A surefire solution to entitled drivers
I’m sure everyone reading this has encountered entitled drivers. There are stories almost everyday about accidents and road rage. They are not only on Route 22 or Interstate 78. They are at every stop sign and red light. People double park on every street. There is what I consider a simple solution.
Raise the fines by four times. There would be a short-term rise in the state’s income, but after a few months and many tickets, there would be a drastic reduction in these violations.
Don’t give me a sob story that people can’t afford to pay the fines. I can’t afford to pay the fines as they are today, so I obey the laws.
— Bob Kern, Allen Township
Thank those who served, renew commitment to peace
As Veterans Day approaches, we have an opportunity to recognize the men and women in the Lehigh Valley who have served in the Armed Forces. Their sacrifices, along with those of their families, deserve our sincere gratitude. Every day, we enjoy freedoms that are easy to take for granted: gathering with our families, practicing our faith, expressing our opinions and living in our communities without fear. These freedoms carry responsibilities, and we should never forget those who have served to protect our nation.
As an Ahmadi Muslim and a longtime resident of the Lehigh Valley, I believe honoring veterans also means reflecting on the value of peace. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community promotes the principle “Love for All, Hatred for None,” reminding us that patriotism and concern for humanity go hand in hand. Honoring those who served does not mean celebrating war. Rather, it means recognizing their sacrifices and working toward a world where future generations will not have to endure the suffering of armed conflict.
This Veterans Day, let us thank our veterans, remember their families and renew our commitment to justice, compassion and peace.
— Farid Ahmad, Easton
Quantm won zoning argument. But at what cost?
Quantm LLC fought to classify its proposed Emmaus Avenue data center under Allentown’s industrial zoning provisions. That strategy helped move the project forward, but it may also become the developer’s greatest financial liability.
Industrial zoning comes with enforceable performance standards, particularly regarding noise. Allentown’s ordinance limits nighttime noise at certain residential properties to 52 decibels. If qualifying pure-tone noise is present, that limit drops to 47 decibels. With 42 proposed rooftop chillers and 32 diesel generators, compliance could require millions in acoustic engineering and mitigation. Furthermore, the city’s recently adopted Bill 56 strengthens noise regulations applicable to this project, including additional compliance verification.
Here is where accountability matters. Quantm cannot benefit from industrial zoning while escaping the financial obligations that accompany it. City officials must rigorously enforce every applicable standard, require authorized independent testing and hold the developer accountable for violations. If compliance makes this project financially unfeasible, that is Quantm’s problem, not the community’s.
The developer fought for industrial classification. Now Allentown must ensure it pays the full price of operating under it.
— Lori Collins, Lower Macungie Township
World spends too much on war, could pay the price
Mankind is leaving the Iron Age and entering the Age of Ignorance, a certain downward spiral that can only bring on the degradation of civilization.The top 10 industrialized nations budget about $2 trillion for defense; the United States alone allocates 954 billion to feed its military-industrial complex.
I realize that these are today’s jobs, but where does it end? Man has been waging war ever since he became civilized. A much better use of our energy and natural resources has to be employed in order to improve our well-being. The future depends on how well we face it.
Some day we may become too expensive, jeopardizing that very future. It has been said that war begins where reason ends — we must be reasonable and responsible for our destiny. It is imperative.
— Robert H Peters, Bushkill Township
If we must have tax increases, they should be done over time
The headline in The Morning Call read “Lehigh County OKs 16.7% tax increase.” Palmer Township has been playing this game as well. In 2025, Palmer Township increased property taxes by 11.8%. In 2026, Palmer increased taxes by 13.2%. That’s a compounded 26.5% property tax increase over two years! And soon to come, a monster Northampton County property tax increase — perhaps as high as 43%.
County and local politicians and bureaucrats in the Lehigh Valley need to learn how to better manage their finances and quit sticking it to the homeowners. If more revenue is (truly) needed, the needs should be clearly communicated to all residents (not just the ones who attend supervisors meetings). Any rate increases should be administered gradually over time, not all at once like a sledgehammer! Those politicians who abuse their taxing authority should realize that they can be voted out of power in the next election cycle.
— John Griesser, Palmer Township
A better way to spend campaign money
Every day, we received at least four full or oversized political postcards in the mail for every voting member of our household. That’s four per person times four in the household, 16 total. This must cost a fortune.
My ask to the campaign managers is can we have the funds from one allocated mailing be used for something useful, like our small senior placement business? How about using the funds you spend to provide healthcare for our seven employees. Or better yet, allow a mailing for our volunteer fire company. It seems like a better use of dollars you’re spending than redundant daily mailings we receive.
— Charlie Mest, Upper Saucon Township
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.