Letters: Brandt an advocate for SCASD children; Myers will advance progressive goals
Editor’s note: The CDT welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the May 16 primary election and will accept letters that are received by May 11. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.
Brandt an advocate for SCASD children
I write in support of Gretchen Brandt for a third term on the State College Area School District’s board. Currently, Brandt serves as vice president of the board, and her dedication to the children and families in our community is evident. Having two children in different levels of school in our district, Brandt understands the issues that are vital for our children’s education, development and physical and mental health, and how policies shape our children’s well-being.
Brandt engages diverse community members in open conversation about complex issues of equity in our schools. In fact, she co-authored the district’s Inclusive Excellence Policy. Brandt understands how local and statewide issues connect to our democracy. She was the lead plaintiff from Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District in a case that changed how the commonwealth’s voting districts are drawn. Brandt received an award from Common Cause for her role in creating more inclusive representation.
An advocate for environmental sustainability, Brandt serves on committees and attends conferences to introduce innovations to SCASD. She contributed to the design and construction of district building projects that achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold or Platinum certification.
Brandt tirelessly advocates for our children, informed by comprehensive knowledge, real-life experience and broad consultation with members of our community. I am thankful she does this challenging work and for her leadership and commitment to the children of State College. Thus, I will enthusiastically vote for Brandt for the SCASD board of directors.
Karyn McKinney Marvasti, State College
Myers will advance progressive goals
I have known Evan Myers for many years and served with him on State College Borough Council for two years.
I am delighted that he is running again for Council this year.
State College is an inclusive and progressive town, and Council should work to advance inclusive and progressive goals.
Evan’s work on Council and on the Planning Commission shows that he has the drive and the ability to do just that.
State College is a great place to live but, like every town, it is not perfect.
There is a housing problem: we need more affordable and inclusionary housing.
There is a lack of affordable retail and commercial space for startup businesses.
There is a need for better carbon-friendly public transit. CATA does a good job. Still, improvement is needed: more routes, more frequent service, electric vehicles. A light rail system might be feasible.
Evan recognizes these problems and has spoken and written about them.
Five Council seats will be filled in this year’s election. I hope you will join me in giving one of your votes to Evan Myers in the Democratic primary on May 16 and in the regular election in November.
Peter Morris, State College
Criticism of incumbent trustees unfair
As a Penn State alumna, I find it extremely disconcerting that one alumni-elected trustee has chosen to aggressively campaign against his fellow trustees in this year’s board election. This is not a good look and unbecoming of a sitting trustee. He has been publicly accusing trustees Lubrano, Paterno and Pope of disparaging the football program simply because they voted against an ill-timed $48 million upgrade on the Lasch Building in 2021. When that vote was taken, the country was shut down and the economy was at a near standstill because of a pandemic. The timing of a vote involving so much money in such uncertain times was insensitive to the students and employees who were struggling. A “no” vote should not be construed as nonsupport. Anyone who knows these three trustees knows that they have always supported the football program.
Anthony Lubrano, Alice Pope, and Jay Paterno have been excellent trustees and stewards of the university in so many areas, always upholding its traditional values. While it is incumbent upon trustees to support the athletic programs, the scope of their responsibilities is much more far-reaching and varied. The attempt to promote or discredit trustees on the basis of that particular vote is extremely short-sighted and unjustified.
Under the leadership of President Neeli Benedapudi, this board is successfully working as an effective, cohesive unit. Now is not the time to disrupt this progress. Vote to keep Lubrano, Paterno and Pope on the board! Their work is not finished!
Ceil Masella, Apex, North Carolina
