Neighborhoods suffer for others’ transit woes

Will wonders never cease when it comes to sticking it to the neighborhoods when someone else has a problem? In reading the July 29 article “Protesters March to Protect and Preserve the Panther Hollow and The Run Neighborhoods,” it looks like Hazelwood and Greenfield will bear the brunt of a new plan to benefit UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and other “undisclosed private partners” that desperately need relief from parking problems that they themselves created.

“The projected low-speed, oncall shuttle system would pass through The Run and Panther Hollow on a new path through Schenley Park.” Why not use Bates street, which is already there? Oh, that’s right, that road is already overburdened with traffic from the technology center and the Hot Metal Bridge. And the city neglected to ever do anything about that nightmare of a traffic jam road.

Maybe it’s time to get UPMC, Pitt, Carnegie Mellon and other “undisclosed private partners” to find an empty lot in Oakland and build a “Cathedral of Parking” to solve their problem. JERRY FITZGIBBON

North Versailles

We welcome your opinion

Years ago, someone advised me that the best way to get to know a place was to read letters to the editor. Though not new here, I say, “Thanks” to all who feel it a civic duty to inform others of the good and bad in our communities.

On Aug. 2, I especially appreciated letters by Robert Fraser ( “Cal Thomas’ Argument Against Socialism Is Weak”) exposing a flawed argument; Kay Baum ( “Insurance Cruelty”) about the Highmark-UPMC fiasco; Dwayne Kiger ( “About Evangelicals”) (what goes on in religious groups?); Rebecca Shaffer ( “Climate and Ticks”) about the environment; and Daniel Pituch, Michael Zamagias and Richard M. Celko, writing about volunteers who support the efforts of Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh’s free dental clinic.

I could have used this opportunity to expound upon many already known arguments of respect, civic duties, inclusion, corruption, etc., to which I would only add, at this point, let’s all take a breath, think a moment, use common sense to stop allowing issues of religion and belief to be decided by the courts and, most important, always do our best to beware false prophets. BARRY G. GOVENOR

Brentwood

We need to teach our kids and grown-ups to do something nice every day for someone.

It is so easy to be mean to someone, and it can be hard to be nice to someone. We need to teach this not only to ourselves as adults but also to our children as they grow up.

Whatever happened to “yes, sir”/”no sir” and “thank you”?

Be a leader, parents. Show an example. Start at home! And start loving your neighbor. CHUCK RAY

Chalfant