Editorials / Opinions

"I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime."
~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

All of our actions have consequences. This relationship is as dependable as the ripples created by throwing a pebble into a lake. Consequences can be either good or bad. Problems arise when we don't think about or recognize the consequences of our actions.

When you are not aware of the consequences of your behavior, two things may happen. In the case where the consequences are negative, you run the risk of repeating the same mistake. When you are pleased with the consequences, you may also fail to duplicate the behavior that gave you the desired results. In either case, you will be frustrated.

For example, how far could you get driving a car if you didn't comprehend the consequences of the various controls? Without an understanding of the operation of the steering wheel, gas pedal, and brakes, you wouldn't remain on the road for very long.

Your life works the same way. It's important to understand the consequences of your actions. Many of the consequences you experience are predictable. However, there may be some you didn't anticipate. They are part of your unending education.

Unexpected consequences provide you with new insights. Invaluable knowledge can be gained by analyzing exactly what happened and why. The discoveries made in this fashion provide you with new information you can use to reach your goals.

Ideally, when assessing various courses of action, an analysis of the corresponding potential consequences enables you to make the best possible decision. This is the basis of the carpenter's adage, "measure twice, cut once." You have probably been told numerous times to think before you act.

Acting impulsively, without thinking, is the same as cutting without measuring at all. This approach is similar to attempting to drive a car by cranking the steering wheel in one direction and then correcting by cranking in the other direction. You will run off the road in short order.

Not every decision you make will be perfect. Your objective is to take the most appropriate action based on the information you have available. If the actual consequences are not what you wanted, you must then take different action and keep going. Don't waste any time lamenting what you should have done differently.

Ignoring or denying the link between your action and the corresponding consequences will often make things worse. You won't be able to take control of your life unless you see yourself as being responsible for the outcomes you are experiencing.

When faced with undesirable consequences, you want to first identify the cause. Next, determine the action you need to take to mitigate, change, or eliminate them. Then get in gear and do whatever is necessary to correct the situation. Action, not complaining, brings results.

If you fail to take personal responsibility for your actions, you will exacerbate your situation. Those who blame others for their circumstances develop a victim mentality. The result is a belief that they have no power over the direction of their destiny. This type of thinking leads people to accept suffering as normal and unavoidable.

The only way to affect different consequences is to alter your actions. This is accomplished by being proactive in every area of your life. Then when something happens you don't like, your first response will be "what do I have to do to fix this?"

Sincerely,

Bryan Golden

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. Email Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper. © 2025 Bryan Golden

In August 2024, nearly every county in our region was impacted by severe flooding from Tropical Storm Debby. Towns were evacuated and residents had to be rescued as flood waters engulfed homes, farms and roads. Tragically, a life was lost in the storm, underscoring the devastating power of the flooding and the urgency of the response.

In the days following, teams of volunteers surveyed the damage and disaster relief organizations mobilized to help. Community members came out in droves to donate food, water and cleaning supplies. The resilience and determination of the people there is truly inspiring and in the face of overwhelming destruction, our first responders showed extraordinary courage and dedication.

As elected officials, we are responsible for putting forth policies that protect the constituents we serve and help local officials respond more quickly and efficiently to emerging problems. This includes changes to ensure better maintenance of creeks and streams to help minimize the impact of flooding.

For the past several sessions, we've sponsored legislation addressing stream maintenance and giving counties and municipalities greater flexibility in handling obstructions and flood-related hazards in local waterways.

Senate Bill 403 and House Bill 327 allow local government organizations to apply for a permit for continuing maintenance for at least 10 years for the streams within their jurisdiction. Senate Bill 404 will create a program that allows counties to opt in to address hazards within their streams by granting emergency maintenance permits in consultation with their county conservation district.

We spent a great deal of time on the ground talking with residents and emergency responders in the days following the flood. The overwhelming message was the need to be able to get in the streams to clean them. Right now, doing so requires a permit from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, a process that is lengthy, tedious and inefficient.

Proper stream maintenance protects people, land and bridges from flood damage. The need is immediate, and our local officials are in the best position to manage and maintain our streams. Eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and red tape can help prevent more widespread damage and destruction.

Despite the Senate's bipartisan approval of Senate Bills 403 and 404 for several consecutive sessions, all three bills await action from the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee. The Committee plans to hold a hearing on Feb. 9 to examine the issue, but until the House moves forward, local governments and counties remain unable to implement the long-term stream maintenance strategies these bills were designed to support. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time until another storm wreaks havoc on our area. We need action now.

We encourage residents and landowners who were impacted by flooding to contact Chairman Greg Vitali and your representative to voice your support for the bills. These are valuable and needed changes that allow our local communities to do the work safely and efficiently, protecting lives and livelihoods in the Northern tier and across the commonwealth.

Sincerely,

Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) and

Rep. Clint Owlett (R-68)

Sen. Gene Yaw was elected to represent the 23rd Senatorial District consisting of Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties. He serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Rep. Clint Owlett was elected to represent the 68th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving all of Tioga County and parts of Bradford County.

In our American society, people are ranked in a hierarchy in which those with certain identities are valued more than others. For people in higher-status categories, their lives are worth more than those of lower-status.

It follows that the death of a low-status person isn't as concerning as the death of a high-status person. The death or killing of a person will be ranked by the sympathetic response it elicits and the importance that is assigned to their lives.

Concerning the status of the two white people recently killed in Minnesota and the public reaction to them, see below.

Ranking from low status to high status: 6 - Queer woman; 5 - Woman; 4 - White woman; 3 – Man; 2 - White man; 1 - White man carrying a gun.

The murder of the victim with identity number 1 was a big deal; the killing of the person with identity number 6, not so much.

There are lots of other identity groups that reside at the bottom rung of our social structure: dark-skinned people, non-Christians, immigrants, all queer people, disabled persons, and more marginalized groups.

And there are other highly regarded, high-ranking identity groups at the top: wealthy elites (billionaires), white children, Christian men, celebrities of all stripes, including politicians.

Not pleasant to think about for those with a morality that embraces equity. But it's the nature of our society, something to acknowledge, comment on and fight against.

Sincerely,

Raymond Dennis, Susquehanna, PA