To The Editor

Dear Editor:

I just re-read your article "Publisher's Point Of View" and want to say that as a Sizerville area landowner greatly affected by all of this, I really do appreciate everything that you said.

While it is true the "Someone has to haul those kinds of chemicals ... ", NorfolkSouthern should also take all of the appropriate precautions ... and I don't balieve that was done here ... there is a reason that there used to be train engines stationed in Emporium

Let's All Give

'Em Hell for use when crossing Keating Summit ... cost-cutting is inexcusable when dealing with toxic cargo. So ... let's all "give them hell

Anne Mulhollan,

Ohio

Keep Up The

Fight!

Editor:

Thank you for your attention to the chemical spill.

Based on the headlines, I think that you are the perfect person to address this issue, make it nationally known, and fight for the best interests of this area.

I think it may be your calling, what you were sent here for.

Please for the sake of all of us that love this place, keep up the fight.

Robert A. Hunt

Charleston, WV

Concered For

Our Plight

Dear Editor

A small group of volunteers and I have been working very hard to gather the 3,850 signatures necessary to place my name on November's General Election Ballot as an Independent Candidate for Representative in the U.S. Congress representing Pennsylvania's 5th District.

Going door-to-door has proven to be fruitful, but terribly slow. Most households require employment by all able-bodied adults in order to maintain a decent standard of living. This limit's the hours during which someone might answer the door. We make an effort not to interrupt dinners and do not knock on Sundays.

Many clubs and/or their patrons frown on "politicians" doing any campaigning at these establishments. I would not even consider walking into a workplace to gather nomination signatures. Today, in DuBois, I was asked to leave the parking lot at Martin's Grocery because they said their corporate policy prohibited "soliciting" on their property.

While I respect the right of every individual, business and organization to control their property, I am concerned about our democratic process. Volunteerism is dying for myriad reasons and political parties feel this as much or more than any other group. I believe that future candidates, regardless of party affiliation, will experience increasing difficulty in getting themselves on a ballot.

I understand that many people consider "politics" a dirty word. I dislike politics myself and dislike it more as I get more involved. But, nothing will improve if we are not engaged in the process. Most folks that I know can quote names and statistics on every athlete and team, but do not know the names of the people who are making decisions for them in Harrisburg and Washington. Government of, by, and for the People will be a reality only if we all stay involved. The phrase "Freedom isn't Free" applies not only on the battlefield but every day and in every community.

Edward Walko,

DuBois