Letters to the editor
With gratitude to Coal Center
Due to two flat tires from an object at the California highway exit, my husband and I were left stranded in Coal Center last Friday night. We were many miles away from our Northern Virginia home as well as our Canonsburg destination.
Fortunately, my vehicle safely made it from the exit ramp to a parking lot near the post office, but a tow would take over 90 minutes, and it was already dark. You can imagine my worries at that time; it was cold, we had luggage, we knew no one in the area, nor did the insurance company that was sending the tow-truck.
First, we found our way to the community watering hole: Lagerheads. Not only was the waitress, Lucia P., sweet and attentive but a nearby customer hearing our plight offered to help. Simply being received by nice people put me at ease. That said, we desperately needed a place to stay and a place to repair our car.
I reached the only nearby hotel, which was at capacity due to a college homecoming. The front desk woman, kind Connie, must have heard my worry because she worked some magic and found us a room. Requiring no more than my name and number, Connie held that room for us.
A tow truck driver arrived after dinner, and his flatbed drove us to the Solomon’s Jeep dealership. Of course, the service center was closed at 10 p.m., but the business was well lit, had a key drop and provided a bench for us to wait for an Uber. The Uber driver, Richard, was like every local we had met – very nice.
Thanks to Connie, there was a room for us and our stay included a delicious breakfast.
At the earliest possible hour, we called the Jeep service center. Only one mechanic was working from 9 a.m. to noon but the shop promised to do what it could.
Just before noon on Saturday morning, Dave was finishing up patching — from the inside — both of my blown-out tires. For the patches, labor and service, the charge was miraculously under $70. We were — incredibly — on our way to see family by lunch.
Some may say that these kind folks were merely “doing their job” but every person we encountered turned a terrible car experience into an unfortunate mishap. These events could have resulted in something much more miserable, but because of the good people in Coal Center, we were fed, housed, safe and pleasantly detoured for 15 hours.
I wanted the community to know how much this former “small-town girl” really appreciates your citizens and how their kindness reaches well beyond the state of Pennsylvania.
Cathryn Evans
Alexandria, Va.
Make a difference
All Republican incumbents on the November ballot did not attend a recent candidates’ forum hosted by the Washington High School Student Life group, the NAACP and The League of Women Voters
Not a good impression.
All Democratic candidates did. Three Republican candidates sent written statements. Each statement was read to the attendees by a student. Two written statements were submitted by female incumbents, and one by a first-time candidate.
Kudos.
U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler refused to answer questionnaires offered to him for voter information guides.
The Washington County commissioners were invited. Commissioner Larry Maggi attended.
Kudos to Mr. Maggi.
However one votes, the elected candidates are to represent all constituents. To make yourself invisible is unacceptable.
In August, there was a celebration of the 19th Amendment. It was a non-political event. All elected officials were invited. Sen. Camera Bartolotta sent a representative. All other incumbents were not present.
Not a good look.
The League of Women Voters is non-partisan and its mission is voter education and participation. The League has a voter’s guide. Get a free copy.
If you favor term limits, now is your chance to make a difference.
Camille Papia
Amwell Township
Competition is good
On Oct. 19, KDKA Channel 2 in Pittsburgh reported that the West Virginia University Health System is in the process of acquiring a brand new, state of the art Airbus helicopter which is now being built in Germany. The aircraft will be used for patient transport and is slated to go into service sometime next year. It will be based in Greensburg near Westmoreland Hospital.
Recall that WVU Medicine recently took over five hospitals of the Independence Health System here in western Pennsylvania; Westmoreland was one of those five. The growing footprint of WVU Medicine, bolstered by its helicopter, should bleed business away from Pittsburgh toward Morgantown and help stymie that monopolistic behemoth which is UPMC.
Those UPMC administrators with multimillion-dollar salaries may not like it, but competition is good.
Douglas T. Corwin Jr., M.D.
East Washington