Letters: Thinking of staff, residents of The Oaks; Time is running out to apply for mail-in ballot
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.
Thinking of staff, residents of The Oaks
We were sad to hear that COVID has appeared at The Oaks in Pleasant Gap. Our mother/mother-in-law spent a few of her best, last years at The Oaks, and we got to know the staff and some of the residents. Transitioning an elder family member from independent living to assisted living is not easy, and we quickly knew that we had found a loving, caring place. We hold in our thoughts those stricken by COVID, the residents at The Oaks, families of residents and the wonderful staff at The Oaks and Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries.
Time is running out to apply for mail-in ballot
If you haven’t already applied for a mail-in ballot, we encourage you to do so NOW. You can apply for your mail-in ballot online at www.centrecountypa.gov/votebymail. Or you may contact the Centre County Board of Elections to request that a mail-in ballot application be mailed to you, 814-355-6703.
Fill the application out with a black ink pen. Sign it. Mail it.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26th. Remember that there is no mail delivery on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th.
You may also drop it into the new ballot drop election mailbox, no stamp required, right outside the main entrance into the Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes St., Bellefonte. The mailbox is emptied by Centre County Elections Office personnel twice daily.
Wear masks correctly to protect others
On a recent Monday morning, as I waited to enter Wegmans, I was dismayed to notice that the employee in charge of the door was wearing her mask pulled down to expose her nose. I’ve observed this among patrons of several other businesses in Centre County, but it was particularly disheartening to see the example set by an employee at the front door.
As someone who wears glasses, I’m fully aware of the discomfort and inconvenience that a properly worn mask can cause. And I am sure it is even more uncomfortable to wear it for long periods on a work shift. But if we can learn anything from this pandemic, it is this: What I do affects you. What you do affects me.
Come on, Centre County. Surely “we are” better than this!
Miles Township monument not historically accurate
Truth often hurts, but it is the lie that leaves the scars. Memorial Day will soon be upon us. In years to come families will go to local veterans monuments to honor loved ones, lost in a time of war. For Miles Township residents, their local veterans monument does not accurately show who fought in the Vietnam War. It does show who was in the service during that time, nothing more.
The Vietnam War was not like wars of the past. Many people didn’t want to participate in it, some had no choice. One Miles Township Vietnam veteran told me he didn’t see the problem when the township removed the stars that were etched beside the names of the Vietnam veterans. He said he felt that everyone was willing to go if called upon. This is what his group of friends felt? Many of his same friends were also ones who found a way to not go! That is why we need to make the monument 100% historically correct. If all veterans are listed upon it truthfully, and records fact checked, and grouped under the guidelines of the Veterans Affairs Office, the monument will not be a lie, as it is now. It is a fact it is incorrect and relatives have no way of telling who is a Vietnam veteran. Why not honor the Vietnam War veterans?