Let's start talking about Pittsburgh's pluses

OK -- so we're 59th in population among U.S. cities and dropped two spots ("Pittsburgh Population Drops, But It's Still in Top 25 Percent," July 10). Did anyone at the PG ever consider writing about the pluses of living in the Burgh vs. Bakersfield, Calif.; Aurora, Colo.; or Las Vegas, Nev.? No -- you talk about a decline in population -- a mere 2,450 residents who either died or moved to a warmer climate.

I've had it with Pittsburgh bashing -- the city is going through another renaissance with the rebirth of its Downtown core; it has one of the best cultural districts in the country; offers access to world-class health care; has great professional and collegiate sports; is a safe place to raise a family; has affordable housing; and has a skilled work force to rival any. Why did American Eagle locate in the South Side or Westinghouse and Medrad in the North Hills, and why did emerging companies spun off by research at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon make their homes here?

Tongue-in-cheek, you say we are ahead of Toledo and half the size of Columbus. The only thing in Columbus is Ohio State -- remember our little "farm school" in central Pennsylvania?

We have much work to do, and the Allegheny Conference faces numerous challenges at home and in Harrisburg, but life here is good and getting better all the time. The world should know it, and you should spread the word or move to Las Vegas, Toledo or -- what's it called -- McKinney, Texas!

CLIFFORD R. ROWE JR.
Chief Executive Officer
P.J Dick Inc., Trumbull Corp. and Lindy Paving Corp.
West Mifflin

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PG, please explain

The PG's July 15 editorial "Ironic Iraq: Maliki Government Wants U.S. Withdrawal" stated: "The argument that chaos would follow a U.S. withdrawal is an equally dead-end argument." Why? Because the PG says so. No reasons given.

But I want to help.

The PG apparently believes success is being achieved and the Maliki government can succeed without us. The PG has never before expressed belief in the prospect for U.S. success but now does because Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Kamal al-Maliki (who has the elected right) asked for a timetable on his own, as opposed to our Democratic leadership, who are invested in defeat (read: Barack Obama). President Bush has said on more than one occasion (which the PG didn't mention) that if the Maliki government wants us to leave, we will leave.

The real irony is that if the Iraqi government is not truly ready, then the real dead-end argument is that they are dead meat (as in Vietnam) and naturally the PG will blame President Bush.

Having it both ways, you see.

There, did I help?

TOM MINNICK
Dormont

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A weedy welcome

Truer words were never spoken than in a letter from a person who lives in Mount Washington regarding Grandview Avenue ("Not So Grand," June 24).

Recently, I had out-of-state guests whom I took to the incline to see the city. I was very proud of the original condition of the "cars," including the wood, floors, landing and all the information provided with pictures from the past. The observation deck was spotless, well-kept and painted. It was great.

When we stepped out on Grandview and walked, looking for a nice restaurant, my mouth dropped. It looked like a forgotten place with overgrown weeds as high as a fence all the way down until another building, then the same over again.

The people who live in the high-priced apartments with scenic views have nothing once they go out of their buildings.

The next time I go with guests, I will go up the incline and straight back down because that was the part I was really proud of.

Let's "redd up" Grandview so we can not only look down at the view, but also look up and be proud.

JANET TRAUTMAN
Elliott

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Worth reading

I had just finished reading the best seller "Three Cups of Tea," when, to my surprise at breakfast the next day, I opened the Post-Gazette to see the article by New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof about this marvelous book and the story of one man's fight against terrorism ("It Takes a School," July 14).

This beautifully written chronicle about Greg Mortenson's mission of peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan by building schools and educating their children is truly moving and should be required reading in every high school social studies class this fall. We take our educational system for granted in this country, but the people in the poor rural villages described in the book cherish the schools that "Dr. Greg" builds above all else.

Greg Mortenson is a true humanitarian in the greatest sense of the word, and it would not surprise me if one day he wins the Nobel Peace Prize. For more on this astonishing story, visit www.threecupsoftea.com.

LINDA D. GRIMM
Washington, Pa.

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Get over it, bars

Why all the fuss over the drink tax and rental car tax? Contrary to popular belief, Pittsburgh never was and never will be a self-sustaining area. An influx of continuous new dollars is needed to aid our local economies.

A recent trip to Florida showed a 9.8 percent concession/recovery fee along with a $2 a day surcharge, 2-cent daily tire and battery fee, a 46-cent-a-day license recoupment charge and 6.5 percent sales tax. All these added $71 to our weekly car rental.

As for the drink tax, a review of alcohol prices shows a lot of establishments increased their drink prices by 50 percent or more. I think someone else is gouging the public more so than the government.

If you have a good establishment with good employees offering good food and proper entertainment, they will come. No one is going to drive an extra 20 miles to save a few pennies on a drink, especially with the cost of fuel and possible DUI consequences. These crying bar owners are all wet.

DALE SZAREJKO
Baldwin Borough

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Local funds and joy

This is to address the letter writer who wrote in against local communities "wasting" their money on fireworks and parades during Fourth of July celebrations ("Forgo Fireworks and Put the Cash to Better Use," July 10). He suggests that next year they forgo the celebrations and give the money to help our vets returning from Iraq.

I know him ... he is probably the person who retires to bed at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve and calls to complain about the awful racket at midnight. I have a better idea: Why stop at eliminating fireworks, why don't we arrest Santa, that expensive do-gooder; capture the tooth fairy, a thief; and feed the hungry with rabbit stew at Easter?

Just because he finds fireworks "a waste" does not mean everyone shares his opinion. The local communities' money is just that -- for the local community. It cannot be earmarked for federally funded programs.

While I sympathize with our men and women returning from the horrors of a senseless war, local tax money cannot be used to subsidize programs funded by the federal government. I can agree that if a community is struggling, then maybe spending tax dollars on fireworks is not the best choice. But often, these fireworks are paid for by businesses in the area or sponsored by some other private entity.

Please, the next time you want to ban celebrations that have brought joy to many, many people, for many, many years, spend your precious time gathering the facts.

KIMBERLY McGUILL
Plum

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Gas-guzzling speeders can't complain about fuel prices

I recently had the occasion to drive the Parkway several times. While traveling at the speed limit, I was passed by nearly all vehicles traveling in the same direction. Many were gas-guzzling pickup trucks and large SUVs. Don't these drivers realize they are wasting gas equivalent to 50 cents a gallon?

I recently visited England, paying $9 per gallon for regular gas. They do have a much smaller country, but high gas taxes have been used to subsidize and encourage an excellent public transport system.

What most drivers do not realize is that gas is not expensive, but rather that in the past it has been too cheap. Because it was cheap we have naturally fashioned our lives around suburban living, long commutes and gas-guzzling cars. Yes, I am sure $4 gas does hurt for some -- but apparently not for many Parkway drivers.

JOHN F. MELLOR
Plum Borough

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