.)

We contacted a local reserve unit and my first words to the man were, “Sir, I need some help.” His reply was “Who are you? The president?” I should have ended the phone call right there. I proceeded to tell him the situation and his reply was, “Don’t think I am going to do a swearing in just because you have some paperwork. I am busy on the other line dealing with someone else.” There was no “could I get your name and number and call you back”? We knew then we had hit a dead end.

Then we remembered the help that we received from a local reserve unit in Mount Pleasant. A phone call was made to them and the next day, the swearing in took place. Paperwork was completed, things were explained to us and we were on our way. They made it so easy. If only we had contacted them in the beginning. Within four days the retirement status was completed and everything straightened out.

So to those who did not have the time to help, we now understand how our veterans feel. Everywhere you go, you seem to hit a brick wall. We weren’t asking for much, just a little help and some of your time.

And to those who did – Mr. Hixon and the HHC 110th Infantry Division in Mount Pleasant, we cannot thank you enough for taking the time to walk us through this and help get the ball rolling. Your help is greatly appreciated. If only everyone had your attitude and compassion.

Kenneth J. Spade

Shannon L. Rockwell

Fairchance

Problems with emission tests

The House has passed a measure requesting that the Pennsylvania attorney general and bipartisan Legislative Budget and Finance Committee investigate possible collusion among inspection and repair stations in the setting of motor vehicle emissions testing fees.

The inequity of the emissions testing system has been a nightmare. When first rolled out, it applied unfairly to just nine Pittsburgh- and Philadelphia-area counties.

As of this year, it has been expanded to include 25 counties statewide, but the inequity persists, as drivers in 42 other counties are exempt from emissions testing on their vehicles.

Since I represent residents in two counties, Westmoreland, which has had emissions testing for some time, and Fayette, which still has no testing – I am keenly aware of the inequities.

Residents of Armstrong, Butler and Fayette can commute to jobs in Pittsburgh, Washington or Beaver, contributing to the air pollution, but those motorists do not have to have their cars tested.

Emissions test prices for computerized tests and for visual and gas cap tests for older vehicles vary widely, further adding to the inequity and confusion among consumers.

There are approximately 1.3 million registered vehicles in Allegheny, Beaver, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. This volume should easily pay for the new equipment service stations had to purchase if they wanted to do the newer On-Board Diagnostic testing without price gouging.

For an OBD test, a technician attaches a cable to a car’s on-board computer and downloads information to diagnose common engine problems that lead to increased pollution. This electronic inspection is supplemented by a check around the gas cap to ensure fumes are not leaking.

Legislation has been introduced to set a maximum price for emission inspection fees. According to PennDOT, the estimated baseline cost per test is $13.76, which does not include tax or the service stations’ profit.

The burden of these emissions inspections and cleaning the air should be distributed more evenly, not just among 25 counties. I will review possible legislative options and encourage the attorney general and the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to follow up on our recommendations to investigate emission test costs to be sure consumers are not being taken advantage of.

I encourage any driver who has had a difficulty with this new standard, or who thinks they know of any price fixing or exorbitant testing fees, to contact myself or other state legislators so we can forward this information to the attorney general.

Rep. Jess Stairs

Norvelt

Votes can give unborn voice

Yes – our vote is a gift and it does count.

When we are privileged to gaze into the innocent eyes of a newborn child, we see our future – hope and love. Our elected officials must deal with many important issues as they represent us in government.

Please make your vote for life the No. 1 issue among all the other very important issues in the up-coming elections.

Remember that our nation was founded upon the ideals of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. But life came first.

A pull of the registering lever at your voting booth could actually help to change the face of the earth. A thank you from many voices yearning to be heard.

Linda Figas

Uniontown