Your Letters

State College just finished its municipal elections. Unexpectedly, the election included the selection of a new mayor. Bill Welch was running for re-election when he suddenly passed away — leaving a void in our local politics and, more importantly, in our community.

Mayor Welch was on both the Democratic and Republican tickets — perhaps a testimony to his impartiality, wisdom and fairness when it came to his hometown.

When an absence occurs at a late date, our election system allows for the two major political parties to select replacement candidates. No provision was made for reopening the petition period.

Many folks advocated that I run for mayor as an independent. Some advocates for a write-in candidacy were motivated by the timing and the lack of input that resulted from the selection of candidates by party officials; some of them were not pleased with one or both of the candidates selected; some were focused on a desire for impartiality in the mayor’s office; and some truly would like to have seen me serve as mayor.

Given the number of people who have asked me to consider running, had the option been available, I would have filed a petition to become the third candidate on the ballot.

In spite of my decision not to run a write-in campaign, many of the advocates persisted. They were all well-meaning. I respect them and cherish their friendship and sense of community and I am flattered and honored by their trust and impressed by their persistence. I am humbled the folks who wrote in my name. Thank you.

The election is over. State College faces tough decisions concerning finances, taxes, development, neighborhood security and, unfortunately, increasing disruptive behavior. None of these issues has an easy solution. The problems are interrelated and the solutions must be integrated. No one has all the answers.

With the election over, we have to find ways to work together to find novel, community- appropriate solutions.

I, for one, can do nothing but continue to pledge my willingness to work toward finding those solutions. I encourage others to continue to do the same.

Jeff Kern

State College

Say no to tolling I-80

The Rendell administration, along with Pennsylvania Turnpike officials, have filed a new application to install tolls on Interstate 80. This action comes despite loud protest from Pennsylvania businesses, which correctly argue that the massive cost of paying these tolls will undermine their attempts to maintain jobs and to revive an already reeling economy.

Simultaneously, a statewide grand jury based in Pittsburgh is investigating patronage and possible “pay to play” contracts at the Turnpike Commission, long known for notorious excessive spending, patronage and nepotism.

While turnpike officials dine out at five-star restaurants, Pennsylvania businesses and taxpayers are being told that tolling I-80 will be necessary to pay for some $900 million in road and infrastructure improvements.

The real story is this: If government officials would eliminate the corruption, fraud and abuse associated with the Turnpike Commission, there would be no need to toll I-80. In fact, if managed correctly, the turnpike could easily operate with a net profit that could be used to retire its debt and ultimately eliminate tolls, which was the original intent of the legislation that formed the turnpike.

On behalf of our 4,780-member companies, we ask all Pennsylvania businesses and taxpayers to express their outrage and opposition to this most recent attempt by Harrisburg to place another unnecessary financial burden on the state’s already overtaxed residents.

Ralph Pontillo Erie

The writer is president of the Manufacturer & Business Association.