Letters: Independent voice on SCASD board; Unique qualifications for judge
Independent voice on SCASD board
Growing up in State College brought many benefits, one of the greatest being a public school system that was second to none. My two siblings and I attended State College Area School District from kindergarten through 12th grade. I reflect on those times with memories of amazing teachers who worked alongside parents and administrators. I believe that my SCASD education set me up for a lifetime of learning and success.
My wife and I have raised our three children in SCASD as well — our youngest two are graduating seniors. Our experience with the school district has been stellar — they have had some amazing teachers, and the educational opportunities and available classes in the high school are unparalleled. We have been blessed with SCASD.
A key part to supporting the administration, teachers, children and parents is the school board. I appreciate the integrity and independence of Laurel Zydney as I have observed school board operations for the last several years. Laurel is a listener, is not afraid to ask tough questions, and is not afraid to be an independent voice. Laurel always has the best interest of SCASD students, parents and teachers in mind when considering her positions on various subjects. I do not agree with every single position, however, I do know and trust that she has thoroughly evaluated options and doesn’t place politics ahead of our children’s education.
I am proud to cast my vote for Laurel Zydney for reelection.
Unique qualifications for judge
As we head to vote on Tuesday, I write to share why I support Gopal Balachandran’s campaign for judge. When he ran for Borough Council in 2021, as a neighbor and friend, I knew he’d be an important, yet gentle voice and conscientious presence. Now in that role, I have appreciated his thoughtful questioning about an array of topics, seeking through his queries to respectfully learn more. As a fellow parent of young kids, I’ve seen his dedication to supporting youth through a variety of community roles as well as frequently welcoming my kids to his home and backyard. I appreciate deeply that we have such a committed public servant, and role model for our children. As I value Gopal’s inclusion of all, I would also welcome greater racial diversity in our courts.
I also know he has deep experience that would serve the people of Centre County well. At times, his current role as a professor at the law school has been dismissed even though I know from professional collaborations with other law school clinics of the incredible work these students and their supervising professors do as they learn through direct engagement with the law. I value deeply his experience with the Pardon Project, supporting a chance at better opportunities for those who have completed their sentences, as well as his years of public defender work. These experiences suggest that he will be mindful of ensuring that he applies the law fairly, knowing deeply the consequences of the job.
Misrepresentation of Rater
Michael Kulikowski’s May 5 CDT letter to the editor is disturbingly incorrect. Mr. Kulikowski wrote of “the kind of clubby, hand-shaking insider politics that ensure that nothing ever changes, and inequities persist,” insinuating that Julia Rater, of all people, is part of a good old boys’ network. Is sexism no longer a thing? We now lump women into good old boys’ networks?
It would be comical if these words weren’t so harmful. I don’t understand why the writer would so thoroughly misrepresent Julia and her hard-earned achievements. Julia Rater was a first-generation college student who understands emotional and financial hardship. She lost her father when she was in her 20s. She grew up supporting her developmentally disabled sister, which led her to serve on the board of Strawberry Fields for 16 years and volunteer for Special Olympics. Julia believes in the power of community. She has a big heart and stands up against racism, homophobia — and for those who are marginalized. Julia is mom to three daughters and supports women and women’s right to choose. Julia Rater has achieved great success in a man’s world. To suggest that she succeeded in life or as an attorney because she was part of some good old boys’ network is not just sexist — it’s ignorant and shamefully dishonest. This is her first run for political office — and I, for one, steadfastly support her.
Grateful for honest people
In an age where the news seems to be mainly about the many tragedies that are happening — around the world and close to home — here’s a bit of positive news.
Back at the beginning of April I lost an envelope containing $100 in cash, a check and my unsold Rotary Spaghetti Dinner tickets. My wife and I looked everywhere for it, but to no avail. I was very upset — not so much about the loss of the money, but that I had somehow managed to throw away the envelope.
Well, one day in early May we got a call from Wegmans. It seems that I had dropped the envelope in the parking lot as I left the store, and a very honest person had found it and turned it in. It took the Wegmans people almost a month to figure out who it belonged to and contact us, but they did!
So, among the many scoundrels who get all the media attention, it’s reassuring to know that there are some honest and diligent people here in Happy Valley. Thanks, Wegmans, and thanks even more to the person who did the right thing.
Observation wasn’t attack
It is a sad day when a valid observation is called a nativist attack (May 5 letter to the editor). I read Ron Filippelli’s letter supporting Julia Rater for judge in Centre County (April 24). In his letter, he states the obvious, one candidate has significantly more experience than the other in matters before the court. He also states that he has observed that one candidate has years of diverse community experience. There are no racist, ethic or sexist overtones in that statement — the conclusion is obvious: One candidate, Julia Rater, has more local and more court room experience than the other candidate, period. There is no reference to ethnicity, only to experience, especially experience before the Centre County Court. It is obvious that Ron values that experience.
It used to be the one could express factual observations and contrasts between candidates without being called a bigot. I’ve known and respected Ron for years. He has never expressed bigoted feelings as a friend, counselor or mayor. Like Ron, I will make my vote for judge based on my judgment based factual observations of experience and qualifications, as well as on statements by each candidate. I sincerely hope all residents of the Centre County will do the same.
Hope for the future, with the right leaders
I’ve been suffering from a kind of PTSD from the MAGA threat to freedom, civil rights, democracy, and the planet itself, but I occasionally see hope for the future.
I was moved to tears when I heard NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman talking about the diverse Artemis crew for the impending moon launch, the first step in 20 years toward a voyage to Mars.
Imagine humans on Mars in 20 years!
I’m a lawyer, not a scientist, so the idea that some folks among us have the ingenuity, imagination, courage, work ethic, and can-do spirit to explore the universe boggles my mind. These modern-day explorers are, paraphrasing Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, boldly going were none have gone before.
On Planet Earth, where we seem to be devolving rather than evolving, we treat this planet, and each other, like there’s no tomorrow. I hope (against hope) that our political leaders figure out how to get past petty politics and pursuit of power, to inspire and unify the body politic. It’s past time to apply whatever skills they actually have to solving daunting problems on earth.
If they can’t do that, its time to send them packing to make way for representatives who can get the job done.
It’s up to each and everyone of us to demand that of our leaders.
Otherwise, we’ll have humans on Mars, but we’ll be living here on a dystopian planet.
Supremely unethical
It’s hard to know which is more disgraceful — the Supreme Court’s refusal to develop a formal code of ethics or the GOP’s scoffing at the idea.
Clarence Thomas declined to recuse himself from a case involving Donald Trump’s subpoenaed documents (we know his wife was a leading MAGA operative working to nullify Biden’s victory). Recent revelations show that Thomas also accepted ultra-lavish gifts from billionaire Harlan Crow, a Republican mega-donor and hardcore conservative who, despite claims to the contrary, had business before the court. Crow also paid for private school tuition for Thomas’ grandnephew.
The right-wing billionaire benefactor also purchased Thomas’ ancestral home. The transaction was unreported. More recently, Thomas “forgot” to report on their tax return a few hundred thousand dollars that his wife earned.
It has recently been reported that Justice Neil Gorsuch sold a property to a CEO of a law firm that has extensive business before the high court. Jane Roberts, the wife of Chief Justice Roberts, made millions for recruiting lawyers for top firms, some of whom have business with the Supreme Court.
These are obvious ethical breaches. If it were a Democrat-leaning court and a Republican Congress, you can bet there’d be three impeachments. But I’m not suggesting we go backward, only forward. The court must impose a binding code of ethics — and live by it. Otherwise, the court has no legitimacy. This should be a bipartisan issue. These justices can’t be above the laws they purport to uphold.
Million-dollar decisions
Is the PSU trustees capital committee a rubber stamp?
Apparently yes. At the May 4 public meeting the committee unanimously approved six athletic projects, including Phase I of Beaver Stadium, totaling $160 million. On May 5, the full board, except Barry Fenchak, voted unanimously to approve them all, citing the fact that no tuition or general appropriations will be used. However, Barry expressed concern over our ever-increasing PSU debt load and the possibility that we may, at some time down the road, decide to solicit Harrisburg for a general appropriation to support the stadium construction. All this in the context of last year’s $140 million operating deficit and our current year’s 3% rescission of our academic programs.
To put these million-dollar investments in perspective for ordinary Pennsylvanians like me, consider that last year I added a deck to my house. Based (solely) on the trustees public comments on May 4 and 5, my due diligence in comparing alternative designs, materials and labor appears to have greatly exceeded that of the trustees current million-dollar decisions. I hope that I am wrong.
The May 4/5 meetings also unveiled trustee priorities in their capital expenditure road map for the next 5 years. Education and General capital expenditures will decrease by 45% and Athletics/Business Operations will increase by 20%. While our U.S. News ranking continues to plummet (to which our board seems oblivious), at least we can soon come and watch a game in Beaver Stadium in January. We Are.