Letters to the editor: Thanks to all who helped to make LuHowl a big success

Note: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Claire Jantz, the DCNR Deputy Secretary.

Thanks to all who helped make LuHowl a big success

To the editor:

On June 8, local animal lovers and those from as far away as Texas and Hawaii gathered at the 19 ^th annual LuHowl to benefit spay and neuter programs at the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC). Thanks to our gracious hosts, Don and Mary Bowman, the beautiful Milestone Farm provided a picturesque setting for the shelter’s annual summer kickoff.

LuHowl was made possible thanks to the support of the evening’s leading sponsor, The Hershey Group at RBC Wealth Management. In addition, The Holzapfel Group at Morgan Stanley and Younger Toyota provided generous support.

HSWC would also like to thank additional sponsors, our staff and volunteers, the businesses and individuals who donated auction and raffle items, and our guests who made the evening a huge success. Together, we raised more than $31,000 for the animals of Washington County!

We also celebrated the 11th annual Jone Bowman Champ Award recipient, Doug Arnall. He was honored for his efforts leading the shelter’s volunteer dog training program and for the countless hours he spends working with some of the shelter’s most vulnerable canines. Doug embodies the spirit of the Jone Bowman Champ Award, as he is a true friend to both animals at the shelter and throughout the community.

We are humbled by the outpouring of local support and are grateful for everyone who helped make the evening a success for the animals!

Colin A. Berry, M.S.

Executive Director

Humane Society of Washington County

Hagerstown

Maybe Ten Commandments should be posted in RNC Headquarters

To the editor:

Fundamentalist Christians are putting the Ten Commandments in Louisiana public schools.

Now, their kids will know God is deeply offended by stealing, coveting thy neighbor’s wife, coveting thy neighbors goods, adultery and bearing false witness.

And, this November, those kids will watch their parents vote for convicted felon Donald Trump.

Maybe the Ten Commandments should be posted in the RNC Headquarters, instead of a public school.

Patricia Taylor

Williamsport

Listen to Franklin County residents about South Mountain Golf Course

To the editor:

Re: letter sent to Gov. Shapiro

Dick George, Dave George (South Mountain Golf Course (SMGC) Lessee), Bob Ziobrowski (Franklin County Commissioner) and I were invited to Harrisburg to meet with Secretary Cindy Dunn. We didn't ask for this meeting. Claire Jantz, Deputy Secretary, requested several times that we come to Harrisburg and present to senior DCNR management.

The meeting started with Secretary Dunn saying she was participating at the governor’s request and that closing SMGC will continue regardless of what we say. Nevertheless, as requested, I still presented the views of the people of Franklin County. Why invite us to a meeting to tell us nothing we say matters?

According to DCNR, they spent eight years studying and evaluating where to put a new visitor center. In all those years, they excluded input from the residents, local municipalities, Franklin County or the local state legislators affected by closing SMGC. For some reason, DCNR is determined to destroy a beloved, well-used, 1.5-million-dollar asset that cost the state nothing and produces ongoing revenue.

Secretary Dunn missed the point when she offered to invest state money in another local private golf course to placate those handicapped as well as other SMGC users. South Mountain Golf Course is special to area residents.

It is the top-rated public golf course in the area (scored 4 out 5 by Golfpass), even though it is out in the middle of nowhere. It is very affordable ($10 to walk 9 holes) and perfect for families, seniors, youth, handicapped and tourists.  DCNR has worked to make it inaccessible and hard to find, yet SMGC was visited by over 24,000 golfers last year.

Most visitors to Michaux travel to Caledonia State Park, Long Pine Run Reservoir and Pine Grove State Park with Fuller Lake and Laurel Lake. These natural attractions draw visitors to swim, to fish and to hike. There are no similar natural attractions on South Mountain; the only attraction is SMGC, remote and inaccessible many months of the year.

No one challenges having a new visitor center, but everyone familiar with the area agrees that it doesn’t belong on South Mountain. And if DCNR is determined to increase traffic to South Michaux, why dismiss the existing 24,000 SMGC visitors?

There are many alternatives on South Mountain, Caledonia, Pine Grove Furnace and Michaux that allow for the new visitor center and the continuing lease of SMGC. Please don’t ignore the wishes of a large portion of the residents of Franklin County and the surrounding area.

If they wanted to, DCNR could easily find a way to have both the new visitor center and the valuable and much-loved SMGC! It makes no sense to destroy a 1.5-million-dollar asset.

Please help us!

Bernie Goldberg

Fayetteville, Pa.

Open border policies are unacceptable

To the editor:

I find the open border policies in the last three years and the president's recent actions unacceptable. This isn't a political blame game, but right is right.

I believe in legal immigration but not a free for all at our borders. Come one, come all regardless of your country of origin, criminal record, terrorist affiliation, etc.

I am sure many of your readers know of someone who has been through the immigration system. Immigration policies definitely need work.

Petty politics should not be involved in revamping the rules, regulations/policy, etc. Folks in D.C. need to work together instead of working against each other on this matter.

We take better care of illegals then we do our own. I've read where the illegals are making demands. You came to our country illegally and expect everything for free, I think not.

Our tax dollars will be used to support them or states will take monies from education and police budgets. Our veterans, homeless, seniors, people with addictions, trafficking victims, etc. should come first.

Thank goodness for Tunnel To Towers helping our heroes and their families, plus the many organizations who help those who are genuinely in need.

God bless America!

I pray our country will be healed with all the issues facing us!

Dave DuLaney

Hedgesville, W.Va.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Letters to the editor: Thanks to all who helped to make LuHowl a big success