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Letters to the Editor

Support Tracy Powell for MDJ To the Editor: My name is Shaw Bonson, and during my tenure as a young Marine, I received steadfast support from Tracy Powell. The district magistrate proactively reached out to my mother to inquire about my well-being and my anticipated return home. Upon the completion of my four years of service, Tracy recognized my passion for community protection and my uncertainty regarding whether to pursue a career in law enforcement or healthcare. She graciously invited me to her office and court in the courthouse annex to spend the day shadowing her as well as ...

Leave police work to the police

Editorials

Child predators are abhorrent, and all of them should be removed from society. Building a case against them is a job for the police. Securing a conviction is a job for prosecutors. So-called predator hunting groups have no place in the equation. Last Sunday, the Herald-Standard published an article profiling members of two such groups. It was apparent that members of Bikers Against Predators, based in the state of Indiana, and Niky Sal, operating out of Erie County, are proud to discuss their sting operations. As they explained it, members often pose as underage girls, texting or ...

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Endorsing Swartz for judge To the Editor: Allow this letter to serve as my endorsement of Tara Ebright Swartz for Magisterial District Judge. Tara is a paralegal with the firm I work for and has a breadth of experience in all aspects of the legal realm. She continually demonstrates a mastery of the law through her devotion to her work and the clients that we serve. She routinely assists multiple attorneys in multiple fields of law with a variety of legal issues in both state and federal matters. If you have not had the opportunity to meet Tara in person, then I sincerely hope that ...

Potholes are popping up everywhere

Editorials

They’re a sure sign of spring. Potholes, much to the chagrin of motorists attempting to navigate the region’s roadways, are popping up again everywhere. The state Department of Transportation will spend more than $1.8 million and use 1,900 tons of asphalt to fix potholes across Washington, Fayette, Greene and Westmoreland counties this year. The seasonal freeze-thaw weather cycle is the culprit, and they are the bane of road crews who spend countless hours repairing them. As you drive around the next few months, keep an eye out for the bone-jarring craters. And watch out, too, for ...

Ditch the distraction

Editorials

Rivers of a certain age might recall the days before cellphones encroached on our lives. It was an era free from constant communication with spouses, friends, co-workers and bosses. No text messages, no emails, no phone calls. No calendar alerts pinging reminders of forgotten appointments. No scrolling Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform. To be sure, there were – and still are – plenty of other distractions to divert the driver’s attention from the road: fumbling with radio controls, swatting the occasional bee that flies in through an open window, or ...

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Supporting Wolfkiel for tax collector To the Editor: I’m writing to share my support for Christine Wolfkiel as Tax Collector for Burnham Borough. I’ve known her my entire life, and I truly can’t think of a better person for the job. I can say without hesitation that she is one of the most hard-working, honest, and intelligent people I know. She worked in the court system in a fast paced, high pressure administrative role— and she handled it all with the kind of reliability, grace, and attention to detail that’s rare to come by. She is one of the most honest, hard-working, ...