Bethlehem streets need work<\/p>\n
There was a recent article in The Morning Call regarding Bethlehem\u2019s Main Street being voted the best in the country by USA Today. What a wonderful honor for my hometown. Having recently visited there, I cannot help but wonder if anyone completing the survey has actually walked down Main Street. Both sides of the street have patches of crumbling, uneven cement and broken slates. The pavement along Broad Street from Main to Guetter streets is just as treacherous. There is no question that it is time for some major repairs.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Michele Fragnito, Allentown<\/p>\n
Lehigh Valley needs a transit moon shot<\/p>\n
We just sent another rocket to the moon. The first time we did that we were building out the interstate highway system, passenger rail connected to every major city and buses and streetcars ran frequently. Since then, highway spending has seen sustained investment and growth, while public transit has been left underfunded and stagnant. Today, if we are serious about freedom of choice, economic competitiveness, public health and climate resilience, public transit needs its own moonshot.<\/p>\n
Our priorities must shift. According to a new report, to achieve world-class transit locally we\u2019d need to quadruple our transit fleet. It\u2019s a question of priorities. Since 1956 nationally, we have spent over $9.6 trillion more on highways than on transit. LANTA has increased ridership above pre-pandemic levels and introduced a successful Enhanced Bus Service line to speed the commute on certain routes. Yet, due to flat funding, LANTA has been forced to raise fares and cut routes. SEPTA and Pittsburgh\u2019s transit have done the same and raided capital reserves. As Pennsylvania\u2019s fastest growing region, the Lehigh Valley should lead the way towards world-class transit. We need a transit moonshot \u2014 starting now.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Megan Lysowski, Bethlehem<\/p>\n
Treatment not punishment for criminals<\/p>\n
Recent remarks made by Lehigh County President Judge Douglas Reichley regarding a proposed youth detention center in Berks County were mean-spirited and reflect a one-sided attitude many in the judiciary have across our commonwealth. Like many judges, Reichley was a former prosecutor, and like many former prosecutors seems to have a narrow view when it comes to defendants at both the adult and juvenile justice systems, believing \u201caccountability\u201d equals punishment over treatment.<\/p>\n
Regarding the current four-county proposal for the shared juvenile detention center, it has been mentioned that there would be \u201ctreatment\u201d as a component as part of the proposal. Unfortunately, too many times treatment is put on the back burner, and punishment receives priority.<\/p>\n
In most corrections institutions at the adult and juvenile levels, both medical and counseling services are underfunded and understaffed.<\/p>\n
What is needed is higher prioritization of treatment services over punitive measures. Because doing so can help prevent future youths from becoming adult offenders. Spending money on treatment now will eventually reduce the future recidivism rate of juvenile offenders.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Frederick Bainhauer III, Upper Macungie Township<\/p>\n
Medicine conspiracy rumors are false<\/p>\n
As an advocate, I have 40 years of experience representing the interests of patients in clinical research. While drug companies are profitable, they do not decide what reaches the market; in fact, only 1 in 10 drug candidates earns Food and Drug Administration approval. The trials the agency funds are carried out by independent clinical investigators \u2014 physicians at medical centers \u2014 and are overseen by ethics panels and data monitoring committees. Clinical testing begins by identifying the dose, as the fundamental rule of toxicology applies to all substances: Even essential natural molecules like water can be fatal if consumed in excessive amounts over a short period. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would have you believe in conspiracies, but they simply do not exist. Doctors, regulators and members of ethics panels suffer from diseases just like everyone else; they have no incentive to suppress cures or expose people to dangerous treatments.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Karl Schwartz, Nazareth<\/p>\n
Thanks to Mackenzie for supporting no taxes on tips<\/p>\n
I\u2019m a full-time college student working nights and weekends to make ends meet, and like so many students right now, every dollar matters. That\u2019s why I appreciate Rep. Ryan Mackenzie standing up for workers by supporting the no taxes on tips policy passed into law last year. This policy helps ensure that service workers\u00a0 like the waiters, bartenders, and delivery drivers who are often students themselves \u2014 get to keep more of what they earn. With the rising cost of college tuition, keeping more of our tipped income is crucial. Policies like this help students pay for tuition, books and rent without falling deeper into debt. Ryan Mackenzie, thank you for putting working people and working students first.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Daniel Rossi, Bethlehem<\/p>\n
Orban\u2019s defeat is something to celebrate<\/p>\n
Now that Viktor Orban was defeated in his attempt to remain prime minister of Hungary, I can once again fly my Hungarian heritage flag. I and many Europeans breathed a sigh of relief after the recent election of Peter Magyar in a landslide victory. Orban\u2019s hold over the country has finally been broken, along with President Trump\u2019s admiration of him.<\/p>\n
Sending Vice President JD Vance to help Orban win reelection fell on deaf ears, thankfully. Better ideals prevail. Hopefully they will continue to do so<\/p>\n
\u2014 Michael Egry, Allentown<\/p>\n