Letters to the Editor Policy

Feral Cat & Other Friends

Ever wonder why those New Orleans residents put their own lives at risk rather than leave their pets behind? I didn't. Neither did those who have pets. We understood. Abandoning my pet cat would not just be wrong, it would be criminal.

Since I was a boy I've always had a feline pet or two. As the years have gone my list of animal friends have grown in step with the years. A few stand out. There was Lucifer. He was an old tom, awash in testosterone, and as tough as old shoe leather. Once or twice a week he would come limping back home for R&R, bearing the scars acquired in quest of his current lady love. Agamemnon comes to mind. I don't remember why I named him that except that it sounded like an ancient war-like king. A better name would have been Shiva, after the god of destruction. Agie, in his short destructive life, burned the candle at both ends. He took great delight in ventilating the curtains with dozens of little round holes as he climbed up and an equal number as he climbed down. Clawing the furniture to shreds was also great fun.

Now Bast could have been the reincarnation of the Egyptian cat-headed goddess. A splendid athlete. Bast could jump from my yard straight up seven feet to the first-story window. White Boy was a tailless male that looked like a lynx with an attitude like a runway model. He would knead my chest mercilessly with his tiger claws and give me a good bop on the nose if I stopped petting him.

The current cat in residence is a feral cat. I'm too embarrassed to give you her real name, so we'll just leave it at Feral Cat. It took a month before she would come close enough to allow me the privilege of petting her. Her first night in the house she went into a claustrophobic frenzy – 10 rooms cramped her style. But over time Feral Cat has decided that life on the wild side isn't all it's cracked up to be. She has now designated me as her favorite rug, albeit an inconvenient one as I occasionally go vertical and ambulatory. Lacking her "rug," she retires to a place of exquisite comfort, one she decided upon only after weeks of trial and error, and takes a 10-hour nap to start her day. She is, as are all cats, a supreme mistress of sleep.

Weasel, Miss America and Pig were other friends I met along life's way. My memory of them is not of pets, but of the personalities and idiosyncrasies that set each apart, just as these are what distinguish us from each other. They were all good "people" and a pleasure to know them all. There is something human-like about cats – dogs, too, so I'm told. They are impatient (particularly for their breakfast), playful, slothful, peevish, shy, trusting and distrustful, easily irritated, and most often, affectionate. And there's something to be learned from this remarkable race: 1) To those who befriend them, they respond in kind, but in their own good time. 2) They are wholly unjudgmental: rich or poor, young or old, good or bad makes no difference at all to them. Some of the best of us are like that. 3) They are satisfied with very little. Some food, shelter, and a reassuring hug are all that is needed for perfect contentment. 4) Cats and dogs do not just give their trust. They are wise enough to know that trust must be earned over time. And most important, 5) Pets are extraordinarily adept at teaching their "owners" – if that is the proper word to use – the transforming power of love.

Summing it all up I would say that despite the species gap, language difficulties, and the extra pair of legs, cats – all pets – are among mankind's most valued friends. We would be all the poorer without them and are so much the better for having known them. (Isn't that so Colleen Donahue and family?)

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA

A Job Well Done

The Lanesboro Cemetery Association would like to announce that we received a grant to blacktop the cemetery roads, in Lanesboro. The paving was completed just before the Memorial Holiday weekend. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience that may have occurred, but we did not want to hold up the work as we have been working on this grant for over seven years. There is more work to be done; the road edges need to be tapered.

We would like to thank all who worked on this project for a job well done.

There is still a lot of work to be done. As mentioned, the road edges need to be tapered as our first priority. The tool shed needs to be painted, and a new roof installed on it. These are at the top of our list of things to be done. We would appreciate any help, either time-wise or financial, in any amount, to help maintain the final resting place of your loved ones.

If anyone would like more information, call (570) 853–4524 or write to us at Lanesboro Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 124, Lanesboro, PA 18827.

Sincerely,

The Lanesboro Cemetery Association

Your Support Is Appreciated

During this time of conflict, it is more important than ever to honor our servicemen and women who are serving our country now, and those who gave with their lives defending the ideals of our country.

The Thompson Veterans Memorial Organization, unfortunately, did not hold our annual Memorial Day service this year. However, our monument is decorated and new flags are flying due to the generosity of some fine people. The Thompson Veterans Memorial Organization would like to thank those who donated, and the public for their continued support. See you next year.

Sincerely,

Thompson Veterans

Memorial Organization

Protect Your Children

Summer vacation is just around the corner – a period during which many children spend unsupervised time with friends at home and online. As Attorney General, I want to help keep our children safe as they enjoy the summer.

Studies have shown that more teens try marijuana for the first time in June and July than in any other months of the year. An average of 6,300 youths will experiment with marijuana during those two months alone. Internet usage among kids also is on the rise. Eighty-five percent of teens on the Internet use instant messaging, and 53 percent of them enter chat rooms regularly. And while 89 percent of sexual solicitations of children are made in those chat rooms or via instant messages, 42 percent of parents do not review the content of what their teens are saying online. But the predators do – there are an estimated 50,000 sexual predators online at any given moment.

Protecting our children from the predators – whether on the street or on the computer – is a top priority for all of us. I hope that you will take some time to talk with your children about the importance of protecting themselves and safeguarding against unwanted solicitations. Make sure you spend a few minutes reminding them of those dangers. Tell them not to share their personal information with anyone online. No photos. No phone numbers. No addresses. Predators just aren’t lurking in back alleys anymore. They are online, in chat rooms talking with our kids.

Pennsylvania’s future is our children. Let’s make sure we are there to guide them and give them the tools to make smart choices for themselves and their futures. Please visit my Web site at www.attorneygeneral.gov for tips and ideas.

Sincerely,

Tom Corbett

PA Attorney General

It Scares Me

If diesel fuel and kerosene are oils that are made before they are refined one more time and turned into gasoline, why do they cost more than unleaded gasoline?

I remember buying leaded gasoline as a young man for 30 cents a gallon; then they took the lead out and raised the price. Is something wrong with this picture? Now we all of a sudden have to import 60% of all our oil! Wow, I wonder if we had to import 60% of our food, and the price of food was controlled by our enemies, how long would it take for our enemies to overthrow us as a country? All the time knowing we could produce more food here.

60 % scares me I can tell you. It shows me plain as day that we need to open our eyes as a country. 60% is more than half! Call your attorney generals today, tell them we need to grow crops that will produce ethanol and use byproducts that we bury to make bio diesel. Demand a change in whoever is allowing us to slip behind, before 60% changes our world. 60% scares me!

Sincerely,

Peter A. Seman

Thompson, PA

Her Help Was Invaluable

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Commissioner MaryAnn Warren for putting politics aside for the good of Susquehanna County voters. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the manager of the office of Voter Registration decided to retire. This situation left a void in one of the most important offices in the county at a crucial time. Combine this with the fact that each precinct got a new electronic voting machine never before used in this county.

Commissioner Warren recognized the gravity of the situation and jumped in and helped the department make this primary election a success.

Her dedication to all voters kept her working long hours in order to help answer questions, get absentee ballots out as required, and many other tasks too numerable to mention, that are related to the process of an election.

It was brought to my attention by election workers as well as voters how invaluable Commissioner Warren's help was at such short notice. Everyone I talked to expressed a debt of gratitude for Commissioner Warrens' dedication to the people she represents.

I'd like to include a special thank you to all the employees in the courthouse who made this election run as smoothly as possible given the circumstances. Hats off to all.

John Hoffman

New Milford, PA

County Economic News

After meeting with Tony Ventello and Brian Driscoll, our Susquehanna County Economic Development Specialists, I am pleased to report on the progress of the following projects underway in Susquehanna County.

The Susquehanna County Telecommunications Infrastructure Development Project is currently being developed by NEP Telephone Company located in Forest City, PA. The first phase of the project is to construct and upgrade 20 to 30 cell towers in the eastern part of Susquehanna County. NEP’s next phase will be to build cell towers in the western part of the county so that there will be a network of seamless wireless communication available throughout Susquehanna County with no dead zones. The first phase is projected to cost $13,000,000 and is already underway. It is one of the most aggressive economic developments going on in our county. Upon completion, the wireless network will not only benefit residential customers but attract new businesses who depend on and demand wireless telecommunications as one of their conditions for locating and conducting business within Susquehanna County. Our hats are off to Ed Tourje and his Board of Directors at NEP for having the foresight and wisdom to invest in the future of Susquehanna County.

The Rail Service Enhancements Project is a transportation infrastructure project currently in the final planning stages for Susquehanna County. Within the next six months, the Susquehanna County Rail Authority expects to start constructing an intermodal rail transport facility to serve new and existing businesses to ship bulk products from Susquehanna County to other locations. The Rail Authority already has a signed contract for $2.5 million in funding and expects to have an additional $1.5 million very shortly. After completion of the shipping facility, they estimate applying for another $8 million in funding to upgrade the facility and provide additional shipping services to customers within our county. The Rail Authority is an autonomous, independent authority appointed by the Susquehanna County Commissioners and chaired by Roland Sharpe. They started out 2 1/2 years ago with nothing more than a dream and have had phenomenal success. The County Commissioners commend every member of the Susquehanna Rail Authority for their voluntary, tireless, and successful efforts in improving Susquehanna County’s economic and business climate.

Sincerely,

Jeff Loomis

County Commissioner

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Letters To The Editor MUST BE SIGNED. They MUST INCLUDE a phone number for "daytime" contact. Letters MUST BE CONFIRMED VERBALLY with the author, before printing. At that time you may request to withhold your name. Letters should be as concise as possible, to keep both Readers' and Editors' interest alike. Your opinions are important to us, but you must follow these guidelines to help assure their publishing.

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