The state is unable to maintain its state parks. There are constantly articles and reports on the need for our youth to spend more time outdoors and less in front of televisions and computers, but how is that possible if the one place that provides outdoor and wildlife enrichment is not available?
Ryerson provides an array of activities for the community as well as neighboring states. There is hunting, fishing and hiking year-round. There is also a Winterfest every February for families and individuals alike who partake in winter outdoor activities like ice skating and scavenger hunts as well as educational venues such as hunter safety, wildlife habitat, bird identification and much more. The park is also a meeting place for local scouts and 4-H groups. Ryerson is not just a state park, it is a vital cornerstone of southwestern Greene County.
If you need solutions or suggestions on how to keep the park open on a slimmer budget, I am confident the people of Greene County can assist in that matter. We have been fighting hard for the preservation of this park for years. We are so close to having Duke Lake re-established that I am sure we are willing to take even bigger steps to keep our beloved park open.
Diane R. Greer
Wind Ridge
Concern for bridge
not just 'local'
In recent articles about the Charleroi-Monessen Bridge, your use of the word "local" troubles me when you say things like "local historians are opposing the plan" ("Charleroi-Monessen Bridge meeting announced, June 3) as if the only interest in preserving this historic resource were local. Local historians are, in fact, vocally opposing the idea of demolishing and replacing the bridge, but that is only a small part of the story.
The bridge is designated as a historic property according to the standards set forth in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Officials from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which is the federally designated state historic preservation office for Pennsylvania, have been present at meetings held locally to discuss the future of the bridge. The National Register listing for this property was not sought out because of local interest or initiative. Instead, some 27 years ago, under the auspices of PennDOT, a study was conducted of all older state-owned bridges in Pennsylvania to determine which ones meet the criteria for National Register designation. The study resulted not only in National Register listing, but also in the preparation of a book on Pennsylvania bridges that features the Charleroi-Monessen span.
Whether the local media is doing so intentionally or unintentionally, the perception that they are perpetuating is that historic preservation is trivial by comparison to state-level construction activities.
Terry A. Necciai
Alexandria, Va.
An independent board?
The Obama mindset that he is the controlling authority on everything is evidently moving into our county administrator's thoughts. After reading the Observer-Reporter May 22, this becomes apparent.
In the story on the hotel tax being used for the ball field's artificial turf, it is spelled out. The Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency was voting on the allocation of $500,000 for this project. It seems Ms. John, a member of the board, was among some of the others who were informed by Jeff Kotula that she was appointed by the Washington County Commissioners. We wonder what that means?
Tom Northrop was quoted as saying Bracken Burns told him that they could take the hotel tax money from the board since they gave it them. If this is not control of a supposedly independent board, we don't know what is.
Shame on Bracken Burns and Jeff Kotula.
Phillip and Mary Heavner
Scenery
A great performance
On June 3, my husband and I along with some friends went to hear the Canonsburg Middle School Stage Band and the Jaggerz perform. We were pleasantly surprised with a great performance. Compliments go to the retiring band director, Michael Caporizzo, Ron Levi, who helped arrange a lot of the music, and Jimmie Ross and the Jaggerz! Most, if not all, of the students got to do some solos, and what a joy to see the middle-schoolers like our '60s and '70s music.
Linda M. Caputo
Canonsburg