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Whitaker Should Look At Preventative Action At JPS

“The potential trajectory of the district is what excites me,” said Jamestown’s new superintendent of schools. “We have incredibly talented kids, we have incredibly talented staff, we have a supportive community, we have foundations, the community college and the opportunities those things all allow and bring. It means that the sky is the limit.” Of course, these are words the community is eager to hear. Not so fast, though. We have been here before. Each newly-hired superintendent made similar, seemingly obligatory, statements, most without fulfillment. Although Geneva is ...

Vaccinations Aid Herd Immunity

There was an alarming report recently out of California from San Quentin Prison. Out of a population of 3,260, there have been 2,200 infections and 25 deaths — the latest being a guard at the prison. About two-thirds of the prison population has been infected but the prison still hasn’t reached “herd immunity.” The mortality rate at the prison translates to 767 deaths per 100,000. Were that rate to be applied to the entire country, we would be looking at 2.5 million deaths from COVID-19 in the United States vs. current deaths of 163,000. According to an epidemiologist ...

Trump Is The Real Threat To Our Democracy

On Aug. 13th, President Trump admitted that he is intentionally and knowingly opposing the funding that the USPS needs to ensure that mail-in votes will be received, on time, to be counted in the November elections. He claims baselessly that mail-in voting is a threat to our democracy, because it will result in massive, nationwide voter-fraud not reflective of the people’s voice. Under Trump’s postmaster general‘s watch mail collection boxes and high-speed mail-sorting machines have been selectively removed from postal facilities across the U.S. These actions create obstacles to ...

Every Groom Should Be This Lucky

LOS ANGELES — Marital vows often include commitments “for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.” Long-married couples can assure newlyweds that many surprises come along. They’re fun when they involve the better, richer, or health part, yet other surprises can strengthen a marriage too. It’s common, for example, for couples to be apart for an extended time. Modern, instantaneous communication makes that less difficult than it once was. It’s also common for couples to face serious illnesses. In these respects, the experience of a couple ...

The Day The Dinosaur Ate Me

How old was I when the dinosaur ate me? I must have been about nine years old. I dimly recall holding Dad’s hand as he walked me up the steps of the massive original entrance to Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum of Natural History. I remember looking up, up and further up at the huge bronze door, one of a triad. “Imposing” is an understatement. The facade could have been the home of “Conan the Barbarian” for all its dark gray mythic splendor. To a kid of nine, it was just b-i-g. We had not come to Pittsburgh to see the museum. Back in probably 1952, Dad and his two ...

A Shared Team Approach Is 1st Option

We met Mason, a retired nurse practitioner for his first counseling therapy session. His friend, Christian, called to initiate help for his friend. Mason arrived alone. He looked to be physically drained. As Mason began to unfold a vision of helplessness and hopelessness, he conveyed a clear statement of having no suicidal thoughts. He referenced family of origin, siblings, his own children and grandchildren and friends/acquaintances who might be aware of his plight. A common theme representing all groups was him not wanting to burden them. Socially, he reportedly liked sports, which he ...