https://lebtown.com/category/opinions-letters/ Lebanon County, PA news, events, and opinions. Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:28:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://images.phillypublishing.com/lebtown/uploads/2019/06/cropped-Artboard-5-32x32.png https://lebtown.com/category/opinions-letters/ 32 32 https://lebtown.com/2024/01/26/letter-removal-of-drop-box-raises-questions-about-voting-accessibility/ https://lebtown.com/2024/01/26/letter-removal-of-drop-box-raises-questions-about-voting-accessibility/#respond Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:15:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=201531 Lebanon County Democratic Committee member Monica von Dobeneck writes in a letter to the editor: "The commissioners should be encouraging people to vote, instead of making it harder."]]> https://lebtown.com/2024/01/26/letter-removal-of-drop-box-raises-questions-about-voting-accessibility/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/10/05/nasda-conference-unites-agriculture-leaders-around-common-challenges-shared-solutions/ https://lebtown.com/2023/10/05/nasda-conference-unites-agriculture-leaders-around-common-challenges-shared-solutions/#respond Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:45:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=190358 "Agriculture is the backbone of our nation, providing food, fiber, and countless other essential resources."]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/10/05/nasda-conference-unites-agriculture-leaders-around-common-challenges-shared-solutions/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/10/02/column-save-the-primary-date/ https://lebtown.com/2023/10/02/column-save-the-primary-date/#respond Mon, 02 Oct 2023 13:30:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=190090 "The dangers of moving up the primary at this late date are clear and present, while the benefits – if any – are minimal at best."]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/10/02/column-save-the-primary-date/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/08/10/letter-meuser-shares-update-fighting-to-preserve-americas-small-businesses/ https://lebtown.com/2023/08/10/letter-meuser-shares-update-fighting-to-preserve-americas-small-businesses/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:45:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=185667 Congressman Dan Meuser: "Small businesses are the strength of our economy, innovation, and job creation."]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/08/10/letter-meuser-shares-update-fighting-to-preserve-americas-small-businesses/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/05/30/column-federal-ban-of-flavored-milk-in-school-cafeterias-would-be-harmful/ https://lebtown.com/2023/05/30/column-federal-ban-of-flavored-milk-in-school-cafeterias-would-be-harmful/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 14:47:04 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=179238 "This latest push to further limit milk options for students will further diminish the supply of natural, delicious nutrients in our schools and for our children’s health."]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/05/30/column-federal-ban-of-flavored-milk-in-school-cafeterias-would-be-harmful/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/04/14/in-recognition-of-national-health-care-decisions-day-importance-of-advance-care-planning-conversations-stressed/ https://lebtown.com/2023/04/14/in-recognition-of-national-health-care-decisions-day-importance-of-advance-care-planning-conversations-stressed/#respond Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:15:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=173624 It always seems too early, until it’s too late.]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/04/14/in-recognition-of-national-health-care-decisions-day-importance-of-advance-care-planning-conversations-stressed/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/04/07/column-city-of-lebanon-authority-explains-water-rate-increase/ https://lebtown.com/2023/04/07/column-city-of-lebanon-authority-explains-water-rate-increase/#respond Fri, 07 Apr 2023 10:30:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=173233 If you are a City of Lebanon Authority customer – a designation that applies to about 70,000 Lebanon County residents, including households, businesses, and municipalities – you may have noticed that your water rates increased slightly on April 1.]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/04/07/column-city-of-lebanon-authority-explains-water-rate-increase/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/02/15/column-pennsylvania-republicans-need-a-3-point-game/ https://lebtown.com/2023/02/15/column-pennsylvania-republicans-need-a-3-point-game/#respond Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:30:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=167902 State Rep. Russ Diamond (R-102) shares his thoughts on why Pennsylvania Republicans need to embrace the new rules of mail-in ballots, just like basketball teams once adapted to the advent of the 3-pointer.]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/02/15/column-pennsylvania-republicans-need-a-3-point-game/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/01/09/letter-our-new-reps-can-help-fix-rules-fund-schools/ https://lebtown.com/2023/01/09/letter-our-new-reps-can-help-fix-rules-fund-schools/#respond Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:50:57 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=164207 Two Lebanon residents share their hopes for state Rep. John Schlegel and state Sen. Chris Gebhard as their terms begin.]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/01/09/letter-our-new-reps-can-help-fix-rules-fund-schools/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2023/01/09/letter-congressman-meuser-shares-agenda-for-newly-expanded-pa-9th/ https://lebtown.com/2023/01/09/letter-congressman-meuser-shares-agenda-for-newly-expanded-pa-9th/#respond Mon, 09 Jan 2023 12:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=163978 Congressman Dan Meuser: "The district is large, larger than the state of Connecticut, and my team and I are looking forward to thoroughly serving each county in a highly responsive manner."]]> https://lebtown.com/2023/01/09/letter-congressman-meuser-shares-agenda-for-newly-expanded-pa-9th/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2022/08/09/column-six-good-reasons-for-teaching-writing/ Tue, 09 Aug 2022 10:15:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=151771 Read why residents of Cornwall Manor initiated a pen-pal program with local students.]]> https://lebtown.com/2022/08/02/column-we-need-to-teach-personal-financial-education-in-our-high-schools/ Tue, 02 Aug 2022 10:15:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=151177 "From daily purchases to long-term financial planning, becoming proficient at money management is a critical skill all Pennsylvanians need."]]> https://lebtown.com/2022/06/01/letter-developers-of-lebanon-catholic-site-should-save-donaghmore-mansion/ Wed, 01 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=145370 "While it may seem that there are historic buildings aplenty here, the truth is too many have been lost due to a lack of preservation efforts."]]> https://lebtown.com/2022/02/16/column-free-trauma-therapy-is-a-win-win-for-lebanon-county-residents/ Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:31:18 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=137160 The COVID-19 pandemic had social and mental health impacts, but our community has tools to combat them.]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/12/13/letter-reader-response-to-dec-9-letter-by-congressman-meuser/ https://lebtown.com/2021/12/13/letter-reader-response-to-dec-9-letter-by-congressman-meuser/#respond Mon, 13 Dec 2021 12:54:06 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=118714 Reader response to last week's column by Rep. Dan Meuser: "It may surprise Mr. Meuser that some of his constituents are critical thinkers. We need references for your analysis/statements."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/12/13/letter-reader-response-to-dec-9-letter-by-congressman-meuser/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/12/09/letter-congressman-meuser-america-faces-self-inflicted-energy-crisis/ https://lebtown.com/2021/12/09/letter-congressman-meuser-america-faces-self-inflicted-energy-crisis/#respond Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=117211 Congressman Dan Meuser: "Just a short time ago America was energy independent."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/12/09/letter-congressman-meuser-america-faces-self-inflicted-energy-crisis/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/12/06/letter-seniors-could-realize-significant-windfall-from-retirement-tax/ Mon, 06 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=116161 "Recently a few letters were published attacking Representative Frank Ryan and his planned introduction of the School Property Tax Elimination Act better known as HB13, named after the original 13 colonies."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/11/15/column-remembering-a-saint-who-touched-our-lives/ Mon, 15 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=110552 "Father Ed was the closest thing to a living saint that I ever met."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/11/01/letter-taxpayers-teachers-and-voters-should-be-up-in-arms/ Mon, 01 Nov 2021 11:22:38 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=108702 Calvin Clements shares his thoughts on the controversies surrounding the Pennsylvania Public Schools Employees’ Retirement System.]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/10/26/letter-taxing-retirement-income-is-still-a-bad-plan-2/ Tue, 26 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=108139 Reader response to the September 20 letter by Dr. Calvin Clements entitled, “Taxing retirement income is still a bad plan."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/10/25/letter-appellate-judge-races-deserve-publics-attention-reasoned-decisions/ Mon, 25 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=107973 Reader letter: "I encourage all citizens to carefully review the qualifications of the candidates running for our appellate courts."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/20/letter-taxing-retirement-income-is-still-a-bad-plan/ Mon, 20 Sep 2021 09:50:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=104975 Calvin Clements shares his thoughts on taxing retirement income.]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/08/letter-lebanon-solar-protects-my-future-and-the-future-of-farming/ Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:39:26 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=103802 "My family has recently made a very hard decision and we have come to the conclusion that we need to make our land available for the Lebanon Solar Project."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/07/reach-out-to-help-prevent-veteran-suicide/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=103728 Lebanon VA Medical Center executive director: "Suicide is a national public health concern that affects all Americans, including Veterans, their families and their friends."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/07/column-wellspan-hospitalization-data-vaccines-are-safe-and-effective-at-preventing-serious-illness-and-hospitalizations/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=103748 WellSpan Chief Physician Executive: "The evidence supporting this vaccine simply gets stronger every day. There is no need to wait and see. The time is now to act."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/07/letter-solar-farms-benefit-family-farms/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=103768 "This solar farm can keep my family farm in the family."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/07/letter-solar-farms-are-family-farms-in-north-annville-township/ Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=103772 "For Lebanon Solar’s project in North Annville Township, solar farms are family farms."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/09/01/letter-what-we-say-matters-accurate-language-about-sexual-assault-promotes-healing-and-prevention/ Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=102781 SARCC CEO Ali Perrotto: "Every day we educate our community on the importance of using accurate and accountable language when it comes to sexual victimization."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/08/31/letter-franks-right-and-its-destroying-the-pasd/ https://lebtown.com/2021/08/31/letter-franks-right-and-its-destroying-the-pasd/#respond Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:45:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=102647 Palmyra resident Dave Laudermilch responds to a recent column by state Rep. Frank Ryan. ]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/08/31/letter-franks-right-and-its-destroying-the-pasd/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/08/23/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-school-budgets-and-the-way-ahead/ https://lebtown.com/2021/08/23/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-school-budgets-and-the-way-ahead/#respond Mon, 23 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=101711 State Rep. Frank Ryan writes: "The Fiscal Year Budget for FY 2021-22 has finally passed in Harrisburg and the impact on our local schools of that budget is significant."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/08/23/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-school-budgets-and-the-way-ahead/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/08/23/letter-school-board-or-fool-board/ https://lebtown.com/2021/08/23/letter-school-board-or-fool-board/#respond Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:50:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=101718 CLSD parent Kevin Keller: "Schools should not be places to watch politics play out."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/08/23/letter-school-board-or-fool-board/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/08/19/letter-is-enel-telling-the-truth-about-taxes/ Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=101470 "I am focusing on the incremental tax that Enel will pay after removing these farms from Clean & Green—in other words, the taxes over and above what the hard-working farmers all pay today."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/07/26/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-the-epidemic-of-identity-theft/ https://lebtown.com/2021/07/26/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-the-epidemic-of-identity-theft/#respond Mon, 26 Jul 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=98752 State Rep. Frank Ryan writes: "Identity theft is truly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/07/26/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-the-epidemic-of-identity-theft/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/07/22/looking-at-growth-from-a-different-perspective/ https://lebtown.com/2021/07/22/looking-at-growth-from-a-different-perspective/#respond Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:45:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=98454 Lebanon Valley Chamber president Karen Groh: "If you want things to be better, to look better, to function better, let’s support those who see opportunity in Lebanon County. We should be grateful they believe in us.]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/07/22/looking-at-growth-from-a-different-perspective/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/07/09/letter-political-representation-should-not-be-subject-to-tests/ https://lebtown.com/2021/07/09/letter-political-representation-should-not-be-subject-to-tests/#respond Fri, 09 Jul 2021 11:18:01 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=97280 "If every elected official can now set their own test for who is accepted vs. rejected in this country and borough, where are we as a Nation, a State?"]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/07/09/letter-political-representation-should-not-be-subject-to-tests/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/06/24/letter-better-suited-places-for-panels-and-farmland-as-essential-public-work/ Thu, 24 Jun 2021 10:15:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=95996 "Even if you say developers have no problem waiting decades to try to change agricultural land into commercial land, I am willing to fight for the rest of my life to preserve agricultural land, and I know many other young farmers are willing to do the same."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/06/22/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-critical-race-theory-protecting-womens-sports-and-educational-priorities/ https://lebtown.com/2021/06/22/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-critical-race-theory-protecting-womens-sports-and-educational-priorities/#respond Tue, 22 Jun 2021 10:30:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=95646 State Rep. Frank Ryan writes: "Since I was first elected in 2016, I have never seen so many e-mails and received so many calls from parents about our schools."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/06/22/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-critical-race-theory-protecting-womens-sports-and-educational-priorities/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/06/22/letter-farmer-supporting-north-annville-solar-project-2/ Tue, 22 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=95523 "The good news is that there is ample land in Pennsylvania that is well-suited for solar development—it’s just not in North Annville Township."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/06/21/letter-farmer-supporting-north-annville-solar-project/ https://lebtown.com/2021/06/21/letter-farmer-supporting-north-annville-solar-project/#respond Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=95430 "I’d like to voice my support for the proposed solar farm off of Blacks Bridge Road."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/06/21/letter-farmer-supporting-north-annville-solar-project/feed/ 0 https://lebtown.com/2021/05/26/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-senior-care-in-a-post-covid-world/ https://lebtown.com/2021/05/26/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-senior-care-in-a-post-covid-world/#respond Wed, 26 May 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://lebtown.com/?p=92652 State Rep. Frank Ryan writes: "With the number of cases of COVID-19 dropping rapidly in our area, in the Commonwealth and around the Nation, the reality of the post COVID-19 world is first and foremost in our minds in the legislature."]]> https://lebtown.com/2021/05/26/column-state-rep-frank-ryan-on-senior-care-in-a-post-covid-world/feed/ 0