May 23, 2008 6 min read

As a new mother, I worry now more than ever how things are going to be 30 or 40 years from now, when my 3-month-old daughter, born on Jan. 8, is living in this world and maybe trying to raise her own family. I am concerned about our air quality and how it will affect my child. I am worried about the issues that are out there with the mercury that coal-fired power plants emit into the air and finds its way into the food chain.

This mercury, according to various sources like the Environmental Protection Agency, a federal agency, can cause brain damage and slow normal brain development in young children or babies still in the womb. I was so worried about those kinds of things when I was pregnant, and I am afraid to imagine what that will be like 10 years from now. Will it be worse or can we make it better?

I want to support ways that make it better. I want to see clean electricity sources on our ridgelines and I will “sacrifice” the view if it means that our children won’t have to suffer the consequences of toxic chemicals in our water, air, and food. It is questionable whether that is even a sacrifice. Many people I talk to don’t see it as a sacrifice but an all around good thing for us here in Fayette.

If we don’t start taking responsible actions now, the sacrifices we will have to make later will be that much worse. The longer we wait and put off being a part of the solution to these environmental problems, the more intense and devastating the price will be.

I hope this review of the zoning board will bring to light the positives of wind energy and get it going in our county.

Tawnya Pirl

Bullskin Township

Stop helping self-imposed poor

Picture this, a TV story about helping the poor. In the report we see and hear a fat woman, who is a single parent that has four children by four different fathers, lives in public housing and looks like she never missed a meal in her life.

What this poor person needs is not more welfare benefits; this productive citizen needs a chastity belt and a brain transplant to quit knocking socks with every man in the housing project. Then let’s put these children’s fathers in jail for not paying child support.

I know this is wishful thinking; this doesn’t happen in Pennsylvania. The politicians just raise taxes and provide more goodies for the self-imposed poor. What a great state.

David Gardner

Uniontown

Nehls’ legacy worth reviving

It’s definitely, a known fact that the late Ron Nehls played an important role in revitalizing downtown Uniontown with the State Theatre and a memorial to Uniontown’s great native son, Gen. George C. Marshall.

Ron proved that it is possible that a man with a dream can make a difference in this community. Unfortunately, none of his accomplishments were reported in his memorial commentaries. Very sad.

I enjoyed going to the many country music concerts held at the State Theatre and miss them very much. I remember seeing Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Sawyer Brown, Waylon Jennings, Mark Chestnut, Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw, Confederate Railroad, Collin Raye, etc. I wish they would bring country music back to the State Theatre.

I know, there are yearly concerts at the Fayette County Fair and Nemacolin Woodlands, but that’s only during the summer.

I’d like to see concerts all year round and I bet a lot of other Fayette County residents would, too. Maybe they could start out with having four concerts per year and then if things go well, go to six or such.

I know there’s a lot of other wealthy people besides Joe Hardy, who’s already done quite a bit to help revitalize Fayette County, living in this area who could donate money and such to help bring country music back to Uniontown.

And we have a lot of talented local artists including myself who are willing, able and eager to open up for some of these Nashville stars. Let’s put this dream that the late Ron Nehls had back in motion and bring a little fun and excitement back to Fayette County.

Michael Allen Greer

Uniontown

Are you mentally ill?

If my answer is “yes,” then I am not alone. It is more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, an estimated 23 percent of American adults (ages 18 and older), about 44 million people and about 20 percent of American children suffer from a mental disorder during a given year.

Additionally, about 5 million American adults, and more that 5 million children and adolescents, suffer from a serious mental condition (one that significantly interferes with functioning.)

The illness does not discriminate, affecting people of any age, income, education level, or culture. In other words, “I” could be your doctor, teacher, neighbor, or family member. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, many people fully recover.

Others may become disabled due to a chronic or severe mental illness, and some are able to live full and productive lives. One out of five Americans will experience a mental disorder during their lifetime, but people can get better.

Help is as close as your own back door. Fayette County Mental Health/Mental Retardation is located in Uniontown. The phone number is (724) 430-1370. Their 24-hour Crisis Hotline is (724) 437-1003.

Their mission statement reads, “If you are in search of help for yourself or someone you love, Fayette County knows the services and supports most appropriate.” There are also support groups for family members.

In answer to the question, “Am “I” mentally ill?”, chances are that “I” won’t tell you due to stigma. That is a mark of shame received, which results in being rejected by others. The stigma surrounding mental illness is so strong that it places a wall of silence around this issue. It affects caregivers, family members, and the person with the illness.

Improving community attitudes, by increasing knowledge and understanding about mental illness, is essential if people in recovery are to live in and contribute to the community, free from discrimination.

Am “I” mentally ill? Could “I,” be you?

Daria A. Cobert

Smithfield