Letters: Outdoor recreation a sound investment at CCCF; Dush’s political games had a cost

Outdoor recreation a sound investment at CCCF

Centre County Correctional Facility has an opportunity to support and fund outdoor recreation for incarcerated people. Increased interest rates have increased anticipated revenue for the year to date. The county’s 2024 budget expected the revenue from interest rates to be approximately $1.5 million for the year. Based on the Treasurer’s public comments on local radio, the revenue from interest appears to be over $3.5 million. Most of this money will go into the general and capital improvement funds.

Creating an outdoor recreational space for the Centre County Correctional Facility is a drastic capital investment and improvement to the facility. Numerous studies support that outdoor recreation not only improves the physical well-being of people, but also improves their mental health if they get at least one hour of sunlight a day. The use of outdoor recreational facilities also improves social skills for incarcerated people, which is vital for the successful reentry into society.

Too many people think of prison as punishment but it is also intended to have an element of correction. In order to reduce recidivism and to give formerly incarcerated people an opportunity to be successful, outdoor recreation is an investment that will have a positive impact and return on investment. It’s not just a morally sound decision, it’s a fiscally responsible one for Centre County.

Please ask your Centre County Commissioners to set aside these funds for the outdoor recreation feasibility study and to set aside such funds to construct the outdoor recreation space as soon as possible.

Dush’s political games had a cost

State Senator Dush falsely accused 77 federal voters of fraud, submitting the charges to the Centre County Board of Elections two business days prior to the election. Federal voters are U.S. citizens, working overseas, who have the legal right to vote in federal elections. The voters, including our daughter, were falsely accused by Senator Dush of a third-degree felony and, if sentenced, to pay a fine not exceeding $15,000, and imprisoned of not more than 7 years, or both. The voters had 20 hours from notification to defend the legitimacy of their votes. As anyone can imagine, being charged with a felony is a nerve-racking and upsetting experience for those who, with good intent, legally submitted their ballots. When Dush realized he had no case, he withdrew his motion. After the hearing was closed, it was uplifting to hear the potentially disenfranchised voters defend their right to vote, and also, experience the professionalism of the board of elections, on a day that ended with a bomb threat — Election Day.

It is important for people to elect public officials that care about their constituents, are competent, and do not play political games, costing the taxpayers unnecessary expense and anxiety. We can do so much better than Dush, with his unscrupulous behavior, representing us in Harrisburg. As citizens and voters, we need to realize the importance of our vote and support the best people among us for elected positions. In a democracy, who we elect reflects who we are, and Senator Dush does not represent us well.

Casino shouldn’t be near Penn State

Isn’t it the mandate of the Penn State Board of Trustees to make important decisions for the university’s welfare? And if so, why hasn’t the board taken a stand on whether a casino should be permitted to be located so close to campus? Isn’t it crystal clear that this would harm the students?

And don’t I see a conflict of interest here, since one of the former board members is the chief investor in this casino? And don’t I see retribution as the motive for attempting to remove Barry Fenchak, the only board member to question the casino, from the board?

I am not a Penn State graduate, nor a faculty member, but I do live in this community, at the Village at Penn State. And I do know about the harm that gambling can do — because my own son developed a gambling addiction at a local casino when he was about 21.

One of the reasons that I came to live in State College was my admiration for Penn State, but your conduct here deeply disappoints me. It tarnishes your reputation — I wouldn’t send my child here. Please reconsider this matter immediately.

Consequences of Trump vote

Did you vote for Trump? Consider the consequences for you and your loved ones. The Affordable Care Act, which you were told was the Obama Care Act, will be repealed. Your loved ones who depended on funding from this act may die from lack of treatment. Do you have children currently safe from polio, measles, mumps? As such vaccinations become optional, thousands of children will needlessly die. Do you understand our climate crisis? The climate has already heated to record levels. Trump doesn’t understand or believe in human-caused climate change. Home insurance is already skyrocketing or unavailable in many areas. Are you going to be largely dependent on Social Security and Medicare during retirement? Contact your children now about living with them. Gun murder is the leading cause of children’s death in the U.S. and will get worse. Do you believe in the promise of education, the essential element of all democracies? Prepare to see its funding diminished. Do you believe in the equality of women? Prepare to see them becoming only sex objects. Are you an ethnic minority? Not a single appointment to high office. Think food prices are high? Deporting many of the 40% of all farm workers who are immigrants, imposing tariffs on many countries that we depend on for food, and doing nothing about climate change will raise food prices, perhaps 40%.

You have voted against your own interests and, I fear, will pay dearly. What can we do about it?

This story was originally published November 23, 2024 at 6:11 AM.