We've got mail!

Chamber says

'thank you'

To the editor:

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce thanks the residents of Cameron County for their support of the opening of the Chamber of Commerce & Artisan Center. Numerous people have donated their time and ideas to this project.

We thank Mountaineer Search and Rescue for the time and muscle in our recent move to 34 East Fourth Street.

This group of volunteers gave up a Thursday night to push office chairs, lift heavy desks and move numerous boxes filled with brochures.

If it were not for their assistance, the opening date would never have been realized. Watching this group reminded us why they are so successful when called to an emergency. Cameron County is blessed to have this group at our call.

We also thank the artists who agreed to display and sell items in the new center. Response so far has been positive.

This can be attributed to the hours spent by artist Nelson Haas and Judy Blumle from Cameron County Arts unpacking boxes and arranging displays. When classes begin, students will be sitting on desks loaned by Cameron County Arts.

JeanMare Holjencin lent her window-dressing expertise. Another thank you to the Lundberg family for coming forth with the generous plan of moving the Chamber to their former location. It has taken a lot of sweat equity to accomplish the goal.

Chamber Directors must be recognized for taking the bold move to embark on this venture, which brings the Chamber front and center in the business district and provides a place for artists to sell their works.

Pennsylvania Wilds has promised more than 20,000 brochures featuring the location along an Artisan Trail winding its way through the 12 counties of the Wilds. We hope that will attract visitors to the region who will spend money and time in Cameron County.

Thanks again to the community for the support of this project!
Tina Johns Lorson
Executive Director
Laural Coppock
Administrative Assistant
Erin Vassallo
Summer Intern

Dam Show

musician 'hot'

To the editor:

Just so everybody knows, one of the musicians coming to the sixth annual Dam Show in Austin (July 18-19), Ryan Montbleau of Boston, Mass., is one of the hottest acts on the festival scene.

He will be bringing quite a following to Austin. As more people find out they can see Ryan Montbleau, Buddhahood and the Hackensaw Boys, all for $15 on a Saturday, they will flock to the Dam Show.

I have been working festivals every weekend and there is plenty of talk about the special show in Austin. This should be the best one yet!
Andy Waters
Groovin' Lumens
Lighting Specialists
Rochester, N.Y.

Smoking ban:

go all the way

To the editor:

After reading the editorials and articles concerning the ban on smoking in Pennsylvania, I have much concern, as I am a business owner, too.

I believe that business owners should be able to decide whether they want smoking patrons. If they don't, that should be their decision, not the state's.

The state can do whatever it wants when it comes to businesses that are being funded by government. But for those who aren't, it's a different story.

If the government is so worried about health issues, then all alcohol should be banned in public places. More people die from drunk drivers than from smoking.

Now that the smoking ban has gone through, we need to completely ban the sale of cigarettes in this state. Why should any state allow cigarettes to be sold and collect millions of dollars from taxes, when smokers can only smoke in their house or car?

Cigarettes here cost about $46 a carton. Down south, cigarettes cost $23 a carton. This state makes a lot of money from the sale of cigarettes.

Do we benefit? I don't know how you are benefiting, but I just know our roads aren't getting any better, my taxes keep going up and my health insurance is going higher every year.

Also, we need to stop farmers from growing tobacco. Let them grow products that will benefit us all.

And, of course, if we don't sell cigarettes, we won't have to worry about teens smoking anymore.

If you are against smoking, then go all the way. Do not allow Pennsylvania state government to profit from a legal product that cannot be used in public.
Darla Broderick
West Lampeter Twp.
Motorcycle helmet

matter of choice

To the editor:

News articles often point out that head injuries have increased since the motorcycle helmet law repeal in Pennsylvania.

While we see the statistics, what the press is failing to include in the report is the causes of many of these accidents. I have seen many car and truck drivers pull in front of motorcyclists, causing the motorcycle operators to have to take a defensive action.

It is not just the motorcyclist's responsibility to pay attention, it is everyone who drives any motor vehicle.

Have people forgotten that we are all taught to share the road with bicyclists? Why is it so hard to share the road with a motorcycle?

Motorcyclists are required to use their lights at all times. They make more noise than a bicycle and they have a horn as does a car, truck or bus. Why does everyone have such diffi- culty with a motorcycle, then?

The helmet law repeal itself is not the cause of these accidents. It merely states that after meeting very clear requirements the operator has the privilege to choose whether to wear the helmet or not. The passenger must also meet requirements prior to making that choice.

Granted, there are those individuals who carelessly abuse the privileges before them, but most motorcyclists do not take their privilege for granted.

I am a very proud member of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) and, by the way, I am not a motorcycle rider.
Galene M Reynolds
Bald Eagle Chapter
ABATE