I want to strongly protest your assertion that my vote for Hillary Clinton was not well thought out ("O Bummer: Clinton's Pennsylvania Win Promises Only Trouble," April 24 editorial).

I resent the implication that it was my duty as a Democrat to vote for any candidate simply because it was the expeditious thing to do. I have several concerns about the ability of Barack Obama to lead this nation: his experience, his qualifications and his moral character. It's insulting for the PG to say that Democrats should have voted for him simply to clear the way for his nomination based solely on the premise that it would save the party from further giving the Republican Party issues to exploit. I carefully weighed the pros and cons of both candidates before exercising my right to vote for the person I think is suited to serve the best interest of the country.

If Mr. Obama is such a clear-cut choice, then please explain to me and all the other voters why, when he will not ascertain the required number of delegates for the nomination without Hillary Clinton quitting, we should sit quietly by and just hand it to him. Your editorial trivializes the entire election process and does a disservice to your readers.

DAN THOMPSON
Wilkins

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Regarding "O Bummer" (April 24 editorial): This is one of the most offensive pieces that I have read to date. You are basically insinuating that Sen. Hillary Clinton supporters, like myself, are too stupid to make up their own minds about who they choose to support in this race and why -- like we are just blindly following the senator along believing whatever information it is that she feeds us.

I believe you are mistaking Sen. Clinton supporters for those who support Sen. Barack Obama. The "great hope of a Democratic Party revival," as you call them, are the gullible ones, blindly following Sen. Obama and his empty call for change. I guarantee if you polled supporters of both candidates you would find Sen. Clinton's supporters significantly more well-versed on the issues compared to those who support Sen. Obama. That is the difference that you fail to mention.

Supporters of Sen. Clinton believe in our country and think it is worth fighting for, and in order to make ourselves more successful, we make the effort to educate ourselves. Supporters of Sen. Obama, on the other hand, just follow blindly and when they get thrown tough questions, they just throw up their hands and go home.

MARISSA E. D'ALTORIO
Export

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The April 24 editorial "O Bummer" implied that Pennsylvania voters didn't think their votes through and older voters went with the familiar.

As an older voter, I thought long and hard about my choice and found Barack Obama wanting. He is an inspirational speaker, but his track record isn't as impressive as Hillary Clinton's is. Being a motivational speaker is not enough to be a good president.

I considered that Mr. Obama is the most liberal senator, and he has associated repeatedly with extremists who have said and done offensive things present and past. He is dismissive and evasive when asked to explain his own offensive statements. I am still waiting to hear exactly who he meant we have antipathy toward because we are not like them.

Mrs. Clinton's positives outweigh her negatives. Her solutions offered on her Web site will make life better for all Americans. I was impressed by her commitment and her excellent plan for health care for everyone and by her determination to improve the economy and stop the Iraq war. After much thought, I chose to vote for Hillary Clinton because of her experience as a centrist in the Senate and her familiarity with the workings of government, because of her dedication to improving education and protecting the planet, because of her extensive knowledge and solutions she will apply to American and world problems and finally because of her dedication and hard work to get the job done. Her actions speak louder than her words, and I am confident she will make the best president to deal with the many problems the present administration is leaving behind.

PAT DAUBE
Mt. Lebanon

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I was driving home the other day via Garfield's Mossfield Street, which runs along Allegheny Cemetery. I was shocked at the amount of trash there was along the roadway thrown from passing autos.

I called 311, the mayor's complaint hot line, and within two days the mess was cleaned up. I have to thank the mayor and the city for their immediate response.

The city of Pittsburgh needs to establish volunteer programs if the city workers cannot get these jobs done more often.

Earth Day, which we recently marked, is a reminder of the beauty of Mother Earth. Animals do not dirty where they sleep. Are humans such lowlifes that they are unable to rise above this mentality?

The Highland Park reservoir and the renovated water fountain are true examples of what can be done. Thanks to the city of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the volunteers.

JERRY POMPA
Morningside

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Rich Lord's April 22 story "One Man's Deck Is Another Man's Nightmare" mentioned the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Streetface program in a relatively negative light. Speaking from the community perspective, the Streetface program has had a very positive impact on the city's neighborhood business districts. Since 1984, the URA has invested $13 million in more than 1,200 facade renovations throughout the city of Pittsburgh, leveraging more than $50 million in private investment and playing an important role in the revitalization of several Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

The Streetface program is an important tool in restoring and preserving the architectural integrity of Pittsburgh's historic buildings. Streetface funding is often a "but for" element in a property owner's decision to invest in facade improvements, incentivizing an investment that may not immediately pay off in terms of higher rents or better cash flow but that substantially improves the aesthetics and competitiveness of a neighborhood business district.

In Lawrenceville, the Streetface program has been a cornerstone of our community revitalization work since 1984, when the Lawrenceville Corp. restored the Pennsylvania Bank Building to its former grandeur with Streetface support. That initial investment spurred the architecturally sensitive restoration of many commercial buildings and ultimately created a critical mass of attractive properties that improve the streetscape, increase property values, attract new businesses and draw shoppers to the neighborhood.

Just take a walk down Butler Street to see for yourself the important and positive impact that the Streetface program has made in our community.

KATE TRIMBLE
Executive Director
Lawrenceville Corp.
Lawrenceville

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I was interested in how George F. Will figured that conservatives were more charitable than liberals ("Compassionate Conservatives," April 7). When I send money to the Salvation Army, I don't sign my check and then indicate "liberal" after my signature. When I give money to the causes that my church espouses, I do not indicate my political preference.

I heard a talk show host snarkily remark that she asked a cab driver who tips better, Republicans or Democrats, and he said Republicans. I wondered how the cab driver ascertained this. Is there a large D or R stamped on his passengers' foreheads?

Of course, I guess that makes me a secular liberal. Another talk show host refers darkly to the "secular media." What is the alternative to that, the religious media? Give me secular every time.

MARTHA HART SWEENEY
Upper St. Clair

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I read the April 16 letter "Crown the Arena" with great interest. I wholeheartedly agree. I love the Pittsburgh skyline and the dome of the Igloo stands out, plus it's the entrance to the Hill.

Must the "look" disappear? Can't it be incorporated in the new look? Why can't we be different and daring? In my mind, I can picture a very futuristic look for our arena.

FRAN BARTOLOWITS
Troy Hill

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Regarding the editorial "First Cut: Without Tax Shifting, Pennsylvanians Will Get Relief" (April 28): Tell Gov. Ed Rendell and the rest of the do-nothing state Legislature to keep the lousy $169 school property tax "rebate."

Since buying my house in Bethel Park in 2004 (my third house in Agony County since 1980), I have paid thousands of dollars more than the majority of other Bethel Park residents who purchased their homes pre-2002.

At my most recent hearing with the board of viewers over the Bethel Park School District's third appeal of my property, the final order of the special master (who stated to my face "fairness has nothing to do with this hearing") resulted in my school property taxes being raised about $400. That is for 2006, 2007 and 2008. That means that this year I get to write the Bethel Park School District a check for about $4,400.

Excuse me if I don't get all worked up about Eddie's "rebate."

DON ADLER
Bethel Park

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