Historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church needs assistance
Greetings in the name of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ!

State leaves corrections officers to fend for themselves
I am writing in response to your Nov. 7 article by Jeffery Alderton, “Prison officers won’t get jobs back — Actions toward 22 fired employees said ‘legitimate, consistent and fair.’”

Present administration doesn’t care about national security
Is there anyone in their right mind naive enough to think that anyone in the present administration gives a tinker’s damn about national security?

Refund for train trip would have been goodwill gesture
The following letter to Frank Fowler, general superintendent for the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, has been released for publication.

Family ‘very impressed’ with Queen City
Just a quick note to each of you and the residents of Cumberland, Md. We visited your city this past weekend and were so very impressed with your hospitality!

Those on public dole now ‘quality’ for free cell phones
I read in the Nov. 10 edition of the Cumberland Times-News about a program called Safelink Wireless, which is backed by the FCC.

Soldier is terrorist, regardless of ‘ACLU Speak’
It seems that, over the years, the radical left has created a mentality in our country that speaks to what they call “political correctness.” You know, stewardesses are now “flight attendants;” waitresses are now “servers;” an act of terror is now a “man-made disaster.” The media and some Americans have bought into all of this, what I call, “ACLU Speak.” It may have seemed harmless at the time, but it has miraculously permeated our society. Why?

Downtown employees also some of the best customers
I pay $90 a month to park in the George Street parking garage. I used to have a parking space on the lower level but they moved me so that downtown patrons would have parking. No one hardly ever parks there. You can check it out for yourself if you like.

It’s time for public to just say no to ‘fire-safe cigarettes’
I live in Romney, W.Va., and I have smoked for over 25 years now. I have noticed that my cigarettes have tasted funny, and they make me sick.

Citizen asks congressman to support health care reform
Please stop your opposition to comprehensive health care reform.

Health care reform plans have been on the table for a century
Many opponents who are grasping for reasons to thwart health care reform are now asking, “Why are we rushing such massive reform through Congress?” Rushing through health care reform? Are they serious?

Remember the unemployment lines when you go shopping
Here comes Santa Claus? Here comes Corporate America!

Confederate Flag brochure tries to rise again
Secular Digest Quote of the Day: “For black folks, the Confederate flag represents the same thing that the Nazi flag represents to the Jews. It represents oppression and murder.” Ken Page

Bartlett knows throwing money at a problem doesn’t work
There have been few in Washington, as of late, with the foresight of Congressman Bartlett. He has stood in stark contrast to his colleagues on both sides of the aisle, who have been determined to spend like there’s no tomorrow.

Former governor should think before running for office again
Running for governor is an intensely personal decision for you and your family, and no one — Republicans or Democrats — should fault you for taking the time to consider your prospects in 2010.

Cardin commends NewPage for pursuing ITC investigation
I want to commend NewPage Corporation of Luke for its determination to pursue an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) of unfair trading practices that threaten the future of American paper manufacturing.

Hospice is about living and compassion
November is National Hospice Month, an appropriate time to filter through the facts and myths surrounding end-of-life care discussions recently in the media.

Why not use one of our old hospitals as a geriatric prison?
As our region embarks on the opening of a new hospital, much discussion has been made of what will become of the two older hospitals. As I understand, no suitable plans have been made on the future use of these buildings.

Time to remind representatives there’s really no free lunch
I read the Times-News article informing people about “free” cell phones (“W.Md. households may qualify for free cell phones,” Nov. 10, Page 1B).

Clean, renewable energy offers the path to follow
In Rick Webb’s letter entitled “Environmentalists ignoring long-term issues” on Nov 3, he addresses the need for alternative energy solutions in Virginia.

Their real goal is to take America down
On the evening of this Veterans Day, I pause and give thanks to all those veterans that have helped keep America the Home of the Brave and the Land of the Free.

We’re closer to health care reform, no thanks to Bartlett
This past weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives made history and passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Cumberland area is fortunate to have New Embassy Theatre
This past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the New Embassy Theatre’s production of Larry Shue’s “The Foreigner,” a funny and ultimately touching play about a personality-challenged, jilted husband who pretends not to speak English in order to avoid having to interact with the owner and guests at a small fishing lodge in rural Georgia.

America is blessed to have its veterans
I wanted to thank our U.S. military veterans on this special Veterans Day 2009. We are blessed as a nation to have such loyal men and women who defend our freedoms here so we can all live in America

Just what form would a proper currency system take?
I read with interest the essay by Greg Hildreth published November 8, 2009 (”Federal Reserve is the root of our banking problems”).

Health Department’s efficiency, organization much appreciated
Recently I took my daughter to the Allegany County Health Department for the H1N1 vaccine. I was very impressed with the organization of the staff from the moment I pulled into the parking lot.

Help us to celebrate America’s education professionals
Nov. 15-21 will mark the 88th annual observance of American Education Week. Our AEW theme “Great Public Schools — A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” highlights the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools.

John Murtha stood up for those he represents on health care
The House of Representatives voted to pass the H.R.3962 Health Care for America Act.