CANDID ABOUT CAMERAS

Not smiling for camera
If a business wants to install security cameras on its property, that is one thing. But monitoring every block in the city?

Those [volunteering] to man the cameras are not law-enforcement officials; what exactly are their qualifications? How can we trust the information being given to us by the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition, which amounts to nothing more than a sales pitch?

The cameras were installed without the input or consent of residents. The coalition members slyly took it upon themselves to make the decision that citizens need to be watched 24/7.

The cameras, coupled with facial recognition software, will make it possible for all of us to be watched and monitored wherever we go, whatever we do. The argument "I have nothing to hide" doesn't cut it. The potential for abuse is huge. Who will decide if what you are doing is right or wrong?

It is imperative we obtain a city ordinance making it illegal to add facial recognition software to the cameras.

-Sherry Wolfe, Lebanon


The more, the safer
I feel safe with all the cameras in the city. They are there to protect you. The only people concerned about "being seen" or "having their privacy invaded" would be criminals.

I am comfortable with some strangers sitting in front of a monitor somewhere in the city watching my every move. That means they are also keeping an eye on my safety.

Go ahead, Lancaster. Put a camera up at every nook and cranny in the city – the more, the safer.

-C.L. Conover, Landisville


DOWNTOWN COMPLEX

Shabby elevator
We visited the convention center last week before going out to dinner. Not too shabby as they say.

I had one concern, though: First impressions count and can be hard to overcome.

I parked in the garage. The area around the elevator was shabby. Shabby might be overlooked, but dirty should not be. The inside of the elevator was dirty. Also, the sign for the lobby was printed on computer paper and pasted under the button for that floor. Other signage was laminated in plastic and partially pulled off the control panel.

What a first impression for a client who drove through our beautiful countryside, chose not to use Marriott's valet service, and wound up in a dirty box.

I know the garage is owned and run by the parking authority, but after spending $180 million for the convention center complex, one would think cleaning and polishing or maybe upgrading an elevator could have found a place in the budget.

My taxes are on the hook, and I want the place to be a success.

-Ernie Nute, Lancaster


Plenty of information
In response to the letter "Racked by doubts" [June 28]: I was a guest at the Marriott for three nights. Upon entering my room, I was welcomed by a colorful magazine titled Visiting Lancaster. This 55-page publication was put together by the Convention Center staff and features information on Lancaster's history, museums, galleries, churches, shopping, dining, leisure, as well as coupons for area attractions. I took it with me when I checked out so I could refer to it in the coming months.

The author [of the letter] is correct; there are no stands in the lobby stocked with brochures. There is no need, when all guests are given this magazine. Also, if there is something the visitor is interested in and cannot find, the Marriott has concierge service.

Lastly, across the square is the Visitor's Center, open nearly every day of the year. You can't find out much more about the city than that.

-Heather Dodds-Jenkins, Mountville


WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE

Adjective avalanche
Our language has nearly twice the words of any other, but we're still way too restricted in the availability and use of adjectives. Fairly ordinary events are invariably labeled "incredible," "outstanding" or "amazing." What's wrong with "pretty good"?

You asked if every award is "coveted." Similarly, is every restaurant "gourmet," except for fast food? Every golf course "championship"? Every rental apartment "luxury"? I doubt it.

We try so hard to be accurate and sensitive at the same time. So under the photo of a thief pointing a gun at a bank teller, he's referred to as "alleged" and later, on the stand, he tells an "untruth." Sounds pretty unsmart to me.

There are hundreds of clichés, sayings and phrases we use daily, but one I |hope to avoid being associated with for many years is: "In lieu of flowers ... ."

-Herb Zimmerman, Lancaster


Monitoring misuse
A letter in Sunday's [June 21] paper spoke of wrong uses of certain words. I have a few of my own:

1. "Try and" should be "try to."

2. "I laughed all the way to the bank." This is a misquotation from flamboyant pianist Liberace, who, when asked if all the jokes about him bothered him, said, "I was so upset, I cried all the way to the bank." That at least makes sense.

3. "Hit and miss" should be "hit or miss." (It either hits or it doesn't!)

4. Misuse of pronouns. I cringe when I hear otherwise educated people on TV utter such desecrations as, "They gave it to he and I" (should be "him and me") or "Mom and me made them" (should be "Mom and I").

5. Using "than" as a preposition instead of a conjunction: "better than me" should be "better than I." The verb to complete the line is "understood," i.e., "better than I [am]."

6. Misuse of the reflexive pronoun. It is not a subject, but you see things like "My wife and myself went to the movies." Use "I" in that sentence. A correct use would be "I hurt myself." Or, in an intensive mode, "I myself prepared the meal." It cannot be used alone as a subject.

-Mildred K. Henderson, Lancaster


Not one of the guys
Adding to Betsy Hess' letter about the use of language (June 21) and the "pondering" remarks of Mr. Adams [editor's column] on that date, allow me to add another language fracture. I am referring to the widespread usage of the terms "guys" and "you guys."

From the waitstaff in restaurants to the hosts of the daily morning shows and countless others, the usage has become so commonplace and, I feel, can be quite insulting. There are young folk speaking to their elders, educated professionals speaking to their peers, and individuals speaking to strangers.

A definition in the dictionary refers to the word "guy" as a slang term. I do hope to see this use slowly disappear or, in the least, be used only in casual settings among friends.

-Joanne Martin, Mount Joy


NEWSPAPER CARRIERS

Seeds of success
How many successful people say that one of the jobs they had as a teenager was newspaper carrier?

That will no longer be the case in Lancaster County.

I am outraged that [Lancaster Newspapers] has decided to take away Sunday routes from our young people and give them to the morning motor-route delivery people who, in some cases, will work seven days a week.

Many people say kids need to learn responsibility at a young age. Now this opportunity is being taken away from those who would like to keep their routes.

-Marie Schnee, Manheim Township


OTHER TOPICS

Let's make a deal
A proposal to all politicians from an average citizen: I promise to stop caring about your family life if you promise to butt out of mine.

You want to have an affair? Fine by me. You would rather your teenager become a single mom than be exposed to sex education? I don't have a problem with that. You want to solicit a "relationship" in a restroom or from a dating service? Live and let live.

I'll gladly overlook all of the moral choices you make for you and your family if you focus on running the government and stop preaching "family values" to the rest of us. Don't tell us whom we can and can't marry. Don't interfere with patient-doctor reproductive decisions. Don't tell us what we should or shouldn't teach our children.

Deal?

-Rick Sauder, Lancaster


Thank-you note
We, the steering committee for the second Lancaster PA Pride Festival, held June 20 in Buchanan Park, would like to thank all who made this event possible and such a success. Specifically, the City of Lancaster, its public safety, parks and recreation departments, the volunteers, entertainers, vendors, Silent Witness, Franklin & Marshall College, and especially the 1,000 people who braved the not-so-perfect weather to join in celebrating diversity.

This year's successful festival celebrated not only our differences, but our numerous similarities.

-Ron Blaize, Chris Baldwin, Lauren Bitner, Nancy Gockley, Anthony Lascoskie Jr., Sue Miester, Jeff Roane, James Sawor and Mark Stoner


Good news/bad news
Thursday's newspaper announced funding of $27 million for the proposed federal courthouse. Unfortunately, most (if not all) of our local construction contractors will not be able to bid the job. Why? On Feb. 6, President Obama issued Executive Order 13502 which essentially forbids non-union contractors from working on federal projects of more than $25 million. This union-only guideline (referred to as a Project Labor Agreement) will eliminate almost all of our local construction workers.

That's right, local, willing and able contractors (who are almost exclusively non-union) will not be able to participate. Adding insult to injury, numerous studies have shown that union-only Project Labor Agreements increase construction costs by an average of 20 percent.

Decreased competition from out-of-the-area contractors combined with higher project costs during a time of soaring deficits … seem right to you?

-Dave Dvorchak, Past chair, Keystone Chapter, Associated Builders and Contractors, Lancaster


Bad connection
The other day I got a phone call from GMAC. I asked the caller what state he was calling from. He was calling from the Philippines. This made me furious that GMAC is outsourcing work to another country.

There are so many people in the States that need work. My response to the caller: I'll speak to GMAC when they have someone in the USA call.

I meant no disrespect to the man, but I was angry. You would think that big business would want to support employment at home. I have no doubt that GMAC could find employees right here.

-Patty Moore, Leola


Lost at sea
It's surprising that Lancaster County Democrats are embracing change by encouraging Lois Herr to run against Joe Pitts, again and again and again. It's old news that the voters have soundly expressed their choice of Joe Pitts.

It's also laughable that Lois continues to say that Joe Pitts isn't a problem solver. Joe has been in Washington working tirelessly to repair the economy, improve our health care system, and end our dependence on imported oil.

What has Lois Herr been doing? According to her blog, she's been on a luxury round-the-world cruise for six months, while most Americans are worried about their next paycheck, health insurance premiums and 401(k) retirement accounts.

That's hypocritical and something we should all remember in fall 2010. I would hope the Lancaster County Democrats will think about change a little more seriously.

-Bob Still, Lancaster


Putting the brakes on
This is from an open letter to our nation's leadership:

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution, believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting off course. What happened?

Do you think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to ramble unintelligently through a bill you signed into law without knowing what it contained? It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you.

Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it, but you expect that I trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children?

We did not want the Troubled Asset Relief Program. We said no.

We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by and forced upon us. We want our voice back.

-Colette Grandstaff, Elizabethtown


Picking up after people
I read that the Lancaster County Council of Churches will again lead a campaign to pick up litter in the city. One thing is certain: Volunteers will not have to look too hard for trash to pick up, as I found through my involvement with Keep Lancaster Beautiful a number of years ago.

The good news is that some people still care enough to take time to make the city a nicer place to live. The bad news is that there is a part of our society that doesn't seem to care how dirty the streets are.

Thank you to the Council of Churches, and shame on those who think the streets are trash cans.

-David W. Greiner, Lancaster


In the energy forefront
A deeply appreciative thank-you must be sent to Seth Obetz, vice chairman of Worley-Obetz, whose new policy of supplying its 25,000 customers with fuel obtained only from American sources has set a new criterion for local oil and gas companies.

Mr. Obetz has long studied the world energy situation and has been in the forefront as a leader in all forms of energy conservation. We salute his knowledge and practical application.

-Doris Burns, Manheim Township


No deficit allowed
Someone wrote in pretending to know the facts about Senate Bill 850. What they do not understand is that Pennsylvania is not authorized to operate at a deficit, as the federal government does.

S.B. 850 would balance the budget while fully funding all necessary items. But as any family would, it reduces spending on certain items. In other words, it preserves the core governmental functions of public health, public safety and education without raising taxes, which would hurt the economy.

Even the federal government has realized the need to cut taxes during the downturn.

-Paul and Lisa Buckwalter, Lancaster


Agreement on Gil
It was interesting reading what Scott Greenawalt said about Gil Smart [letter, June 21]. I, too, was delighted when I opened the June 14 paper and saw someone else's column in his place. Too short-lived, as he was back on the 21st with his usual drivel.

His prejudice against anyone who doesn't agree with him is amusing. The country is [going] down the drain and he's cheering the leaders on.

Then Kathy Brooks wrote [letter, June 21] about the demise of the paper carriers. What a pity. I have had the best paper carrier in Ben Weaver that I have ever had.

I have canceled my subscription effective June 28. I am not interested in picking up my paper out in the driveway — rain, shine, sleet, snow. You are taking jobs from ambitious young people and losing my subscription. Maybe one doesn't matter, but it is one less.

-Doris Parkes, New Holland


Payroll deductions?
Once again it looks as if the state budget will not be passed before the start of the new fiscal year.

I think we need to pass legislation stating that for each day the budget is delayed, elected officials and their staffs will have a day of pay deducted from their paychecks.

That would save money.

-Ellen Schellenberger, East Petersburg


Just say 'no'
Ever since he became president, Barack Obama has been waging an economic war against America and Americans. His actions are those of a man trying to make himself a dictator.

He has created trillions of dollars in new debts to burden America's people. He has nationalized banks and automobile companies by decree. His proposal for the government to run everyone's medical care are absolutely vicious. His so-called cap-and-trade policies are huge tax increases on all Americans. Those policies could reduce America to the economic condition of North Korea.

What more evidence against Obama does anyone need?

It is time for America and Americans to rise up and say a loud, long, and sustained "no" to everything Obama is, does and stands for. This nation was foolish enough to put Obama in the White House. We must do what we can to rectify the damage we have done.

-Kurt A. Snavely, Hershey


No free enterprise
I must agree with Anna Mae Ressler [letter, June 21] that free enterprise tops other systems. However, I am amazed that she thinks that free enterprise still exists in America.

Since the giant paper people (corporations) have been allowed to spend profits to purchase influence in the government, free enterprise has been an empty phrase in this country. The minor steps that Obama has taken to control the big companies pale in comparison to their takeover of our resources, our environment, our democracy.

Yes, I'm for free enterprise. It would be nice to have some.

-Stephen A. Kirsch, Lancaster


Take aim at peace
To the pastor in Kentucky who asked his people to bring their (unloaded) sidearms to church [article, June 28]: Why not just have each person bring a rock? That way, if assaulted, they could show their attacker the rock, hit him with it, or throw it at him. These are the same options one has when carrying an unloaded pistol.

But I have a better idea about how not to upset people. Why not have everyone who opposes the legal carrying and ownership of handguns simply pass out buttons and signs that say, "I have no guns." They can wear the button and put the sign in front of their house. That way, as more and more people follow their example, goodwill and peace will spread across the land.

-Nathan Snell, Lancaster