Sharing the bounty
Since 1991, Hunters Sharing the Harvest has been paying local meat processors to prepare deer donated by local hunters into food for our local needy. Last year deer hunters contributed nearly 80,000 pounds of venison to neighbors in need. However the donations were down due to a necessary $15/deer fee that HSH was forced to impose due to budget cuts in public funding. I am asking local churches to consider participating in a very worthy project that helps many low-income neighbors. On Sunday, Nov. 21, I propose a day of worship that focuses on the efforts and safety of our local hunters, a Hunters’ Sunday.
Afterwards, a request could be made to the congregation to support the processing of donated deer meat with a one-dollar tax deductible contribution collected in cooking pots posted by the exit doors. These funds would be given to the local food bank to supplement the statewide Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) payments made to the processors. This generosity will encourage additional whole deer donations by covering the usual $15 per deer fee that is now paid by the already generous hunter. And Godspeed a safe and successful hunt.
Dr. Bill Choby
Latrobe
The writer is western Pennsylvania’s coordinator for Hunters Sharing the Harvest. For more information, log onto www.sharedeer.org.
Son proud of father’s campaign
I’m proud to be Larry Roberts’ son. Through 12 years of elections, my father never has run a negative campaign, but this time, facing the most despicable campaign in recent Fayette County history (and probably all-time), he, I actually thought, might give in.
To his credit he didn’t, and thankfully he prevailed. (I’m sure this letter will prompt a response from someone repeating the same nonsense about him, but the fact of the matter is accusations and even a supposedly “inevitable” indictment don’t equal guilt.)
At the risk of sounding condescending, I want to say I’m proud, too, of the voters of the 51st District and sincerely thank them for their support of both my father and me. Although some succumbed to the hateful attacks of one candidate, most of them rejected it and sent the message they are tired of those kinds of tactics. Like my father, I feel serving the people of Fayette County has been an honor and privilege, and despite what some would have you believe, we look down upon no one.
His critics will say Larry Roberts beat each of his opponents by an average of better than 2-1, because the vote was split amongst several candidates, but the truth is he ran against formidable opponents, three of whom brought something legitimate to the table. Given those choices (and one other), the voters overwhelmingly endorsed my father’s outstanding record of service.
By the way, he’s a pretty good dad, too.
Mark Roberts
Fayette County Controller