H-S snubbed swim teams
Until the Feb. 11 edition, I doubt that many of your subscribers knew that the Laurel Highlands swim team’s record is 20-0. That is a successful season. I am sure if a local football, basketball, golf, track, cross-country or soccer team were undefeated, every subscriber would have the opportunity to know. The front page of the sports section would have many large articles with color photographs during the course of the season. Each of the other sports, regardless of their records, has large articles and photographs during their season. I cannot understand why the Herald-Standard failed until now to write articles, other than the statistics, on local high school swim teams. The Laurel Highlands boys swim team is 20-0 and section champs. The Laurel Highlands girls swim team for the first time in more than 20 years won its section. More Laurel Highlands swim team members this year have qualified for the WPIAL championships than in the past.
Every member of the swim team participates in every swim meet. No one is cut from the swim team. What other sports team would have the same success if every member of the team participated in every game? The Laurel Highlands swim team has more members per coach than most other sports.
Again, I am not finding fault with the other sports; I just want to point out the hard work and dedication of the swim team coaches: head coach Bill McCombie and assistant coach Darren DeCarlo. Swim team is also the only sport that is co-ed, practicing and participating in meets at the same time with the same coaches.
The Laurel Highlands swim team coaches encourage good grades. Any team member having problems is offered tutoring before practice by other swim team members.
Your readers deserve to know about all local high school swim teams. They are not second-class sports teams and deserve the same recognition other high school sports teams receive. If every other team receives articles and photographs, why not the swim team?
I congratulate the coaches and members of the Laurel Highlands boys and girls swim teams on their hard work and very successful season
Randy Mundel
Uniontown
Grants ready to help firefighters
Several years ago, I worked with my colleagues in the legislature to pass the state’s initial $25 million Volunteer Fire Company, Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, and also fought to make the program an annual grant opportunity for volunteer fire and ambulance companies.
This year, volunteer fire and ambulance companies are, once again, eligible for grant funding under this program. The grant application period opened Jan. 3 and time is running out to apply. The deadline is 4 p.m. Feb. 28.
I am urging volunteer fire and EMS services to fill out an application. The minimal amount of time it takes to complete an application can really pay dividends. Last year, Washington County emergency service providers received $500,000 through the grant program to help maintain or update their facilities, purchase equipment and pay for training.
Volunteer fire and rescue companies may be eligible for grants ranging from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $15,000 to help pay for construction or renovation of the company’s primary structure, purchase or repair of firefighting or rescue equipment, training or debt reduction. Volunteer ambulance companies may be eligible for grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for the same purposes.
Companies are encouraged to submit their applications online through the Web site of the Office of the State Fire Commissioner at www.osfc.state.pa.us
. However, applicants may also request a paper application form by calling 1-800-670-3473.
As a 27-year volunteer firefighter, I understand how critical grant funding can be to ensuring our communities are well-protected and firefighters have the equipment they need to do the job. As such, I encourage all volunteer fire and ambulance companies to apply for this program, and I remain committed to working to continue the program’s success in the future.
Rep. Tim Solobay
Canonsburg