Letters: Homeowners need more info on proposed zoning changes; Profiting from military loss

Homeowners need more info on proposed zoning changes

The State College Borough is proposing changes to the residential zoning ordinance, the R-1 and R-2 areas. Some of the changes are for the better, but some will negatively impact our well-established neighborhoods due to the lack of input from the homeowners. We propose that the State College Borough host information sessions with the homeowners detailing the proposed changes. Recent examples of this approach are the SCASD board reviews of the high school renovation project and PennDOT’s review of Route 322. These sessions should be presented with lay-person language and graphics so that the homeowners can understand the proposed changes. The homeowners can then offer valuable input to prevent negative impacts.

Each homeowner and neighborhood will have different issues that they can shed light on. We are particularly concerned about the proposed triplexes and quadplexes on small 10,000 square foot lots in our neighborhoods. The addition of these units will generate surface parking lots with up to 8 cars and up to 12 trash/recycling bins on the exterior of the quadplex. The units will likely be owned by corporate LLCs, taking away individual homeownership while not solving the intended affordable housing issue. The Borough has proposed that short-term rentals are not allowed in the triplexes and quadplexes, but there is already an unenforced short-term rental problem that reduces workforce housing in the Borough.

The Planning Commission will be reviewing the new ordinance next. Sign up to be notified of meetings and agendas at portal.civicplus.com/PA-StateCollege/notifications?tab=notifications. Stay informed.

Cynthia and Stephen Carpenter, State College

Profiting from military loss

President Trump’s foray into Iran has generated mixed reactions. The majority of Americans oppose the war, but voters are divided along party lines: Republicans are more likely to support the war, whereas Democrats and independents are more likely to oppose it.

But even those who accept the President’s actions have to recoil at the way he is trying to profit from the war. He’s now raising money from the casualties of the war he started — and selling our national security.

A fundraising email from a Trump-linked political action committee used a photo of the March 7 dignified transfer of soldiers killed in Iran.

Donors to Trump’s PAC are promised private national security briefings on “threats facing America ... border invasions, foreign adversaries, deep state sabotage, and every danger the fake news hides.”

Securing one of the “very few spots remaining” guarantees “the inside scoop DIRECT from me, President Trump, the leader who’s rebuilt the greatest military in history, and put America First like no one else.”

Reasonable people may disagree about the justification and morality of engaging in war. But it’s hard to defend anyone profiting from war casualties and the sale of America’s secrets to the highest bidders.

It’s even harder to defend those actions from the person whose main job it is to keep our country safe and secure.

Diane Ebken, Port Matilda

Trump now an ‘unparalleled liability’

It should be obvious that President Trump has become an unparalleled liability, with his whimsical, authoritarian approach to governing. This has gone way out beyond considerations of party or right and left. Prices are way up — partly because of the huge national sales tax he calls a tariff. Instead of focusing on domestic needs, he has threated our allies and given aid and comfort to our enemies. He is now frightened that the war he has gotten us into will result in Congressional losses that will curb his self-serving ambitions. He is so worried that he has taken the step of easing sanctions on Russian and Iran oil just to try to bring the price of oil down. Those revenues will certainly be used against our service men and women and against Ukraine. Iran will be glad to get more money for terrorism. Unfortunately, there is no effective check and very little question from Congress. Our Congress has abandoned its oversight duty to embrace overlook. Shameful! Yet Congress is made up of individuals and even though Mr. Trump is trying every way he can find to control the next midterm election to his advantage, we can and should vote out of office those that sat on their hands and let the ever-widening disaster Mr. Trump has pulled us into roll on.

Gary V. Hoover, Bellefonte