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Letters to the Editor Policy

Invest In Quality Early Education

As our legislators begin negotiating Pennsylvania’s budget, I urge everyone to make sure that investments in quality early learning opportunities for our youngest children remain a priority.

Since 2002, Pennsylvania has worked to create a seamless system of early learning opportunities for children from birth to age five. Programs range from providing a registered nurse to support first-time, low-income mothers through the Nurse Family Partnership, making it possible for child care programs to meet their goals of providing quality early care and education through Keystone STARS, to giving families an option of high quality preschool at no cost to them through Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. Each child is unique, and each family’s needs are different. I believe that every child is Pennsylvania’s future, and we should do our best to help every child reach his/her promise.

Having seen the positive effects of quality early education on our rural county, I urge our legislators to support proposed increases to Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS, Child Care Works, Early Intervention and Nurse-Family Partnership.

Nearly half of all licensed child care providers in Susquehanna County participate in the voluntary Keystone STARS initiative. The program gives STAR rankings to those who meet high standards in such areas as curriculum, professional development and learning environment.

More three- and four-year olds in Susquehanna County received high quality pre-kindergarten this year, thanks to Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. Forest City Regional School District and Treasure House Child Development Center in Montrose provided free quality pre-k through the state program.

Now is the time we need to take a serious look at how we spend our money. Investing in quality early education is one of the best investments in Pennsylvania’s future. Studies show for every dollar we invest in quality early education, we can save between $7 and $17. This is an investment we cannot afford to ignore.

Sincerely,

Stephnie Thornton

Program Manager

Susquehanna County CARES

Can You Believe This?

Of course, I read this in a magazine, so here is how it goes. They are making paper products out of elephant dung. It said that an elephant puts out 250 pounds of dung a day. That is a little difficult to believe. Now, Thailand is loaded with elephants, and that is the source of the dung.

This all takes place in Canada. Are they way ahead of us in this source of paper material, or what is going on here? Ben Franklin said you can only believe half of what you read, so I don’t know. The magazine said they had also considered Panda dung, apparently it makes better quality paper, but I think they would have a supply problem, considering the size of a Panda compared to an elephant!

Not to confuse you, but something on a serious vein. New Milford and the two bridges on Church Street that cross the two creeks, Salt Lick and Highlands, have been out of use since the flood of June, 2006. To me, this is ridiculous. The people in the town headquarters say they are waiting for help from the state or feds. I say, wait broke the wagon and it will break New Milford, my hometown, if they don’t get on the ball!

Sincerely,

Hayden B. Aldrich

New Milford, PA

“One Final Victory”

Mrs. Patti Tierney Walker, Mountain View girl’s varsity soccer coach for the 2007-2008 season, led the Northern Tier girls soccer team to a 2-1 victory in the 6th Annual Unico Soccer Cup. The victory came after a shoot out; the first shoot out in the event’s history. It was an exciting game, to say the very least. Mrs. Walker was asked to coach the Unico team after the Mountain View girls’ varsity team tied for first place ranking during their fall season. The Unico team included senior girls from Lakeland, Forest City, Montrose, Mountain View, Western Wayne, Blue Ridge, Honesdale, Delaware Valley, North Pocono, and Wallenpaupack area school districts. The Unico cup is sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of Unico which facilitates a series of events that allows the organization to make positive differences in children’s lives. Proceeds from this Unico cup went to “The Northeast Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Friendship House.”

Mrs. Walker is an ideal role model for young women and female athletes. Some of her many accomplishments include: mother of five; B.S. in Elementary/Early Childhood Education; manages a preschool; Abington Heights – swim team, field hockey, volleyball, and relay team. (state championship.); certified Pilates instructor; MV Elementary Ski Club/ski school instructor/avid snowboarder; six-year coach for MV Youth Soccer; two-time winner of the Lackawanna County Commissioners Cup - U14 girls’ division; one-year coach for Mountain View junior high girls – undefeated season; one-year coach for MV varsity girls - tied for first place, third place at Towanda tournament.

The Mountain View School District Board of Education, by a 7-2 vote, chose to remove Mrs. Walker from the varsity coaching position. I had just begun to think that I could no longer be surprised. At this point, I have no idea why such a decision was made. The school board meeting minutes have not yet been posted on the district’s website. Mrs. Walker tells me that she has no idea why such a decision was made, and as far as she knew they were satisfied with her performance. No reason for the termination was given to her. I urge all concerned parents to contact their respective school board members.

They have hired a male coach for the Girls’ Varsity Coach position, but I know nothing about him or his background. I do know that, in the eight years my family has been involved with MV Youth Soccer, I have not had the occasion to meet him.

The Mountain View School Board has, once again, made some other local school district very lucky. As of this writing, Mrs. Walker has had one concrete offer to coach girls’ soccer in a neighboring district. Other young women will receive the benefit of Mrs. Walker’s years of experience – unfortunately, should Mrs. Walker accept another Coaching role, her new team will not include her own three daughters.

Sincerely,

Maria Gulbin- Suhadolnik.

Carbondale, PA

Signs Of The Future?

I recently was given a copy of a letter written by Francis W. Fruehan regarding the proposed zoning ordinance for the NTC. Thank you sir, that was one eye-opener for me. I think it should be mandatory reading for anyone who is considering zoning regulations.

Section 1104.2, regarding signs on vehicles caught my eye. I wonder if the group has ever heard of the US DOT. They might be surprised to learn that all vehicles that are used for business shall be identified, on both doors, with the name, address, telephone, and DOT or PUC number. Furthermore, that oversight can generate a road-side prayer meeting, and tithing. My issue is that you can be parked in your driveway and be an outlaw by having a sign on your vehicle. What!? I have seen people stop and speak to a business-person about the service they provide, and actually receive the work. In a rural area like this, one needs any and all help possible to advertise your business. I do know of a couple folks who groused about the expense of the signs, and now realize that was a blessing in disguise.

Now the section says the vehicle cannot be visible from a public right-of-way, if it is apparent you are advertising your business. I have to think, what purpose does one think a sign serves? Section 1109.6 regards off-premise signs. There is language that one will need to incur engineering costs for this privilege to let customers know where you are. Heaven forbid, someone, or act of God, would wreck your sign. It won't be back. I can understand that to many, signs lose the effect, and certainly clutter up the view, but do you really need to regulate signs?

I wonder who is on this board. I have been around this county a time or two, and do not see the problem of sign overcrowding. Is this just a copy-cat of ordinances taken from an over-crowded sign community? Are these proposed ordinances really a result of living in Susquehanna County, or is it a knee-jerk reaction to possibilities?

I realize laws are necessary to keep us civilized, yet I wonder, here in the Endless Mountains, we know most of our neighbors and if we were to put in a pig farm, junkyard, or stone quarry, or other undesirable business, our neighbors would probably already know of the plans. I do not think that zoning is always necessary. I think that for the last 150 years of this township, neighbors have always shown respect for one another, without it being mandated.

I have to agree with Mr. Fruehan, this proposal will give one heartburn, and should be seriously looked at and talked about. They say there is no excuse for not knowing the law, but this isn't a law being passed by lawyers, this is a law being passed by citizens who cannot be voted out. I wonder if that's legal. I guess I can thank the good lord that I live on the east side, and will be vigilant on any of these proposals brought to my town. You western folks, pay attention, it will cost you plenty if you don't.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Allen

Summersville, PA


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. 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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