Tyrone Daily Herald from Tyrone, Pennsylvania • Page 8

PageS The Daily Herald Monday, May 5, 2003 Deaf Editor, Your General Manager certainly has the right name. And her certainly lives up to his Dicken- sonian moniker. His April 25 column, amusingly titled "Local Intelligence" lashed out at me with, "As The Daily Herald is making telephone calls to candidates for our special local candidates night, one of them running for Council has refused, saying he won't be part of a cattle call. Cattle Call should be the name of the weekly column that I give him so we can avoid his letters to the editor. If you can't address the people for two minutes with your ideas, you should have no part in running for office." Well you know me.

Wednesday morning, April 30,1 called Mr. Lash and said, "Chris, I'm gonna take you up on that offer of a column and I will call it Cattle Call and the first sacred cow I barbecue will be you." "I did not offer you a column," Lash lashed. "Yes you did, right there in print, I quote, "Cattle Call should be the name of a weekly column that I give him so we can avoid his "letters to the editor." "We don't print letters to the editor from candidates," Lash lashed again. "This is not about candidates, it's about a column you said you 'give me'," I said. "Oh no I didn't," Lash lashed one more time and began fuming something unintelligible and then slammed down the phone.

He hung up on me! I tell you, it took me 15 minutes before I could catch my breath I was laughing so hard. If Mr. Lash would have recognized I was joking, he would have heard the real reason I was calling was his dart at me for refusing what I termed a Cattle Call. Last week in front of the post office when you told me of the idea, I responded I had no intention of being part of a "Cattle Call." A "Cattle Call" is a name theatre people give a general casting call for a production. Political analysts give a gathering of political candidates vying for office and saying anything to please an audience the same name, "Cattle Call." They are endless evenings which, anything to please an audience the same name, "Cattle Call." They are endless evenings which, quoting Shakespeare, are "Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing!" That is one reason why I declined, but not the main one.

Several years ago, I was in an auto accident which severely bruised my spine causing arthritis to settle in the lower discs which cause pressure on the sciatic nerve. I can't sit for hours on hard chairs or stand motionless for minutes without suffering agonizing pain during and following (for days) in such situation. I avoid them instinctively. "I'm sure there are many in Tyrone who know what I'm talking about. This is not a political statement.

It is a reply to an insensitive jibe. But the idea of a councilperson who refuses to endure endless meetings, might be news. Dan Meckes Tyrone Dear Editor, I jam an investment representative financial services firm in Hollidaysburg who advertises frequenth' -n the local media. Recently, 1 have received many inquiries at my business, and when I'm in public, because another man with the same Ellis is running for Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds against Mary Ann Bennis. Unfortunately, man community members incorrectly think 1 am the Jim Ellis running for office perhaps because I do a considerable amount of advertising.

As you can imagine, the public misperception could be a Concern for me if clients and perspective clients think I am considering a different or additional career track. I AM NOT! After receiving so many inquiries, I looked into the "identities" of the candidates. To clarify, the Jim Ellis running for Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds is a private investigator. His opponent Mary Ann Bennis is a real estate assistant with Evey, Routch, Black, Attorneys, where she has worked for 23 years. In addition, am disappointed that this elected office has not received more attention.

It appears that neither the candidates' identities nor their qualifications are known. While I realize Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds may be considered a "lesser" office, it does, nonetheless, record vital history of our County. I have some experience working with Blair County public records from part-time legal work I did as a high school and college student. Blair County would benefit greatly from having an experienced Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds dedicated to restoration, service and technological innovation competitive with that of surrounding counties. With that sentiment in mind, "May the best man or woman win!" as long as it is NOT thought to be me! Jim Ellis Hollidaysburg Dear Editor, As former law enforcement officers, we have had a lot of contact with former District Attorney William Haberstroh.

His cooperation with the various police forces was quite commendable. When called upon to help, District Attorney Haberstroh always responded no matter the time of day or night. Being experienced and knowledgeable, DA Haberstroh supported police officers in their efforts to protect and serve the people of Blair County. He was always fair and impartial in his dealings with us, and we are certain he would carry over those qualities of fairness and impartiality on the bench of the Court of Common Pleas of Blair County. Attorney Haberstroh deserves our support and vote on primary election day.

Stephen Jackson Retired Chief of Police Logan Township John Treese Retired Chief of Police City of Altoona Terry L. Lingenfelter Retired Detective Sergeant Logan Township Dear rally at the Van Zandt VA Hospital pavil-, ion on April 13 was beautiful and inspiring. The U.S. Armed Forces Mothers, Squad 41 of Altoona and the Faith Baptist Church should be mended for their very moving program. I was very disappointed and thought it was in poor taste for two judicial candidates Elizabeth Doyle and Terry Tomasetti to use this fine program for their political purposes.

People were in attendance to honor and to show support for our troops not to be part of a political campaign. Why were these two on stage and given the opportunity to speak? Shouldn't Doyle and Tomasetti have been in the audience with the other two judicial candidates? To make matters even more distasteful, of the four judicial candidates, Mrs. Doyle and Mr. Tomasetti have never served in the military, let alone fought in a war, I certainly hope the voters remember this incident of poor by these two people in the May 20 primary election. Sincerely, Donna Pike Hollidaysburg Fading towns seek leadership BENSON, Pa.

(AP) Harold Burkett was the mayor of Benson once, but the borough council meetings were on Tuesday, the day he plays pool. "I guess that's not an excuse, but that's my excuse," Burkett said. The former coal-mining community in Somerset County is among at least a dozen in southwest Pennsylvania that are facing a crisis in leadership because not enough people want to hold office. That is unlikely to change before election day. In Benson, four council seats, mayor and three auditor positions will likely remain vacant through the general election in November.

Elsewhere in Somerset County, the communities of Callimont, Casselman, New Baltimore, Ursina and also Southampton Township, are short on candidates. Cassandra, Chest Springs and Loretto boroughs and Dean Township in Cambria County are also seeking leaders. In Bedford County, Rainsburg and St. Clairsville boroughs have open spots in government. Millersville University political science professor G.

Terry Madonna cites three leading causes for a decline in civic service: The cumbersome responsibility of local government, a general lack of civic commitment and failure of schools to teach politics to younger generations. "I don't want to say we've lost our sense of civic commitment, but it's not as strong as it needs to be," Madonna told the Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown. In many of the towns, city leaders have retired or died and a younger generation is wrestling with harder economic times than their predecessors. In Benson, the pizzeria on Main Street has become a bat habitat justup'the street from the shuttered 'ib iv.v. -vu "We should just give'iip on Benson aid Margaret Stout, 30, a lifelong resident.

"It should be no longer." 2,000 turn out to honor Mister Rogers ByJOEMANDAK Associated Press Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) Friends, strangers, celebrities and citizens gathered Saturday afternoon not so much to remember children's television pioneer Fred Rogers, but to celebrate his success. No, not Rogers' worldly success: including five Emmy Awards or the Presidential Medal of Freedom won in July 2002, 11 months after he taped the last episode of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." His son John Rogers quoted poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson when he told the crowd of 2,000 why his fathef Was a success. "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived," he said. "This is the meaning of success." The 90-minute memorial, often lighthearted but never flippant, serious, but never somber, was held so the public could remember Rogers, who died Feb. 27 of stomach cancer.

His March 1 funeral was private. The service was arranged by Family Communications the company that produced Rogers' show for WQED, Pittsburgh's public television station. That it was held at Heinz Hall, home to the Pittsburgh Symphony, was fitting given Rogers' classical music training (his wife is a concert pianist) and the exposure he gave the music on his show. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a longtime friend, submitted a videotaped tribute and performance due to a scheduling conflict. However, composer and violinist Itzhak Perlman, in town for a symphony appearance, learned of the memorial at the llth hour and insisted on performing a Bach piece as a tribute.

"Fred Rogers played a very integral part in our household while our five children were growing up," Perlman said, a sentiment seemingly shared by every parent in attendance. "We both watch the show, so it's a legacy that's been passed on," said Pittsburgh resident Rebecca Perry, 44, who brought her 6-year-old son, Raheem, to the service. "I think it was important for him to see the people, see how many are grown up and have stories to share about the show." One in attendance was Jeffrey Erlanger, who now lives in Madison, Wis. Rogers met Erlanger and his parents in a restaurant in the 1970s and invited him on the show when he was just a young boy. Profoundly disabled, and still using a motorized wheelchair due to his undersized limbs, Erlanger recalled singing "It's You I Like" with Rogers a song about looking inside a person, not at the person's appearance.

Erlanger's friends often ask how long it took to tape that 10-minute segment, wrongly assuming that Rogers' demeanor was an act. "And I would tell them, it took 10 minutes to tape it, and the reason it did was because he just wanted to sit down and talk to me like we were old friends," Erlanger said, who continued to correspond with Rogers until his death. A Presbyterian minister, Rogers began producing the show in 1966, going national two years later. The final episode was taped in December 2000 and aired in August 2001, though PBS affiliates continue to broadcast back episodes. Pat Mitchell, president of the Public Broadcasting Service, played a clip of Rogers testifying before the U.S.

Senate, which was mulling public television budget cuts in the early 1970s. The brusque subcommittee chairman confessed to having "goose bumps" after Rogers explained why the funding was needed, by quoting the words from one of his simple songs about dealing with anger. "No one else made the case better and continues to make it today for a national public television system," Mitchell said. "Saying goodbye to friends is always hard. And saying goodbye to a man whose character personified friendship to a generation of children is much harder," said Teresa a Family Communications board member and wife of rMass.

was able to look'past the differences that-so often are all we cah see fl in life. He found, instead, what we all had in common: the need to feel special." KRISE TRANSPORTATION, INC, Fan Fair Nashville, Tennessee JUNE 3-9, 2003 $850 per Occupancy Includes: Tickets, Transportation and Accommodation Call 1-800-782-9769 today to reserve your seat. N.C.O. WILL SAVE YOU DOUGH! MAY SERVICE SPECIALS We'll Honor or Match Any Competitor's Service Coupon NELSON CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE GEO ROUTE 220 BETWEEN TIPTON AND TYRONE LUBE CHECK Change Oil (up to 5 qts. Bulk Oil Only) Change Filter Check Belts Hoses Lube Grease Fittings Check Antifreeze Check all fluid levels Inspect tires and set air pressure Inspect exhaust system suspension i MS (Additional extra) WITH COUPON Must present coupon when order is written.

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GM cars and light duty trucks. May only be used at Nelson 4 fc Chevy-Olds Ask About Our Winter Check-Over Service Call 684-1313 For Appointment REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES THIS MEMORIAL DAY With A Photo Memorial Or A Boxed Memorial Oval Photo Box Memorial Actual Size Of Box Boxed Memorial No Photo $5 In memory of John Doe, Passed Away June 9, 1977. Husband of Jane Doe, Father of Joe In memory of John Smith, Passed away December 6, 1982. Husband of Jane Smith, Father 'of Joe Rectangular Photo Box Memorial In memory of John Doe, Passed Away June 9, 1977. Husband of Jane Doe, Father of Joe Memorials Will Published 9n Jull Color Saturday, JHay 2ft, 2OO3 Deadline for submission is Thursday May 15 I Your Message: I want my memorial to be: Oval Photo Memorial Rectangular Photo Memorial Boxed Memorial With No Photo Enclose your message, photo of your loved one if you are using a photo memorial! land payment; do not mail cash.

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