Letters: Hopes for pedestrian plaza to be revisited; Senate needs to conduct impartial trial
Hopes for pedestrian plaza to be revisited
With newfound interest, I was surprised by the decision to reject the Summer on Allen project, as reported in Wednesday’s CDT. Evan Myers hit the nail on the head about needing to take risks in order to have a vibrant downtown. I hope Borough Council will revisit this project’s viability for yet another downtown attraction.
I enjoyed the first Arts Festival in July 1967 — works by local artists leaned against orange snow fencing along College Avenue. As Vietnam raged, we put aside that conflict to admire things of beauty.
As the festival evolved, it also became a destination for musical events and activities for children and adults in the block between town and gown.
As State College grew, so did services we now take for granted — buses, taxis, CATA Ride for seniors and multiple parking garages.
If someone wants to visit the downtown, a mother taking a child to Schlow or a senior citizen needing to see a dentist, it’s easy to arrange parking or transportation. Ask a neighbor for information or do a Google search to learn of our myriad services. Many seniors are now computer literate, thanks in part to OLLI classes.
State College’s long history proves that creative thinking, planning and implementation by unsung volunteers can provide a warm welcome to visitors from near and far. We should not live with “but, what if.”
As someone who loves writing and has many opinions, I am amazed that this is my first letter to the editor.
Senate needs to conduct impartial trial
Congress has a sworn oath to exercise Constitutional duty.
Article 1, Section 2
The House of Representatives … shall have the sole power of impeachment.
Section 3
The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments.
When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation.
When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.
Section 9
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
Trump’s actions — threatening national security, Constitution Law, fair elections, and Ukraine in a hot war with Russia — need to be thoroughly examined. Release of documents, tapes and testimony withheld by Trump is critical.
The Presidential Office, Supreme Court and Congress is our three legged stool unable to stand on one leg.
Our Republic is at risk when the president is enabled to act as an unrestrained authoritarian.
Keeping president accountable is an urgent matter
It is important to remember that Jesus was born into dark times. “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men” (Matthew 2:16).
It is urgent to make time to rally, call and write to our Senators, and sign petitions to hold Donald J. Trump accountable under the laws of our Constitution. In the words of Hillel the Elder, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”