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Fire brings out community's best

To the editor:

Congratulations to the members of Emporium Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) on their ability, expertise and teamwork last Thursday.

Containing the fire to only one building was an extraordinary achievement, considering the Midtowne building is directly attached. This was an extremely complex fire, not only because of the attached buildings, but because the NAPA structure itself posed many difficult problems.

There were layers of roofs and ceiling that provided areas in which the fire could hide and expand very quickly. Our volunteers were able to control what could have been a considerable disaster.

This was my first opportunity to work closely with our volunteer fire department, serving Emporium Borough, Shippen, Lumber and Portage townships, and I was extremely impressed.

I had the opportunity to be directly located near the incident commander, Fire Chief Butch Housler. From this vantage point I experienced how the process unfolds, but more importantly, why small towns are still the best places in the world to live.

I got to see trained volunteers risking their lives and safety to protect our community. Volunteers also came from Sinnemahoning, St Marys, Port Allegany, Coudersport, Norwich Township, and Ridgway fire departments.

Numerous others provided support: EVFD Auxiliary prepared food at the fire station; the borough crew spread salt throughout the night to keep water from freezing around work areas; the ambulance service was on hand with medical assistance; borough and state police redirected traffic and secured the scene; Cameron County Search and Rescue pitched in and Cameron County Emergency Manager Kevin Johnson provided his expertise and resources.

More importantly, I got to see the outpouring from the community. People and businesses came out to help in any way they could. Our newest local business, Aroma Bakery and Cafe, and Sheetz were there providing coffee and hot chocolate to workers. People such as Greg Magaro and Justin Zimmer provided beverages. People donated all types of cookies and candy bars. Pete Grimone brought dozens of work gloves. I am certain that I have missed others who helped and for that I apologize.

As I stood in the smokefilled air with temperatures in the low teens, I was overwhelmed by the fact that so many good things can happen in the course of a tragedy.

Watching people and businesses come together to assist and donate their time, know-how, and talents, I wondered from an economic viewpoint what would we do if we had to pay for all this manpower.

Thank God for our all of our volunteers!

Don "Stretch" Reed

Borough Manager

Emergency Manager

Online schools

To the editor:

Every child is different. Some are gifted learners and some have academic challenges. Some thrive in group learning environments, while others excel with one-toone instruction.

That is why parents and teachers are increasingly looking for more public education options. One of the most innovative is an online public school.

Pennsylvania is nationally recognized as a pioneer state in providing students quality "cyber school" options. There are now more than 20,000 students enrolled. One of the great strengths is that any child, regardless of economic, geographic, or academic circumstance, can enroll. And just like any public school, there is no cost.

Children who live in rural, urban and suburban communities, whether low or high income, can all attend the same public school. Children are able to learn at their own pace and still have the benefit of personal instruction and close relationships with certified teachers, along with connection to a school community.

They have the benefit of a flexible schedule, but, just like their peers in traditional schools, must participate in state assessment tests and meet the academic and attendance requirements, and all other accountability standards.

At my school, every student receives an individualized education program, customized to meet personal academic needs and learning style. Our students receive Web-based lessons and assessments, plus boxes of books, materials, science supplies, art and music equipment, and much more.

They also receive a computer system on loan from the school along with internetreimbursement to guarantee that any child, anywhere, can connect to the school.

Not all children are suited for the traditional classroom or are able to learn in the confines of the set schedule typically followed in most schools. Not all feel comfortable or even safe in school buildings.

Some opponents are proposing severe funding cuts to public cyber schools, which threaten to eliminate education programs for kids and squeeze these schools out of existence. This would be a huge step backwards for Pennsylvania and, most disturbingly, hurt thousands of kids. These kids are public school students and deserve to be treated equally and fairly.

Sharon Williams

Agora Cyber Charter

School

More Letters next column NOT Big Foot!

To the editor:

I have seen the pictures and read the articles about the supposed Bigfoot and just wanted to give you my two cents' worth.

Whether Bigfoot does or does not exist I really can't say, but I do know the creature in the famous pictures is a bear.

My husband and I have pictures from a trailcam taken in 2005 of a juvenile bear that looks primate-like, but it is a bear.

Young bears aren't always round and roly poly. Some are long and lanky. I also have pictures of wet bears whose hair looks like that of the bear in the pictures. I hope this information is helpful.

Lona Bush

Emporium

Think & Drive

To the editor:

During the 2006 holiday season, 21 Pennsylvanians were killed in 399 traffic crashes that involved at least one driver with a high blood alcohol concentration.

From shopping to attending gatherings, the holiday season is one of the busiest, and most stressful, times of the year. It's important for drivers to be responsible when they're caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday.

If you plan to drink alcohol, plan a safe way home before the festivities begin; designate a sober driver and give that person your keys.

If you are hosting, make arrangements for your guests to get home safely; if you're impaired, call a sober friend or family member. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.

Lastly, if you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.

Look for stepped-up patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout Pennsylvania this holiday season. Whether you've had way too many or just one too many, it's not worth the risk.

Catherine L. Tress Pa. DUI Association Western Satellite Office