Proposed tax increase too much in Lehigh County<\/p>\n
Put a Democrat in charge of the county and what do you get: a tax increase in his first budget. Thanks to Ron Beitler, we will have someone not just saying \u2018OK, let\u2019s do it.\u2019 With what we pay in school taxes, I know I can\u2019t afford to pay more in taxes. My Social Security doesn\u2019t increase that much.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Keith McDermott, Alburtis<\/p>\n
Mackenzie needs to speak up on mail-in voting restrictions<\/p>\n
On Aug. 26, just weeks before the midterm elections, a court ruled state and local election officials needed to comply with an executive order requiring new mail-in ballot rules (though it has since been blocked again). I did something I don\u2019t normally do.<\/p>\n
I emailed my 7th District U.S. representative, Ryan Mackenzie, with a question. How is it that the same political nonsense, same lack of evidence and same leader keeps trying to change our elections process? As a retired U.S. history\/American government teacher, I\u2019m sure he is aware that Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution expressly grants states the power to decide their election rules, procedures and recording of outcomes with oversight provided by Congress, not the executive. His Republican colleagues in 2019 spearheaded an expansion of mail-in voting here in Pennsylvania. In 2016, 24% cast their ballots this way. In 2020, public health concerns during COVID drove a surge in mail-in voting to 43%. And in 2024, federal reporting concluded, roughly 30% of votes were by mail-in. Interesting how in 2016 and 2024, there were no complaints from the winning or losing parties about fraudulent ballots. It appears a dangerous game is being played by the Republican party today that threatens the very core of our democracy.<\/p>\n
\u2014 John Schmoyer, North Whitehall Township<\/p>\n
Prohibit digital signs next to highways<\/p>\n
It was recently reported that violations of the driving laws focused on driving while holding a cellphone would result in citations without exception. This is certainly a welcome approach, however, distracted driving has become a commercial objective on many of our roads. By this I mean the existing billboards and newer digital signs that abound next to the major roads here and throughout the area.<\/p>\n
These signs are getting larger and more distracting. These signs are as problematic as any handheld device as they result in drivers\u2019 eyes wandering for critical seconds at high speeds. The digital signs also change frequently, adding to the distraction. Some signs would be difficult to remove, as they represent businesses and services adjacent to the road\u2019s exits.<\/p>\n
There are also highway signs that give information and directions. It is noteworthy that in recent years those signs have been placed overhead in the center of the roadway to be less distracting.<\/p>\n
It would benefit driving safety if there were regulations prohibiting commercial signs adjacent to highways throughout the commonwealth.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Howard K. Kuritzky, Hanover Township, Northampton County<\/p>\n
Violence by Israeli settlers must be condemned, stopped<\/p>\n
I strongly condemn the escalating attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians, their homes, farms and communities in the occupied West Bank, as well as the violent assault on NBC journalists reporting from the region. Journalists must be able to report freely and safely, and civilians must be protected from violence and intimidation.<\/p>\n
The scale of settler violence this year is deeply alarming. According to Palestinian authorities, 25 Palestinians have been killed in settler attacks since the beginning of 2026, the highest annual figure recorded in their database. UN reporting has also documented more than 1,430 settler-violence incidents this year, affecting hundreds of Palestinian communities.<\/p>\n
What is equally troubling is the continuing lack of effective accountability. Condemnations alone are not enough. The Israeli government has a responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians, prevent attacks, investigate crimes and prosecute those responsible. No government should tolerate violence against innocent people or journalists with impunity. The international community must demand an immediate end to settler violence, meaningful accountability and equal protection under the law. I ask people of faith in the Lehigh Valley to join me in condemning this attack and demanding accountability from Israel\u2019s government.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Amir Famili, Upper Macungie Township<\/p>\n
The biggest obstacle to Dem wins? Party\u2019s elites<\/p>\n
A recent column, \u201cWhat \u2018affordability\u2019 really means to working-class voters,\u201d provides survey evidence that supports my own observations. There is a chasm between the priorities of the Democrats\u2019 elite leadership and those of the middle-America working class. We have a stumbling economy and a Republican president who is reckless, bullying, ignorant, vindictive, tasteless and vulgarly egotistical, who picks fights with all our friends and who stumbled into an unwinnable war. A Democratic win in November should be easy. All Democrats have to do is be sane and decent. But the Democrats\u2019 elites seem to be entranced by Democratic Socialists and similar far-left progressives, whose ideas, particularly those on gender, crime and immigration, are rejected by middle America. I hope these elites come to their senses in time.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Roger Burk, Bushkill Township<\/p>\n
Roadless Rule helps preserve nation\u2019s wild spaces<\/p>\n
As someone who, like many locals, cherishes our country\u2019s wild lands and forests, I am dismayed and concerned by the potential repeal of the Roadless Rule. Preserving this rule is critical for the longevity of our region\u2019s remaining wild places, which provide critical habitat for endangered and threatened species, protect clean water and give wildlife the room they need to survive and recover.<\/p>\n
I respectfully ask our elected leaders to stand up for the future of our wild, scenic state and country. Please oppose any rollbacks to the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. This rule has existed since 2001, and has seen many victories for protecting our wild places. It is a time-tested and successful safeguard that allows our economy and environment to coexist. There is no reason to roll it back now, unless we want to lose even more of our beloved American natural legacy.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s work together as people of all political stripes, to ensure that wild places are safeguarded in perpetuity. They are what give our nation its breathtaking wild character. We should not reduce our region\u2019s irreplaceable forests or other scenery to degraded lands.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Rebecca Canright, Asbury, N.J.<\/p>\n
Election letters<\/p>\n
Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 3 general election must be received by 10 a.m. Oct. 22.\u00a0 Election-related letters will not be published after Oct. 29.<\/p>\n