Letters: These northeast PA, Pocono voters have something to say

Editor's note: What an election cycle it has been. We opened the door to Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent readers to submit their opinions on this year's election, as well as to endorse the candidates they support. Instead of limiting submissions to 150 words like we have in elections past, this year we felt it was important to extend that limit to 300 words. What resulted was a flood of passionate letters from area voters.

While some may not make it into print due to space constraints, all approved letters will appear online, either in a round up like this one, or individually. I encourage you to check out PoconoRecord.com or TriCountyIndependent.com to read what your neighbors and fellow voters had to say.

I want to thank you all for your submissions this season, and for encouraging thoughtful discussion amongst our staff about this upcoming election.

Election Day is Tuesday— please, get out and vote!

— Managing editor Ashley C. Fontones

On the Fetterman/Oz debate

The commentary I’ve been reading about this critical debate, from both parties, are leaving out some critical information.

Firstly, while Fetterman’s change of mind about how he views fracking is a seeming concern, the fact that Oz wrote the article against fracking (which was brought up by the moderators) and now supports it fully in the name of supporting Pennsylvania’s economy, should also be repeatedly acknowledged, as well as the fact that he, at one point, embraced Bernie Sanders, both literally and figuratively.

Of greater concern is the fact that many people, since the debate, have become skeptical about John Fetterman’s ability to serve in the senate.

As someone who has studied brain-based disorders, I must say that the very common accommodation of allowing Fetterman extended time to respond would have been appropriate in the debate setting. Furthermore, recovery after a stroke is complex and not on a fixed timeline; Fetterman is obviously on the path to a complete recovery, but the debate stage, on which he was not fully prepared to stand without reasonable accommodations, did not allow for him to display this to the public. Dr. Oz’s deliberate efforts to exploit Fetterman’s traumatic experience, is beyond cruel, and anyone who looked closely enough should have seen this lack of compassion in his eyes and known it immediately for what it was: the act of an indecent carpetbagger behaving with callous aggression toward someone, who, unlike himself is a good human being with authentic concern for the population of his state and country.

Kerry McCarthy, Saylorsburg

Mothers never give up

In July of 2010, I tragically lost my son to distracted driving. My son, Paul, was 21-years old and a graduate of Scranton High School and Lackawanna College. Paul was traveling northbound, when a tractor-trailer crossed the center grass divider and traveled head-on into my son. The truck driver was distracted at the time of the crash.

Paul’s senseless death was preventable. I have since become a dedicated advocate to end distracted driving. This work includes strengthening Pennsylvania state laws. As a Lackawanna County resident, I turned to my legislators for help - but my pleas were brushed off and ignored - until I met a State Representative from Monroe County. This legislator is Rosemary Brown - who is now running for Pennsylvania’s 40th Senate District, which includes portions of Lackawanna County.

Rosemary Brown has worked tirelessly, fought partisan politics from both sides of the aisle, and has become a steadfast advocate for strengthening our state laws in honor of my son Paul. She has become a leader with me on this in Harrisburg.

Unfortunately, I still cannot cast a vote for her. However, I am encouraging everyone who can - vote for Rosemary Brown with confidence. She is a dedicated public servant, working mom, who does what is right. I look forward to her continued dedicated service to northeast Pennsylvania as a State Senator.

Eileen Miller, Scranton

Rosemary Brown lied about her record on abortion

Representative Rosemary Brown lied at the televised debate with Jennifer Shukaitis, saying "I have always supported exceptions for rape, incest and the life of a mother." In 2017 she voted for bill HB1948 that forbade abortion after 20 weeks and did not include exceptions for rape and incest. The bill meddled in the doctor's medical judgment, required an in-person consultation with a physician to determine if the abortion is necessary, and imposed criminal penalties on doctors for violations. She voted for other restrictions: compulsory birth if the fetus has Down Syndrome, banned telemedicine prescriptions for medical abortions during covid, mandatory life imprisonment for doctors "guilty" of "murder of an unborn child" (HB1095).

Thanks to Governor Wolf's vetoes, none of these massive government intrusions into the private lives of Pennsylvanians have become law. But Republicans found a work-around: constitutional amendments cannot be vetoed. In July immediately before summer recess, Republican Brown voted for SB106 which includes an amendment stating that the PA Constitution does not grant any right relating to abortion. "Let the people decide" is their battle cry. But only amendments that Republicans favor get on the ballot and those which voters want do not. Their true motive is revealed when the amendments appear on low-turnout (10%) primary election ballots, e.g., May 2023.

Brown stated that "Nothing has changed in the Pennsylvania state law regarding abortion...I have never voted to eliminate abortion in Pennsylvania." True enough but irrelevant—before Roe v. Wade was overturned, it would have been pointless. That protection is gone now, and based on her record, she will most certainly vote to impose her religious beliefs on everyone in the state. Enough already of Republicans playing doctor and interfering in private health care decisions. Vote for Democrat Jennifer Shukaitis for PA Senate.

Anne Tiracchia, Stroudsburg

Democrats have turned Smithfield into a hostile place to live

If you want to know why I will not vote for Shukaitis I am a Smithfield Twp. resident. We unfortunately have Democratic Jacob Pride and Robert Lovenheim who have turned the Township into a hostile environment and mismanaged the Township money. There are to many mistakes to post here. They raised our taxes last year first time in 16 years and are headed to do it again this year. How callus can they be when taxpayers are wondering how they will buy groceries and heating oil to keep warm. They have no business being elected officials. Shukaitis a Democrat will do the same. Democrats just spend and do not save for a rainy day. She like Pride have no experience and only know to spend,spend.spend. Taxpayers lives and well being are at stake here we can not afford them.

It must stop please for yourself and neighbors vote for Rosemary Brown. Look into what is going on in Smithfield and you will see.

Pam Barrett, East Stroudsburg

What has changed since Brown was first elected in 2010? Not much.

Rosemary Brown is a Republican member of the PA House of Representatives. In the 15+ mailers she's sent out, she hides the fact that she's a Republican. Not surprising. Brown was first elected in 2010; the Republicans have controlled the House every year since 2011. They've controlled the Senate in 30 of the 31 years between 1992 and 2022, and that's where Brown wants to be.

Have your school taxes gone down since Republicans have had the majority in Harrisburg? Has the $7.25 an hour minimum wage increased since she was elected? How about imposing a severance tax on the frackers and using that money to reduce school taxes? Or stop causing school boards to raise taxes to pay for benefits that the Harrisburg politicians give to charter schools? Any movement for gun reform?

The majority party decides which bills get a hearing, which bills get out of committee, which bills get a vote. So obviously, the Republicans have consciously decided not to pass laws which would benefit the voters they claim to represent.

Brown is running for PA Senate against Democrat Jennifer Shukaitis. Brown has an 86% rating from the American Conservative Union, almost as extreme as Doug Mastriano's rating of 88%.

Our beautiful mountains and streams attract homeowners and tourists. Which candidate would preserve our environment? Brown has a lifetime rating of 18% by the Conservation Voters of PA, by Penn Environment, and by the Sierra Club. Shukaitis is endorsed by Conservation Voters of PA and the Sierra Club.

Brown has a 0% rating from the PA Chapter of Planned Parenthood Advocates. Shukaitis is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Emily's List, and #VoteProChoice. Vote to elect Jennifer Shukaitis to the PA Senate and end the far-right extremism of Representative Brown.Cheryl Phillips, Cresco

If Bognet can't uplift his immigrant roots, how can he represent District 8?

I don’t believe TV ads anymore. They usually project a circus of exaggeration and lies. However, words spoken by a candidate are dispositive. Jim Bognet disqualified himself as representative of the Pocono people at his recent debate with Congressman Matt Cartwright. Bognet confessed that his family did not protest the Anglicization of the surname of his immigrant Italian grandfather. Bognet boasted that his grandfather “so loved the United States” that he banned the Italian language for his family. What is there to be ashamed of in the beautiful Italian language and culture? If Bognet has so much self-hate for his immigrant roots, how can he represent the growing number of Latinos in the district who are proud of their heritage? Vote Cartwright: Matt cares.

Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, Ph. D., Monroe County

A vote for Shukaitis is a vote for real change in PA

Rosemary Brown isn’t by any stretch the best candidate for State Senate. In her TV ad she claims she “is the only candidate for State Senator”. That is a lie. She claims to be bipartisan when in fact she has the same Conservative Union CPAC rating as the awful white nationalist bigot Doug Mastriano (86%). She refuses to debate as she has so much to answer for. 12 years of no property tax reform. 12 years of unfair funding of our public schools which has lead tous paying the highest property tax rates in the state. And she just voted to remove protection of abortion rights from our State Constitution. Brown has a 0% rating from the Conservation Voters of PA. That’s zero percent. She doesn’t deserve your vote as she won’t vote for our interests. 30 years of Republican control of the PA legislature has done nothing for us here in the Poconos except raise our taxes. I don’t know about you but I’m tired of the lies for the decades I’ve lived here.

The real choice for State Senate is Jennifer Shukaitis. She is honest, very smart, has always worked hard and will continue that in Harrisburg. She is a Stroud Township Supervisor who responds to her constituents needs. Shewill protect everyone’s rights, including your right to vote and a woman’s right to choose. Jennifer has been endorsed by the Conservation Voters of PA for her history (some would say heritage) of working to protect ourenvironment, like her grandmother, Nancy Shukaitis, who lead the fight to stop the Tocks Island damn. Get Democrats control of the state legislature and we can finally get great things done.

Vote for real change in Pennsylvania, Vote for Jennifer Shukaitis for State Senate this November.

Mark Dodel, Hamilton Township

Susan Wild treats voters like family

Carbon County and Monroe County changed congressional districts after redistricting earlier this year. Now, Carbon, and part of Monroe, are in Pennsylvania’s 7th district, which is currently represented by Congresswoman Susan Wild. Susan Wild has represented Monroe County well, and will represent Carbon County well, too.

Susan’s values are like our values. She believes in supporting our strong local businesses and bringing jobs to our community. She has been a strong voice of support for infrastructure and job creation. She has worked to lower our costs and make sure that our Social Security and Medicare are protected. Susan Wild has been coming up to our area to meet voters and hear what our needs and values are. In the time my family and I have spent with Susan, she treated us not like voters, but like family.

Susan Wild is a bipartisan leader who can reach across the aisle. A bipartisan approach is what we need to get results that positively affect us in Carbon and Monroe. Susan Wild is an authentic, good person who works tirelessly for the citizens in her district. She has a track record of supporting small businesses and investing in job creation. She listens, she works hard, and she gets results. She will represent us in Carbon and Monroe well.

Marianne Slaby, Palmerton

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Letters: These northeast PA, Pocono voters have something to say