Letters: Thankful for local grocery store workers; Lawmakers stalling on redistricting reform

Editor’s note:The Centre Daily Times welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the June 2 primary election and will accept letters that are received by May 22. Election letters will be published through May 29. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates. Letters of 250 words or fewer can be sent to cdtletters@centredaily.com.

Thankful for local grocery store workers

I want to say thank you to local grocery store workers for inspiring me with your work during this time.

When I first heard that everything was closing, I thought I would starve because I thought the grocery stores would be closed too. But you didn’t close, you took your selfless attitude and kept working so we didn’t run out of food to eat. It made me feel like people cared about me. You didn’t have to keep working but you did. That perseverance inspired me, and I appreciate that. It inspired me to keep going though my everyday life even though I wanted to just give up.

When we go to a grocery store, you are always helping us stay safe by wearing masks and keeping your distance from others and that makes me think that you care about others safety. So thank you for being the grocery store workers you are. The time we are in now is a little weird, but your work makes me feel safe and secure.

Support Ash Khare for delegate

I am Ash Khare, a retired metallurgical engineer of Warren County and I have announced my candidacy for delegate to the GOP National Convention this coming August in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the seven persons running for the election of three from our 15th Congressional District of Congressman G.T. Thompson, my ballot position is 6.

Politically, I am a Trump delegate and was picked by the Trump team in 2016 when I won a seat from the then 5th Congressional District of Congressman G.T. Thompson.

Additionally, I was one of the 20 persons picked by candidate Trump to serve on the PA GOP Electoral College in 2016. My local paper wrote a story in December 2016 identifying me as “Mr. 270.” Congressman Thompson took that paper to the Oval Office, which the president signed with a thank you.

An elected “Member State Committee” representing Warren County within the state GOP since 1990, I also served in the elected position of NW Caucus Chairman of the State GOP from 1990 to 2008 where I was also member of the Leadership Committee, representing 1/6th of Pennsylvania. I have attended all GOP National Conventions since 1992 as delegate, alternate delegate or guest. I served on the PA GOP Electoral College in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2016 and was honored to vote for President Trump at the 2016 Electoral College Vote since Trump won Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania primary election is now on Tuesday June 2. Please vote.

Lawmakers stalling on redistricting reform

COVID-19 is not the only urgent matter facing Pennsylvanians. Despite the coronavirus, the U.S. Census for this decade is underway, and new federal and state political districts will shortly be drawn with the data.

If reforms don’t pass this session we will live with the consequences of gerrymandered redistricting long after the virus is gone. But key legislative committees continue to sit on bills to reform our corrupt districting process. Fair district bills are widely supported by Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum. Leaders in Harrisburg are stalling because redistricting reform would shift power to voters from politicians protected by gerrymandering.

As the end of the session nears, Harrisburg is moving less urgent bills — unrelated to either the pandemic or redistricting reforms — quickly through committees. Voters need to know that the public health crisis is no excuse for inaction on bills that will address the disease infecting democracy in Pennsylvania.

Call State Senator Corman, 355-0477, and your state representative (Irvin 644-2996, Benninghoff 355-1300, Borowitz 353-8780, or Conklin 238-5477). Demand action on Senate Bills SB2022 and SB2023 and their House versions HB22 and HB23!