Letters: Vote for ‘solution seeker’; Return fiscal responsibility to Ferguson
Editor’s note: The CDT welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 7 election and will accept letters that are received by Oct. 30. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.
Vote for ‘solution seeker’
I am a Centre County Realtor and I am endorsing Robert Zeigler for Recorder of Deeds. He is an asset to our community. I know him to be a caring and hard working family man who is deeply invested in where he lives and those whom he calls neighbors. He is constantly out and about whether at work, school functions, around town, and on social media making sure to connect with everyone. He is a problem solver and a solution seeker who has my vote. Central PA is thriving and has grown immensely over the decades. As we move into the future, we need those who are responsible, adaptable, compassionate and ready to ensure that we will continue to thrive for all in the generations to come.
Melissa McDonough, Pleasant Gap
Return fiscal responsibility to Ferguson
Although residents are told that the Ferguson Township 2022-2028 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a planning document, not a financial document, historically, the CIP is the blueprint on which annual budgets are based. The township’s 2022-2028 CIP projects that years 2026 through 2028 will begin with a negative General Fund balance. In fact, in 2024 two funds, the Park Improvement Fund and the Stormwater Fund, are projected to begin the year with negative fund balances! Fiscal responsibility is not spending more than you earn.
We don’t budget our personal finances this way. Why are we allowing our elected officials this luxury on our dime? It’s time for common sense and fiscal responsibility to return to the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors. On Election Day, please vote for Ken Raney and David Wolfgang for Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors.
Jeanne Fudrow, State College
Arts investments pay off
On Oct. 18 Americans for the Arts released the report: Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 [AEP6] The Economic & Social Impact Study of Nonprofit Arts & Culture Organizations & Their Audiences.
The report tells us that every day, more than 100,000 nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the U.S. are making their communities better places to live and work by beautifying cities, fueling creativity, celebrating diversity and bringing joy to residents. Arts and culture organizations are also businesses.
Event-related spending by their audiences generates valuable revenue for local merchants — dining in a nearby restaurant, paying to park or for a rideshare, shopping at local retail stores and enjoying dessert after a show — a value-add to the community.
In 2022, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity —$73.3 billion in spending by the organizations, which leveraged an additional $78.4 billion in event-related spending by their audiences. The impact of this economic activity is far reaching, supporting 2.6 million jobs, generating $29.1 billion in tax revenue, and providing $101 billion in personal income to residents.
AEP6 delivers a clear and welcome message: when communities invest in arts and culture, they are not doing so at the expense of community and economic development. Rather, they are investing in an industry that stimulates the economy, supports local jobs, and contributes to building healthy, vibrant and livable communities.
For more information about Arts & Economic Prosperity 6, to download the report, please visit AEP6.AmericansForTheArts.org.
Douglas Meyer, State College. The author is the executive director of Nittany Performing Arts Centre.
