Letters: Write-in candidate for BASD board shares goals; Vote yes to retain Oliver

Write-in candidate for BASD board shares goals

My name is Holly Hopkins and I am running a write-in campaign for the Bellefonte school board. In April I was interviewed and chosen by the board to fill their vacant seat after member Jack Bechdel resigned. I had six weeks to prepare a write-in campaign for the primary election that was held on May 20, but did not receive enough votes to be listed on the general election ballot.

As a hygienist at Bellefonte Dental, I strive to build a rapport with my patients, especially children, and feel it connects me to the community in a unique way. I enjoy researching and documenting local history and have published books filled with vintage photos, interviews of Bellefonte’s residents/proprietors, and children’s books illustrated by local artists.

As a member of the school board, my goals are:

• To make safety a priority in every decision
• To be transparent and maintain open communication with our community
• To promote student-centered learning environments
• To ensure district funds are allocated effectively and efficiently
• To encourage parents to stay involved in the education and moral upbringing of their children
• To be a positive voice and help foster a sense of school spirit and pride in Bellefonte

I have no personal agendas as a board member, and no conflicts of interest to keep me from serving ethically. I am motivated and dedicated to advocating for all children. To give me a chance to continue serving the community that I love for the next four-year term, please write my name on your ballot under Bellefonte School Board of Directors on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Holly Hopkins, Pleasant Gap

Vote yes to retain Oliver

I write to support of the retention of Judge Katie Oliver. Judge Oliver is one of the best judges that I have encountered in my 30 years of legal practice. She is professional, competent, and the type of judge that Centre County should want to have on the bench. I strenuously urge you to consider voting yes for retention of Judge Oliver.

John A Snyder, State College

Penn State football has lost respect, support

“I don’t want Penn State to become the kind of a place where an 8-2 season is a tragedy. You can’t tell kids that a football loss is a tragedy. It’s not.” –Joe Paterno 1971

Penn State has become an icky institution I support in no way. I respect Coach Franklin for pulling himself up by his own boot straps and making something good of himself after a difficult childhood. However he lost my support when first hired and asked about Joe Paterno. He dodged the question by saying only let’s look forward. Franklin and Penn State football is built on top of the house that Joe built. Penn State football and Franklin would be nowhere without it.

R Echard, State College

Retain the judges

The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission has recommended the retention of all five appellate judges seeking to remain in their positions. Investigative panels for the Commission reviewed a questionnaire submitted by each candidate, analyzed their written opinions and interviewed lawyers and judges who had appeared before each of them, submitting confidential written reports to the whole commission. In the second phase, the full Commission reviewed the questionnaires and written opinions as well as the investigative panel reports and then interviewed the panel chairs before rendering their opinions.

These highly qualified candidates have already been elected by the voters of Pennsylvania to their original terms of office, and their service as judges has been thoroughly vetted. They should be retained:

PA Supreme Court: Justice Christine Donohue, Justice Kevin M. Dougherty, Justice David N. Wecht

PA Superior Court: Judge Alice Deck Dubow

PA Commonwealth Court: Judge Michael H. Wojcik

H. Amos Goodall, Jr., State College

Oliver acts with integrity

We are happy to communicate our support for Katie Oliver for Judge of Centre County Court of Common Pleas. We have known her and her family for decades and have personally seen how she handles herself and treats others in a wide variety of situations. In all cases she has acted with the integrity of someone with strong values and demonstrates respect for everyone regardless of their background or situation.

In her role as a Girl Scout leader Katie has served as an outstanding role model for young women, including our daughters. She has raised and trained a comfort dog used at the Centre County Courthouse to provide comfort to court participants. She has generously given her time to make our community a better place.

Katie has demonstrated inspiring strength in difficult situations. Her energy and determination to overcome obstacles is boundless. We have known her to be a person of great character who earns the trust of others by doing what she says she will do.

We plan to vote to retain Katie for Judge of Centre County Court of Common Pleas. She has the compassion to help those in need, the strength and fortitude to pursue justice when needed, and the judgment to know when each is needed. Katie has the skills and temperament to best serve the people of Centre County.

Ralene and Steve Kreiser, Pennsylvania Furnace

Thompson wrong about government shutdown

Predictably, Congressman Thompson gets it wrong on the government shutdown. Democrats are fighting for affordable health care for Americans while the Trump administration gives $20 billion to Argentina. I suspect Trump has some financial interest in Argentina. Otherwise, he couldn’t find it on a map. The other comparison of note is that the Department of Justice drops the case against border czar Homan accepting $50,000 in cash while inventing charges against those Trump perceives as enemies, like James Comey. This would all be laughable if it weren’t true.

Arnold Tilden, State College