Pedestrians at risk from e-scooters<\/p>\n
In a recent opinion piece (\u201cThe e-scooter boom is putting kids at risk,\u201d July 17), the writer details the growing number of injuries and deaths among teens who ride e-scooters and e-bikes, but doesn\u2019t mention the danger these motorized vehicles pose to pedestrians. On Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown, it\u2019s become common to see e-scooters and e-bikes on the sidewalks, maneuvering among walkers and fixed obstacles like trees, light poles and signs. They are a menace, not only to their riders but to the people who are using the sidewalks properly, namely, to walk.<\/p>\n
It seems only a matter of time before a collision between one of these riders and a pedestrian occurs, causing potentially serious injuries or a death. As someone who walks Hamilton nearly every day, I appreciate the many improvements and conveniences that have made downtown a better place to live and work. E-scooters and e-bikes on the sidewalks are a detriment to this improved quality of life. The business community and our city leaders need to take a hard look at this problem and find a way to keep our sidewalks safe for pedestrians.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Joseph Skrapits, Allentown<\/p>\n
Raise bank interest rates<\/p>\n
Here are two things we could do to help average Americans.<\/p>\n
Raise bank interest rates on savings accounts, which have been insanely low for decades. Does anyone remember the 1970s, when depositors got 5% interest on savings accounts at a bank? Today they are lucky if they get .01%. Does anyone remember when the banking industry was bailed out by the government? We the depositors keep paying for the banks\u2019 bad investments while they just keep making the same type of bad investments and costing us more. This is not how banking is supposed to work. Depositors are supposed to get a good return interest rate not have the banks constantly increase fees, costing us more and giving us less.<\/p>\n
Second, raise Social Security payments to a livable wage for everyone in the program. Too many people can\u2019t live on the wages they make when working, cutting that amount makes retirement entirely unlivable.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Michael Walter, North Whitehall Township<\/p>\n
Wealth tax an unfair burden<\/p>\n
For many years I worked to better myself and also save for retirement, keeping in mind the possibility that Social Security could be gone or cut. I made sacrifices along the way. Now with the real possibility Social Security payments could be cut, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley has proposed a wealth tax. Pinsley seems to think I should once again be taxed on my money when every tax season I already pay taxes on dividends and capital gains. Why should I be punished for those who choose not to make more of an effort or sacrifices along the way? I am sick and tired of being told I need to take care of the less fortunate. They had just as much opportunity as I did. Leave my retirement money alone.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Keith McDermott, Alburtis<\/p>\n
Easton tradition should be honored<\/p>\n
As someone whose family has long contributed to Easton\u2019s historical storytelling, I was concerned to see the Sigal Museum describe Robert Levers\u2019 1776 reading of the Declaration of Independence as a \u201cfamily myth.\u201d That phrasing dismisses a tradition that shaped Heritage Day for decades. My parents, Evelyn Gulick and Charles Gulick, co\u2011wrote Easton\u2019s 1976 Bicentennial Pageant using sources such as A.D. Chidsey\u2019s book \u201cA Frontier Village,\u201d which the museum still sells. They worked with Levers\u2019 descendants and documented the tradition. In 1981, my mother, then executive director of the Downtown Improvement Group, wrote to John Levers to thank him for his reading and affirm the family\u2019s role. Historical interpretation evolves, but long-standing traditions deserve careful handling. The discussion of Levers\u2019 role in history could have been handled more inclusively by presenting new scholarship alongside the traditional interpretation and including descendants and local historians. Easton\u2019s traditions deserve stewardship that respects emerging research and the families who preserved our heritage.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Angel Gulick, Easton<\/p>\n
Hospital staff deserves thanks<\/p>\n
No one wants to be in the hospital. I am grateful, however, to the nursing staff at St. Luke\u2019s Hospital-Allentown and especially to physician assistant Natalie Piger. Every day Natalie came to see me and she ordered my care. I am especially grateful to her.<\/p>\n
\u2014 David A. Swartz, Allentown<\/p>\n
Graphic has geographic errors<\/p>\n
I appreciate the Morning Call\u2019s large articles on American history during this time of celebration.<\/p>\n
However, the article \u201cOn the Move\u201d in the July 13 edition, while attempting to show the growth of our nation, includes errors, odd exclusions and unusual opinions.<\/p>\n
The errors include a map putting five islands in the Caribbean on the continent of South America. The odd exclusions include no mention of the District of Columbia, a place seeking statehood.<\/p>\n
One unusual opinion, that may be considered humorous, is that the California writer featured as important the claim of California independence in 1846, an event that lasted less than a month. What happened then was that some American settlers declared their independence from Mexico, two months after the United States had already declared war against Mexico.<\/p>\n
More troubling is the opinion that there is little interest in Puerto Rico becoming a state, even though it voted to become one, because of its \u201chigh unemployment and debt.\u201d Puerto Ricans have given their lives for American wars. Opposition to its statehood may be racial prejudice against the Hispanic identity of its people.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Richard Taylor, Easton<\/p>\n