We certainly need look no further than Washington, D.C., to see that oversight is needed when a government makes up its rules as it goes along!
Tracy Barr
Smithsburg
McCain: Hero yes, but a leader, no
To the editor:
I want to apologize to all the nice people who have written in to tell me I was wrong for saying John McCain was not a hero for his conduct while a POW in North Vietnam.
They are right; I was wrong. He was a hero. That said, what Gen. Wesley Clark and I were trying to say was that McCain's heroism then cannot be considered a qualification for being elected president and commander in chief.
He has never commanded troops in combat, or run any large organization except his own campaign.
We've just gone through seven years of having a former fighter pilot order our sons and daughters into needless combat in an unnecessary war. McCain says he is willing to continue that for another 100 years. I don't think America needs a president who thinks like that.
Burr Loomis, Captain, USN, Retired
Chambersburg, Pa.
Allegheny's power play was wrong
To the editor:
In response to Allegheny Power having butchered my tree, may I say this: To say that trees should be planted safely away from power line pathways is logical, unless, of course, you're dealing with trees tha may be older than the lines.
Some feel it is right that Allegheny does as it pleases. These individuals would have made excellent understudies of a more rigid governmental regime, but a free America has no room for such mentalities.
In this country, we have thousands of lives given and lost in the name of freedom. This was certainly not done to allow corporate giants to create their own form of totalitarianism here at home.
The tree in question was in no way even touching the lines at any point. In that trim we lost two active robin's nests and a small breed woodpecker's nest.
Unfortunately, today I found that we also lost a Blue Jay nest as I discovered one of the dead jays still in the tree, laying at the exit hole in the limb in which they lived. The jay appeared crushed.
Below the tree we have a Clematis which has suddenly began to die in a rapid manner, as well as a lilac bush in the same way.
In closing I say, never again, Allegheny Power. As for rights of way, we as Americans, taxpayers and property owners also have a right to protect our person, property and liberties.
I am a firm supporter of our U.S. Constitution. Should you ever again attempt to destroy my property in such a way, resulting in the senseless loss of life, it would be a most regrettable choice on your part.
Randy A. Breeden
Williamsport
Why I'm running for the School Board
To the editor:
As a concerned citizen of Washington County, I have been campaigning for a seat on the elected School Board. The four main platform planks I have been focusing on have been:
1. Attracting and retaining quality teachers for the classroom.
2. Advocating for acquiring grants to fund after-school programs that will provide enrichment and creativity to the curriculum.
3. Researching enrollment projections for the next seven years to determine if we need to construct a new high school east of Hagerstown.
4. Examining security measures that are currently in place and determine if they are adequate for students and staff.
I feel these are issues the school board should be taking under advisement for the next four years.
In addition, there are many other issues facing the citizens and School Board from 2008-12. First and foremost is the question of how we will fund the Board of Education budget during an economic downturn. I do not like to be negative about everything, but it concerns me that Washington County's SAT scores have remained flat for 10 years.
As you can see, there is much work to be done at the Board of Education, but I do believe that, all in all, the system is sound. I would like to work to improve the system, and ask for your vote.
Meredith Fouche
Candidate for Washington County School Board
Sharpsburg
