Letters to the Editor

July 10, 2020 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

Portion of a December 1932 airplane navigation chart. (Library of Congress collection)

Curious about airport near Tinplate Hil

As a member of the “sport” aviation community, I was having a discussion with like-minded individuals about an aerial picture of the Duquesne bridge area of McKeesport that I saw years ago. 

In the picture was a small airport (a grass field) along the shore of the Monongahela River just downstream from the bridge on the McKeesport side.

Reader’s Viewpoint: Bunola Resident
Thankful Brewster Intervened

February 03, 2020 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

April Andrejdes of Forward Twp. writes:

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to state Sen. Jim Brewster for all his hard work and efforts to get Bunola River Road reopened as soon as a permanent power source is secured.

I was told by PennDOT that they were tired of having someone charge the solar-powered signal light every day, and they were tired of spending money to repair Bunola River Road. I asked why we could not have an electric signal light and was told it was too expensive.

Reader’s Viewpoint: Resident Sees Red Over Bunola Road Closure

January 23, 2020 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

(Editor’s note: This letter was originally published with “name withheld upon request.” Patty has now asked us to use her name.)

Patty Smith of Elizabeth Twp. took issue with “PennDOT: Drivers Ignoring Signal on Bunola River Road,” a brief published Jan. 22:

I saw red when I saw that article. That is only a mere fraction of the story! PennDOT only gave you one side.

The reason drivers are ignoring the signals is because the signals blink red a lot of the time at both ends — and you cannot see the light at the other end.

People have no way of knowing if cars are going up or down the hill. They have to take their lives into their own hands and attempt to travel the stretch of road and pray they do not meet anyone coming in the opposite direction.

Readers’ Viewpoints

December 20, 2019 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

Christmas lights much appreciated

I drove past the "Daily News Building" recently and was so pleased to see the iconic neon Christmas lights in the windows. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to whomever had the foresight to save these lights. They are so much a part of McKeesport. Merry Christmas!

—Connie Andres, Pittsburgh

Editor’s Note: We passed your message along to McKeesport Mayor Mike Cherepko and city electrician Tom Rosso.

Former resident appreciates obituaries

I thank you so much for being able to see local obituaries, living in the Altoona area. This is a great service.

—Pat Stanley, Roaring Spring, Pa.

Compare scores of charter, public schools

Regarding the article “School Officials Seek Relief, Changes to Charter School Laws” (Dec. 11): Are charter schools doing well by their students? Compare scores etc against public schools before making any decisions!

—Dena Swantek Benko, White Oak

Editor’s Note: You can check out test scores and historical trends for all public and charter schools in Pennsylvania by going to the state’s website at FutureReadyPA.org.

Letters to the Editor: 'Red-Light Cameras' Are a Cash-Grab

June 12, 2019 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

James Sikorski Jr. of Luzerne County writes regarding June 4's story, "$344K State Grant Will Fund City-Wide Safety, Traffic Improvements."

Sikorski is "Pennsylvania Advocate" for the "National Motorists Association," which describes itself as a "grassroots alliance of motorists joined together to protect our rights."

It should be noted that versions of this same letter have been sent to other publications around the state:

Sadly, the speed kills myth is alive and well in Pennsylvania. A real 25-state analysis was done of NHTSA data, which showed that 1.6 percent of crashes are caused by excessive speed. Barely above zero, then.

Letter to the Editor: Cannabis Story Clarified

May 01, 2019 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

Sven Hosford of Dispense Magazine writes:

I saw your recent story about the event in McKeesport ("Companies Gather to Educate Public About Medical Marijuana's Uses, Benefits," April 30).

Thank you for your coverage of Erik and his pressing. A great guy doing good work. Thank you for covering him.

Our magazine is focused on supporting the medical cannabis industry, and there are a couple of inaccuracies that jump out:

Reader's Viewpoint: Article on Church's Demolition Was a 'Scam'

April 02, 2019 |

By Jason Togyer | Posted in: Commentary-Editorial, Letters to the Editor

Reader Glen Jackson of McKeesport took issue with the March 21 article, "Wrestling Program Plans to Grow; Abandoned Church to Be Demolished," about plans to demolish the former St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church on Beacon Street.

In comments Jackson posted on Facebook and then emailed to Tube City Almanac, Jackson wrote:

"Is this [article] funded by [McKeesport Mayor Michael] Cherepko? It’s a scam article.

"Part of the deal of [Jim Miller of PWX] buying the lot so cheap was the fact of the church inclusion!

Reader's Viewpoint: Specks of Dust

March 21, 2019 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

(Submitted photo: Vickie Babyak)

Vickie Babyak of Dravosburg writes:

With recent events in the Mon Valley and worldwide --- I can't mention everything because it would be overwhelming ---- I fear people don't care what is happening.

Are we paying attention, educating ourselves, doing what we can for humanity?

Just because things have been going on for years doesn't mean we can't grow as a society. We need to stand up against hate, racism and bigotry, protect nature because we only have one planet, and come together with a sincere desire for change.

Reader's Viewpoint: Haler Heights Residents Need Action

March 12, 2019 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

(Tube City Almanac photo)

Reader Patty Wolfe writes regarding the March 7 story, "Residents Worried About Future Landslides on Haler Heights Street":

This is an outrage! The mayor said he finds a resident's comments "offensive" and also stated work began in November! I find his callous attitude offensive! 

Why didn't work begin on June 12 --- the day after half of the road slid away? 

This road houses two retired McKeesport firemen, the family of a deceased fireman, a retired McKeesport City Deputy Treasurer and a retired school bus driver (along with many others) who have lived there and paid taxes for 50-plus years!

Letter to the Editor: Demolitions Must Be Done With Lead Safety in Mind

July 24, 2018 |

By Submitted Report | Posted in: Letters to the Editor

Abandoned house awaiting demolition in Maryland. (Amy McGovern photo via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons --- Attribution 2.0 Generic.)

Reader Ray Firth writes:

Regarding your July 13 story, "172 Houses Head to Demolition; At Least 50 More to Be Added."

The demolition of blighted properties in McKeesport --- part of the "McKeesport Rising" project --- is important for McKeesport and the families who live near them. The homes being demolished are in terrible shape and old.

These homes also probably have lead paint on the windows, doors and walls.

The 200-plus demolitions will cause a lot of dust when the crews push the houses to the ground, and load the debris into dump trucks. That dust will have lead in it from the old lead paint.

In similar projects in other cities, that dust spread to nearby neighborhoods. They found that more children in those nearby neighborhoods had lead in their blood than before the demolitions.