Letters: Chuck Mong leaves lasting legacy; SCASD external review raises questions

Chuck Mong leaves lasting legacy

We at the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County were saddened to learn of Chuck Mong’s passing last month. As an early leader of our organization, Chuck shaped much of what the CBICC is today and fostered key relationships that continue to benefit our community.

Chuck’s tenacity and business acumen played a pivotal role in strengthening Centre County’s economy. His vision for the Chamber and what would later become the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has had an immeasurable impact for residents and visitors to Centre County alike. We are grateful for his leadership during a formative time for our area.

While building our region’s economic foundation Chuck remained dedicated to public service and building community. Since his passing, I have heard from former CBICC board members who shared their admiration and gratitude for his leadership and service.

On behalf of the CBICC, our hearts go out to Chuck’s family and friends. His legacy continues to inspire us, and we are confident it will live on in Centre County for generations to come.

SCASD external review raises questions

In the aftermath of the death by suicide of middle school student Abby Smith, and at the urging of her parents and the community, the State College Area School District hired Dr. Erbacher, an expert on suicide in schools, to review the district’s policies and procedures. She presented her results at the March 24 board meeting which was thoroughly reported by the CDT on March 30.

Dr. Erbacher provided compelling information. However, I am curious regarding some obvious gaps. How could a deeply informative response be gained when only five students were interviewed? Why were classroom teachers not included in the survey? This was a missed opportunity to gain a broad representative response from students and faculty.

After this horrific tragedy, it’s important to focus on the positive. The fact that our school community is articulating the critical issues around student mental health and that parents and teachers are more acutely aware of checking in with kids, gives me hope for change and for better acceptance and awareness of mental health being another routine aspect of human development.

This is in no small part to the actions of Abby’s parents, Jen Black and Jon Smith. Through unimaginable grief, they have remained steadfast in advocating for improving school mental health procedures. Their ability to respectfully articulate and advocate for all students, while honoring the memory of their precious child, has been humbling to observe.

Our community awaits the results of how our schools will utilize the results of Dr. Erbacher’s report.

Speak out in every way possible

The illegal actions of this administration are ever eroding the fragile hold on democracy.

April 2, 2025, thousands of critical health workers at the CDC and FDA lost their jobs.

Katelyn Jatelina, a trusted epidemiologist, spells out the current harms from these terribly inefficient firings:

HIV prevention? Gone.

Asthma and air quality team? Gone.

Environmental hazard response? Gone.

Gun violence prevention? Gutted.

Communications? Gutted.

Worker safety? Gone.

Reproductive health? Gone.

Birth defects? Gone.

Disability health? Gone.

TB prevention? Gone.

Blood disorder programs? Gone.

National survey on drug use and mental health? Gone.

Lead poisoning prevention? Gone.

Water safety? Gone.

Tobacco control division? Gone.

We must speak out in every way possible against the fascist turn of this corrupt administration.

Who does Thompson represent?

Thanks to Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson for his newsletters, showing he’s out of touch with constituents’ needs.

In recent newsletters, Thompson said nothing about the chaos engulfing our country — high prices; fired government workers; canceled contracts providing food and health services to millions of Americans; threats to Social Security, Medicaid, and supplemental nutrition aid; tattered global alliances; Trump’s revenge tours.

So, what did Thompson say?

He co-sponsored legislation to ensure that AM radio remains available on cars, so “drivers can access news and emergency information.” A strange priority; it’s not how most people access information.

He highlighted National Agriculture Day, claiming to “champion the hard work of … the agriculture sector.” Meanwhile, he did nothing as the Agriculture Department canceled $13 million in funding for Pennsylvania farmers who supply food banks.

He praised recent airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen, and “action to safeguard American interests …” But he’s mum about the shocking security failures surrounding those airstrikes that risked American military lives, and the unwillingness of our highest intelligence officials to acknowledge errors in sharing classified information on a commercial app.

He continued to prioritize business over public good. He complained about regulatory burdens and praised for-profit DaVita Dialysis. But nothing about the lack of maternity services in six counties in his district.

He frequently attends business summits, but can’t find time to meet with constituents or attend the March 29 town hall.

It couldn’t be clearer — Thompson doesn’t know or represent his constituents.