Letters to the Editor, March 18, 2010

Published: March 18, 2010

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Who are the opportunists?

EDITOR: I have been watching and listening to all the controversy over the gas companies and so-called "gas guys." I haven't voiced my opinion until I was stuck in the muck. I have rented property in Ulster for four years. Like a lot of property, it has gone back to the bank. I asked to have first options on buying, the bank graciously agreed. Mind you, this is a trailer on half an acre and across the driveway another one acre that is unusable. I was shocked when the offer from the Williamsport bank called me and told me $52K. "Really?!" I came back with a $12K counter knowing that going in that first offers are always high and leave room for counters. Much to my surprise, there was no room, maybe a couple thousand under the $52K. The bank guy and I obviously had difference of opinion; I tried to explain that it was not worth the $52K. He stated a couple/few years ago, yes, he'd accept my offer, but not today. His explanation to me was (not word for word verbatim) Bradford County has marketable land, there is profit to be made in Bradford County and he is going to get in on the profit. The appraisal he got is confidential, and he won't accept my appraiser's appraisal because they may not be on the bank's approved appraiser list, which, the list too is confidential. (?) Well, he is sticking with the $52K and putting a for sale sign up. This brings me to another point, there are places to rent, however, many landlords, not all and thank you to the landlords that do not participate, have jumped on this opportunity. If there's money to be made we will make it. Yes the gas companies can afford to pay this to house their guys, however, it is unfair to them and more so to us that have lived here forever. I have seen tenants get evicted for not much due to the fact that landlords want to rent to gas workers so they can charge them $1,000/person. Real estate is out of this world right now. Stick with the "Make the money/profit" if it's there, but keep in mind, the money may be gone as fast as it came. How long do you think the gas companies are going to reside in Bradford County knowing full well they are being violated? There is a lot of blame being put on the gas workers, most aren't here to run a muck with locals or authorities (some do, yes) and some of that is on us as well. They aren't here to steal land or jobs, they have their own. If you want to work 20 - 24 hours a day in rain, snow, sleet, or even 90 degree weather with fire retardant coveralls on, mostly for under wages you and I make, not knowing what dangers the day may bring to you and your crew, apply for a job with them. Here is the question to ponder, is it the gas company and employees that is the issue here, or is it the opportunistic behavior that is making Bradford County expensive to live in?

Kelly Parton

Ulster

Sad commentary

EDITOR: I find it extraordinarily unfortunate that your paper would choose to use the cartoon depicting a gay man as being a "family values professing, anti-gay voting, Conservative Republican, as you did in the Saturday, March 13th, edition of your paper. I'm sure it was in response to a recent article in the USA Today about a gay man professing to be a Conservative Christian. I'm not sure of your intent with that cartoon, whether it was to poke fun at the article in the USA Today or make fun of Christians. This letter is not an attempt to defend Christianity, God is fully capable of defending Himself, he doesn't need my help. My intent is to point out the ridiculous assertion made in the USA Today article and in the cartoon in your paper. "Can a Christian be Gay?" What does the Bible say about it? That's the determining factor.

I can call myself anything I want, but that doesn't make my claim a fact. It is simply a claim. To back up one's claim of being a Christian, does their claim stand up to the definition of what being a Christian is in the Bible? It's not what we claim to be that matters. But knowing the media's pension for sensationalism, it shouldn't come as any surprise that someone claiming to be a "Conservative Christian" and claim to be gay would draw their attention. It's simply a sad commentary by the media that they revel in such things in the first place !

Daryl Miller

Wyalusing

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9 posted comments

Megan, With increased human traffic and demand, the price of everything goes up. Plus we just had a take-over of our grocery stores due to a bankruptcy. If you're a frequent local shopper, you know prices have gone up and quality and variety have gone down. I read the rental ads in today's paper. They're at least three times, and sometimes five times what they would have been two years ago. That's just greed and the profit motive at work. When this area's gas is depleted, she'll face worse conditions wherever she moves next.
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it's not pretty,  03/20/10 5:45
ladyes ? lover, Maybe Adam and Eve begat Steve. He had to come from somewhere.
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Scott,  03/20/10 5:38
I was talking to a wife a well driller the other day at work, she ask me what the hell was wrong with this area? Prices are out of site, rent is not affordable and she's never seen such a high price on bacon in her entire life. On top of all of that she said she's never seen such price gouging in all of the time her and her husband have been moving around for his job. I think it's VERY easy to forget most of these men have families and can't spend 1,000 a month on rent as I see some listing for in the paper.
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Megan,  03/20/10 7:40
god created adam and eve not adam and steve
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bc guy who loves all ladyes,  03/20/10 1:22
Bible contradictions: Daryl Miller is not known for putting a lot of thought or logic into his postings and letters. He's also usually obtuse, and it's often difficult to figure out what he's saying or what he means by what he thinks he's saying. This letter is no exception. I would assume he's saying he's anti-gay, and that he thinks gays can't be Christians. As absurd as that may seem in 2010, there are still people out there whose brains are still mired in the nineteen fifties. Take heart; most of them are old, and we will outlive them and their narrow view of life and the world we live in. Time wounds all heels.
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be patient, time is on our side,  03/18/10 9:27
Daryl Miller,
I find it odd how the bible is so full of contradictions and how so many so called Christians like to jump on the ones that have anything in them about a man lying with a man when it suits them. I seem to have read verses about Judging not lest you be judged and a lot of other things where it seems to the bible did preach toward tolerance a lot more than speaking on gays. Also I don't see anyone bringing up the verse about not touching the skin of a pig. Apparently that verse isn't near as important, but yet people just jump down on gay people like they are the scourge of the earth. Well I am not gay, but I bet God has a place for them and it is probably a much better place than the self righteous, know it all, who have no tolerance. Aren't the meek supposed to inherit the earth anyway?
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Bible contradictions,  03/18/10 10:19
Kelly, you are absolutely right in your assessment. It's the opportunistic behavior in this county that is becoming deplorable.
My husband and I own property in Smithfield Township and like to watch the real estate market with the hope of finding the right properties to buy for our children as wedding gifts - should they decide to remain in this area.
It's pathetic to see the price of real estate climb to an unaffordable rate for those who have lived and worked here their entire lives. Let's face it, the cost of living and average income in this county do not warrant the astronomical rate of its real estate - gas leases or not.
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Realist,  03/18/10 9:55
Daryl Miller, Last night I saw the HBO documentary film, "Outrage" which tells the story of gay politicians who do not admit to being gay, and who consistently vote against, gay rights, Aids funding, and any legigslation favorable to the gay community. They live one life in public and another in private, basically denying who they are. It was a powerful film, and I recommend it highly. I did not see the USA today article and can't find it on line. But I think it's fairly clear, at least to me, that Christians can certainly be gay, as can accountants and lawyers. The incidence of homosexuality is fairly consistent across all cultures, religions, and people around the world. If you believe that God created man, then it should follow that he created people of all gender identities and preferences. Or do you believe he created gays and now denies them membership in his flock? I think God's house is big enough for all his people and I can't find in the bible where he gives a definition of who can follow him and who cannot.
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make room,  03/18/10 8:27
Kelly, People will charge what the market will support.

Daryl, What is the focal point of your letter?

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Robert,  03/18/10 5:23