Note: The following letter is addressed to Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett. A copy of the letter was shared by its author with Hellertown-Lower Saucon Patch. Governor Corbett:  I am requesting that your office investigate the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's actions as they relate to the project of widening of Route 412 in Hellertown/Bethlehem.  I have never in my life seen such a traffic debacle that was done on purpose. Bad weather, serious accidents—I can understand. But this is beyond belief. I refuse to question the "planning" because whatever was done has nothing to do with…

To the editor: I could not disagree more with the foundation of Arthur Joel Katz's opinion piece "The School Board Election: A Guide for the Perplexed" (May 15, 2013). It was not a guide to the upcoming school board elections, but merely a flawed endorsement of a slate of candidates. The article should be more clearly labeled as an editorial. Joel starts his opinion piece on the belief that the large candidate pool is solely an indication that many do not know what they are getting themselves into. He believes that only "magic" can provide the patience and knowledge to make the tough …

To the editor: The traffic on 412 on Saturday afternoon after the dump truck accident was a nightmare! Traffic was backed up south on Main Street all the way to Water Street! The ramps coming off of I-78 were a parking lot and traffic was backing up on the highway as a result! The sirens from the emergency vehicles were blasting their horns for about 15 minutes trying to get to or from the accident scene to no avail, as all the roads were clogged with traffic and no place to move out of the way! This cannot continue for the next year! PennDOT needs to rethink their plans and perhaps think …

Dear Hellertown-Lower Saucon residents: A heart-felt thank you is in order! I have been selected by the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Day Committee as the newest chair of the group. No worries Hellertown and Lower Saucon residents, Craig Medei will continue to serve on the committee and be the voice of Community Day; the day would not be the same without him. With my deepest gratitude I recognize the size of the footsteps that I must fill, literally and metaphorically! Craig Medei and the committee have paved a path of success for this event and I plan on continuing this tradition. We …

To the editor: I live on Washington Street in Hellertown and used to be able to avoid Rt. 412 when going into Bethlehem. I would take High Street to Ravena and continue on the back roads until getting to the Lynn Street Bridge that comes out onto 412. More than two years ago the "powers that be" decided that the bridges along High Street could no longer support traffic, so they simply put up a "Road Closed" sign and went about their merry way. Of course there is the usual finger pointing—Hellertown says it's Bethlehem's fault and Bethlehem says it's Hellertown's problem, and they both blame …

To the editor: "Ignorance is not the mother of devotion, but the mother of darkness, stupidity, superstition, and all kinds of error and degradation." This quotation is found in "The Golden Censer," written by Rev. H. Harbaugh, D.D., and published by the Board of the Reformed Church in the U.S. in 1860. It seems that ignorance has not diminished in 2013, exemplified by abuse of Hellertown's rail trail and the old trail leading past the remains of Saucon Iron Company and woodland, otherwise known as the Cinderbank area. Fortunately, the vast majority of Hellertown's citizenry cares for these …

To the editor: My favorite classic rock tune is Bob Seger's "Against the Wind." It is symbolic of my life led by the theory that one must get involved in controversy rather than look the other way. This is why I have waged war against motorized dirt bikes and ATVs defacing the surface of the rail trail. This is why I have waged war against dog crappers abusing the area. I celebrated Valentine's Day by chasing a dirt bike out of the Hellertown Cinder Banks and taking note of its four lookouts who watch out for police, Weidner and other vigilantes or vigilant citizens who give a damn and refuse…

To the editor: I do not wish to be the friend of lawbreakers, such as those who deface public property, spew litter all over, distribute illegal drugs, distribute illegal gaming machines, ignore speed limits and stop signs, those who rape and pillage, who steal and maim, who bully others without restraint and concern for others. I refuse to look the other way when feral cat colonies are fed by the stupid or those who race dirt bikes illegally or prey upon the helpless. Maybe some folks, a majority, do not want to get involved for fear of retribution. I choose not to live in fear. So last …

To the editor: In recent press accounts, Congressman Charlie Dent echoed the standard Republican litany that the President has not presented any plans to solve the sequestration crisis. He said, "I want to see something." I think perhaps Congressman Dent has donned the standard Republican eyeware: namely, blinders to anything that fairly distributes the financial burdens of this country, blinders that only allow deficit reduction on the backs of the poor and the middle class. Plans abound, Congressman Dent, you just don’t seem to want to see them. Last week, Senate Democrats produced a much …

To the Editor,I read today ("Saucon Valley to Consider Placing Armed Officer on Campus," The Morning Call, Feb. 13, 2013) that Saucon Valley School District is contemplating the addition of an armed guard at its Polk Valley Road campus. The officer would cost the district $126,000, according to school board member, Ralph Puerta. An additional $3,100 would be required to install a new lock system and surveillance cameras at school entrances. Another $17,000 would be required to install bollards at entrances, to prevent forcible vehicular entry into the schools. These security measures will be …

To the editor: After much observation and many demonstrations along Main Street, Hellertown, I am convinced that local police in Pennsylvania need legal empowerment by the state legislature to use radar to control speeding vehicles of all sorts. It took much work to get the speed limit lowered to 30mph on Route 412 in the borough, despite councilman Richard Staffieri's public statement, "You're just spinning your wheels, Weidner, if you expect that to happen," several years ago. That's exactly the point. I'd like the spinning of motorists' wheels to decrease in order to abide by the posted …

To the editor:  Hellertown dog owners, stop, look and listen to your conscience if you abuse the Rail-Trail by not ridding the area of your canine's feces. Stop and look at the dog waste sign at Water Street Park. Read item #4 on the Saucon Rail Trail welcome sign. These rules are clear. You will be identified and fined. People are watching you. The new signs at Hellertown Marsh are for the good of all. They do not need poop lying next to them. Look at these photos. Listen to a tall old guy call you stupid for not cleaning up after your doggie. Remember that "ignorance is teachable; stupidity…

To the editor: An interesting mode of fraud happened to me Friday night (Jan. 11, 2013) at the Giant in Hellertown. I got a movie at the Redbox to watch after dinner. A few hours later, we were ready to watch the movie. I opened the case, and the only thing there was a PHOTOCOPY of the DVD, with the scan pattern placed in the correct position, enabling the person who previously rented it to return the empty box with the piece of paper instead of the disc. I called Redbox, who of course have the credit card number of the person who had just rented it. That person had only had it out for a few …

To the editor: Hellertown Rails-to-Trails between Water and Walnut streets has become an eye- and nose-sore for the passerby. One irresponsible dog owner is using 150 feet along the west side of the trail as his or her private depository for the family canine's feces. Measurement of the piles and DNA test results have proven the single offender. Why is it so difficult to carry a plastic bag to clean up your bow-wow's messes, you Hellertown scoundrel? Two memorial benches overlook the area, behind which are found great views of the Hellertown Marsh and a soccer field. You, fellow citizen, are …

When fat cat Republicans resist the Pennsylvania Democrats' attempts to outlaw speaking on cell phones while driving, we're in trouble. When fat cat Democrats wish to infringe on the Second Amendment, we're in trouble. When both parties in PA cannot see the benefits of allowing local police to use radar to control speeds, we're in trouble. Locally, when motorists refuse to allow pedestrians to cross the street when within a designated crosswalk, we're in trouble. When local gaming illegally continues unabated due to scoundrel distributors of such equipment, we're in trouble. When Hellertown …

To the editor: On Election Day, the American people emphatically showed their support for President Obama's tax plan. In particular, citizens in both parties overwhelmingly approved, and increasingly approve of, that portion of the plan that will maintain tax rates for over 98 percent of individuals while modestly raising taxes on the very wealthy. This proposal is not revolutionary or unprecedented; rather, it calls for a regimen under which the highest individual rates under discussion will be those that were in place prior to the Bush tax cuts. This is a fair, just and appropriate way to …

To the editor: The Center for Animal Health and Welfare will remain a viable shelter for stray and ownerless companion animals in Northampton County. However, in an effort to contain spiraling costs and address the issue of increasing numbers of stray animals in Northampton County, the Center has decided to modify its municipal animal control contract. Starting on Jan. 1, 2013, we will no longer be accepting municipal animal control contracts and will no longer be an “open” shelter. Instead, the Center will treat animals from all sources in a manner similar to a private relinquishment. The …

To the editor: Gee, whiz, guess what I found discarded in the woods below Blinderman's of Hellertown? Lying there innocently lay a red and white sign posted by the Borough of Hellertown previously. Once upon a time, a few years ago, the wooded areas nearby were to be sold to a notorious developer by certain borough officials. They, however, were thwarted by the citizenry who wished the woodland not to be sold and ruined. Recently, citizens have had the pleasure of a beautiful walking and biking trail, only to be unlawfully invaded by ignorant dirt bikes with motors and ATVs. Well, it really …

To the Editor: I would like to thank Dr. Sandra Fellin and Wally Zimpfer, both from Saucon Valley School District. These two people were quick to get a handle on the needs of the residents within the school district by putting together a warming station/shelter for those affected (by the power outages). A fellow co-worker and I volunteered on Saturday night at the SVSD shelter/warming station and we saw firsthand how residents of the school district (Lower Saucon Township and Hellertown Borough) benefited from their kindness.  As Dr. Fellin stated to me, “it takes a team,” and she is …

To the editor: To me, it's fun to entertain the thought that in the 21st century, we need to revert to prehistoric tactics of the Stone Age to discourage the interlopers in the form of ATV drivers who wish to ruin the Hellertown portion of the Rails to Trails and disrupt the peace and quiet of the Thomas Iron wildlife refuge. However, do whatever works. I appreciate the boulder barricade at the west end of Thomas Avenue and the efforts of those who placed it there. No ATVs will enter or leave the area by that route. Thank you. May the boulders prevail also at other locations. Let the …