Letters: Vote for a candidate who will reach across the aisle; Thanks to YMCA organizers

Waltz will reach across the aisle

For many years, we had a state representative for the 76th District who had a great talent for working with his colleagues, including those on the other side of the aisle. This is not what we have now with our current representative. We need a 76th District Representative who can listen as well as talk, and is willing to work toward agreeable compromise.

Compromise is the essence of our American Democracy. We need someone in the office that will prevent the gridlock we all hate. On Nov. 3, we have the opportunity to have a representative who will work with all colleagues by voting for Joe Waltz.

A bill was presented in the state House to renew the Emergency Telephone Service and Establishing the 911 Fund at practically no cost to taxpayers (205 Act 12, HB 911). Only two representatives in the entire state voted against this potentially life-saving bill: our current 76 th District Representative and one other Republican.

This time, fortunately, this beneficial legislation was passed by both houses. Is this the kind of leadership we deserve? Waltz studies the issues that affect the 76th District and is on top of them. He will listen to local citizens and officials, and be a dependable voice in the PA State House to achieve progress. Waltz puts people over party and special interests. He will work for all the residents of our District.

On Nov. 3, vote for Waltz for state representative.

Support legislation to curb climate change

Recent events in Washington state highlight the challenges of mitigating the effects of climate change. The Army Corps of Engineers operates nine hydroelectric dams in Washington. The dams produce large, shallow reservoirs which soak up sunshine and can become lethally hot for salmon. Climate change contributes.

To get federal help, Washington state notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1998 that river temperatures exceeded state water quality standards. EPA and Washington reached an agreement in 2000 that EPA would issue the needed specification for safe river temperatures. But the EPA did not act.

Fishing and environmental groups sued EPA to compel production of a specification. A federal District Court issued an Order in 2018, but the EPA appealed. After a US Appeals Court confirmed the order, the EPA issued a specification for water temperature in May 2020. On July 29, 2020, the Corps of Engineers appealed to the Washing State Pollution Control Hearings Board. A hearing is scheduled for August 2021.

I hope efforts to protect the salmon are successful, but we need to curb climate change at the source, and Pennsylvanians can help. When fossil fuels are burned, greenhouse gases are generated, contributing to global warming. A bill before the U.S. Congress (the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR 763) uses market forces to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, much the way higher cigarette prices help decrease smoking. Tell your members of Congress you support HR 763. You’ll help lower temperatures for both salmon and humans.

Thanks to YMCA for great event

I extend a heartfelt thank you to Josh (never a serpentine on my watch) Cone of the State College YMCA for pulling together an amazing team of staff and volunteers to hold a sprint triathlon at the Governors Park in Bellefonte on Aug. 15 All COVID safety protocols were in place and everyone including the competitors adhered to the safety procedures. It was an amazing event.

The enthusiastic volunteers cheering us on along the course and especially as we climbed the final hill to the finish were appreciated by all. And the cow bell ringer was brilliant. Never has a cow bell been played with such enthusiasm. I know I speak for all the competitors — thank you to everyone for putting on a great sprint tri! We had the easy part of the event.