The United States Capitol building. Photo by Andrew Van Huss, CC BY-SA 4.0
Don’t Forget the Votes on the Infrastructure Bill
Congressmen Fred Keller and Glenn Thompson and most other members of the Republican Caucus proudly voted against last year’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, knowing full well that Pennsylvania ranks fifth in worst in the country for bridge maintenance with more than 12,000 of the state’s bridges in need. of repair.
Keller and Thompson, apparently in a tight “party first” sway, just can’t seem to vote for anything the Democrats or Independents come up with. After all, they are self-proclaimed tribal warriors rather than constituent representatives.
On January 28, a bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh, a bridge listed as being in poor condition for years. Ten people were injured; 14,500 vehicles per day will have to be rerouted.
Fortunately, despite warriors Keller and Thompson’s “No” votes, Pennsylvania will soon receive nearly $18 billion to repair and improve infrastructure. $1.6 billion is set aside for repairing bridges; obviously needed repairs throughout the state.
This fall, when it comes time to elect members of Congress, we should look for representatives who can work with others and represent voters to replace our current Tribal Warriors.
Jeffrey Kern,
State University
Secure storage of firearms is essential
Two-thirds of gun deaths in Pennsylvania are suicides. Suicide rates are particularly high among middle-aged white men, veterans, those living in rural areas, and LGBTQ adults and youth. Fifty percent of suicides are unplanned – they occur within an hour of the suicide decision and 25% occur within five minutes of the decision. Any delay in accessing a firearm can save a life. Secure gun storage means storing guns locked, unloaded and with ammunition locked and stored separately.
Winters in central Pennsylvania can be lonely and isolating. If you know someone struggling with sadness or depression who has access to guns, please learn more about how you can help them. afsp.org. You can learn more about safe gun storage, how to get free gun locks, and how to ask about gun safety at homes your child visits. BeSMARTforKids.org. Safe storage of firearms is an easy and effective way to save lives.
Carl Gustafson and Erin Garthe
Co-managers
Be SMART / Central Region, Pennsylvania
The right thing to do
Hats off to Patton Township supervisors for voting unanimously to enact a mask mandate inside the public buildings of their canton. Now we need all the other municipalities in our region to follow suit.
The best way to stop the coronavirus, including Omicron and its future variants, is to do a few simple things: maintain social distancing, get all your shots, test occasionally, and yes, wear a mask when you’re with others. The cost of doing these things: next to nothing. The cost of not doing these things: illness and possibly your life, or the lives of people you know.
At last report we have 326 Covid deaths in Center County, 32 deaths last month. Why risk it?
Thank you to Patton Township supervisors for their leadership on this life and death issue.
Promote public health and safety? It’s always the right thing to do.
Polly Dun,
State University
