Letters to the Editor - 6/7/2009
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Deafening silence
Editor: Regarding the June 5 story, "Experts: Probe procedure unusual." Is it really? This whole situation rings very familiar. The only missing component here is an African-American robbery suspect to take the blame.
So now what? Someone has to answer to the senseless killing of Brenda L. Williams. It appears the only witnesses to this act were the Scranton police officers present and Brenda. Nobody's talking, the silence is deafening. Brenda's voice has been silenced. Who will speak for her?
I commend the Williams family for their grace and dignity as they lay their precious "daughter," "sister," "mother" to rest and they continue in the same manner, because that is who they are. This sense of frustration, sadness, helplessness and mistrust has spread throughout this city. I hear it every day from folks of every color.
The longer this goes unanswered, the tension rises. No words from the mayor, the police chief? You got nothing? Say something! Anything! Scranton Counseling? You got nothing?
District Attorney Jarbola's office will determine if the shooting was "justified"? That is the one word that should never be used here. There was no one to "protect and serve" Brenda.
PAULA MORGAN-FRAZIER
Scranton
Sad situation
Editor: Regarding Laura Legere's June 5 article, "Experts: Probe procedure unusual": What a sad day it is when a veteran who served our country is gunned down by people who are supposed to protect us all. I do not know the facts of Brenda Williams' life, but I did read that she was an Air Force veteran. I also read that she had a mental illness.
It is hard for veterans to come out of conflicts that they are put into, and come back completely sane. I pray that Ms. Williams' death will not be in vain, and that proper action will be taken and reported.
MARY BETH ROCHE
Archbald
Libraries in demand
Editor: As a librarian and North Pocono resident, I have been following with interest the debate and political rhetoric about the need for new public libraries in North Pocono and Scranton.
The truth is that new libraries are needed in both locations. The growing North Pocono area has the most desperate need. It is beyond absurd that a member of the county library system has been allowed to languish this long in a Lilliputian-sized building.
But the Albright building, although architecturally magnificent, has also outlived its usefulness. The space allotted to books is grossly inadequate. The stacks (bookshelves) tell the tale: crammed to overflowing, the books spill out onto book trucks. Patrons must negotiate dimly lit, narrow aisles and winding staircases.
Opposition to a new Scranton library seems to mistakenly focus on the project only benefiting Mayor Chris Doherty, or Scranton residents, or South Side. What people need to keep in mind is that this is a county system: all materials flow freely between all of the member libraries. A Lackawanna County library card holder can take advantage of whatever is offered at any county library. A large, modern Scranton facility, with more space for acquisitions and programs, will benefit all county residents.
In this current economic climate, some may feel that it is the wrong time to fund new libraries. But public libraries are needed now more than ever. Once dismissed as irrelevant in the age of the Internet, libraries across the country are reporting increased usage. Many libraries have been inundated with unemployed job seekers utilizing library-owned computers. Books, DVDs, children's programs, computer classes, special events, etc., can all be had for free, along with something the Internet can't provide - the helpful guidance of a librarian.
Public libraries, which welcome all and provide free access to information, are a necessary cornerstone of our democracy. We cannot let them falter. As Walter Cronkite said, "Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation."
ANDREA KULICK
Spring Brook Twp.
Computer access
Editor: The call for a "new" library would be a waste of taxpayers' money. Each high school and middle school in the city has its own library, the county has several (Scranton, Abington, etc.) and we have those at the University of Scranton and Marywood University.
The shortage today is having access to computers. Why not set up an area with computers in a convenient location at a far lesser cost than the millions that are proposed for the new South Scranton library.
One location to consider would be the vacant space that connects the former Globe store with the Steamtown Mall. Besides being centrally located, it will bring people into the downtown shopping area.
JOHN A. TROVATO
Clarks Green
Backward approach
Editor: It's hard to believe that we are witnessing a major corporation, Dunkin' Donuts, which I'm sure is very conscious of its image, building such a building at the gateway to our city.
Now, nobody expects a doughnut shop to be an architectural marvel, but to deliberately position the building on the site so that the rear of the building is facing the gateway to the city is tantamount to a slur by Dunkin' Donuts for all of us who take pride in this community. As it stands, the old gas station actually looked better than the new Dunkin Donuts.
It might be different if they were trying to adapt an existing building to their current operation, but to start from scratch and not find a better way to project their image is inexcusable. We can only hope that they're planning some wonderful landscaping and/or some other attractive screen to hide their rear end.
If not, shame on Dunkin' Donuts, for having so little regard for its image.
ROBERT W. PETTINATO
PACE Construction Managers Inc.
Scranton
5 posted comments
I love libraries. As a person who is not fond of organized religion, the library is my place of spiritual enlightenment, instead of one book about life, it provides thousands of books about life to the public and allows for the opportunity to create a sense of community. Yet, while I support their promotion 100%, I can't support them at the expense of deficit spending. If we want to raise a tax specifically for the libraries, and construct the library as the funds come in fine, but we cannot sustain this culture of deficit spending. Have fund-raisers, raise taxes, cut other programs, tax non-profits (even if its a smaller tax then others are burdened with) to raise the revenue for libraries... but please understand, the deficit spending is enslaving the next generation of Americans.