Letters: Local governments showed bold action with SPPA; Fireworks display raises 4th Fest questions

Local governments showed bold action with SPPA

I have been overjoyed to learn the State College Area School District, Centre County and other local governments are developing solar energy. I am especially excited about the ten governments who have created a solar power purchase agreement.

For the last 50 years, many of us have known we must get off of fossil fuels. Coal, oil and gas pollute our air, soil and water. They hurt our health from the coal mine and fracking well to the power plant’s smoke stack. Honest people know these fuels’ carbon dioxide and other emissions are speeding up the climate crisis. Here in central Pennsylvania, we have seen climate impacts with more heat and more intense rains. Reducing emissions is necessary. It is also possible and the best way to go.

During this time of cynicism, I am heartened that our leaders have paid attention and taken action. It is no small feat to get ten governments to do anything together, much less something so new. The fact that it’s pushing forward action on climate change under an assault by special interests and bad-faith actors makes it that much more remarkable.

I can’t wait for our local governments to do even more. Who knows? Maybe they will inspire local business and the university to act even bolder.

Fireworks display raises 4th Fest questions

The July 3 edition of the Centre Daily Times ran an article titled “Central PA 4th Fest funds running low.” Ironically, the Central PA 4th Fest Committee held their annual pre-party celebration on July 2 featuring a six-minute, commercial grade, fireworks display in a residential community. Six minutes seems like eternity if you have a screaming baby and/or traumatized pets. The fireworks display is so big that debris lands in neighboring yards. I am a longtime 4th Fest Firecracker Run volunteer and I love the 4th Fest event. I wonder though, if the Central PA 4th Fest committee are good stewards of the donations received based on this inappropriate “private” fireworks display?

Behind the Musk-Trump feud

Elon Musk spent more than $250 billion in a period of a few months to help elect Trump last year. His companies have more than $1 billion in federal contracts, and they were subjected to more than 20 federal investigations and enmeshed with governments around the world. Elon and Donald became “best buds.”

But something happened. Suddenly, Musk suggested Trump should be impeached. And Trump, not to be out done, stated that Musk suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” brought on by how much he missed working for the President. Huh?

And last month, two House Republicans introduced a bill to get to the bottom of it all. The bill instructs the National Institutes of Health to “conduct or support research to advance the understanding of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” including its origins, manifestations and long-term effects.

Trump screamed, Musk “has lost his mind,” and that Musk had ignored the easiest way to do his job: cutting his own government contracts. Trump wants the spotlight. And for him, an outrage is not outrageous. The “big, beautiful bill” undermined DOGE’s work. Musk called it a “disgusting abomination.” To that point he is correct.

Elections have consequences

As we are frequently reminded, elections have consequences.

Consequently, we now have the “Big Beautiful Bill,” aka Project ‘25.

Congratulations to Representatives Joyce, Thompson, and Sen. McCormick for bravely standing by their man and all their constituents under the Big Beautiful Bus.