Unfair target

Editor: Martin Luther King Jr. believed that protecting civil rights started with protecting economic rights - the ability of everyone to earn a fair wage and have their rights respected.

He believed that creating good jobs was key to improving the health of our community. He also knew that the ability to raise our voice in the political arena depended on our ability to raise our voice in our workplaces and our communities.

Now extreme legislators in the Pennsylvania House and Senate are threatening those rights, by singling out and limiting the voices of Pennsylvania's teachers, nurses and other public employees. They're doing this by pushing a bill that bars these public servants from choosing to pay their union dues through payroll deduction.

Payroll deduction is used for donations to many other organizations - including the United Way, supplemental insurance companies and charities. By singling out union dues and fees, this bill unfairly targets union members and their organization.

All of us want to work together to make our state a better place to live. Instead of attacking our rights, our Legislature should focus on strengthening Pennsylvania's middle class. HB 1057 and SB 1034 don't do that, and that is why I am urging state Rep. Sandra Major to join other area representatives in opposing these bills.



Counter outrages

Editor: Here's a few more "where is the outcry" for Tom Simpson ("Biased news media," Your Opinion, Jan. 30).

How about an outcry for the nonexistent WMD used as a fictional excuse for a budget-busting war? It's one from which many will bear physical and psychological scars for the rest of their lives.

Or the outcry against the politicians who took a federal surplus and managed to squander it all away and leave a massive debt?

Where's the outcry over a massive federal bailout of large banks and investment firms, a good portion used for bonus payments? And the rest? Well, we'll never know since accountability with our money wasn't required.

Or an outcry over huge handouts given to big agribusiness in the farm bill but food stamp funding being reduced?

The truth can set you free, but only if you want it to.



Not too old

Editor: On Jan. 19, an article ("What's old is new," Christopher Kelly column) about Armand Martinelli was highlighted in The Sunday Times.

Some have the opinion that anyone reaching the age of 82 should silently ride off into the sunset of life, never to be heard again.

I beg to differ. The accomplishments of seniors in all fields of endeavor is impressive. Madeline L'Engle said, "The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you have been."

When it comes to any service each individual should be judged on character, competence and merit. We are not all equal, however we are all unique - including an 82-year-old retired educator.



Invisible mayor

Editor: I want to thank the Pennsylvania American Water Co. for the swift and professional manner in which it responded and resolved the recent water main break on River Street in South Scranton.

I also want to thank acting Fire Chief Pat DeSarno for his response and planing for any emergencies that might have occurred during the three days we were without water.

I do find it alarming that recently elected Mayor Bill Courtright was nowhere to be seen - not at the scene nor at any water pickup locations. Former mayors Jim Connors and Chris Doherty would have responded and worked tirelessly to make sure the elderly and handicapped had water and were taken care of.

The mayor should stop worrying about replacing the boards and authorities and do what the people of the city of Scranton elected him for - attend to their safety and concerns.




Sole survivor

Editor: When Tom Gola died at 81 last week, he left former St. Rose of Carbondale basketball star Fran O'Malley as the last living member of the great La Salle College starting five that won a college basketball national championship in 1954.

I heard that game via radio from under my Army blanket during basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. Gola was his super sensational self, and the 6-foot, 3-inch O'Malley had a tremendous passing night, frequently feeding Gola for clutch baskets.

Paul O'Malley, Fran's older brother, was a student at La Salle at the time and attended the game when his kid brother played a major role in the win. Paul, ill for many years, also died last week in Rochester, N.Y. He was one of three living members of the team that won the first Catholic League title for St. Rose.

It came when the Roses beat St. Mary's of South Scranton in 1947 at the Crane Armory in Carbondale. The late Gen. Jerry O'Malley (no relation to Fran and Paul), playing with a cast on a broken foot, became a hero when he came into the game in the closing minutes and tossed in three points to seal the victory. He died as a four-star general. He was returning here to speak at an event when his Air Force jet crashed in 1985 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

In a conversation with Fran O'Malley, the former Eastern League basketball star told me he loved Tom Gola and his brother. He shed tears, remembering days filled with basketballs at St. Rose and La Salle.



Awesome support

Editor: First and foremost, we want to thank the entire Lynett family, The Times-Tribune, The Citizens' Voice, Sports Editor Chris Imperiale, sports writers Donnie Collins, Joby Fawcett, Marty Myers, and the entire sports department for all of the support they have given to our son and brother, Matt McGloin, over the past nine years.

As the current football season comes to an end, and we reflect on Matt's career, from the West Scranton Invaders and Penn State to the Oakland Raiders, we want to thank the people of Scranton and all of Northeast Pennsylvania for their overwhelming support.

Wherever we go, we receive well wishes and congratulations from friends and strangers alike. Matt's journey has been long, but the encouragement of family and friends has continued to provide inspiration through the ups and downs.

This support further proves that Scranton, the surrounding community and all of Northeast Pennsylvania is truly a great place to reside because of the people who live here.