I'm an intern architect working my way toward licensure since 2005. I may have missed some images throughout the planning approval process of the new Penguins arena, but I must say that the renderings I have seen from HOK are incredibly disappointing ("Here It Is: The City Planning Commission Approves the Final Design for the New Arena," May 7).

I have a great amount of respect for the firm and its history with our city, most notably it outstanding work at PNC Park. But what makes Pittsburgh an underappreciated architectural jewel is the distinct buildings that construct the fabric of our city. Buildings such as the U.S. Steel Tower, PPG Place and the aforementioned PNC Park can be immediately identified as unique to Pittsburgh. Even Mellon Arena, which at this point is showing wear, is an identifiable landmark that simply cannot be found anywhere else. It is our Igloo and we are rightfully fond of it.

The renderings for the new Penguins arena look like a building that could be found anywhere in the country from Kansas City to Oklahoma City. The opportunity to create a new Pittsburgh landmark with the established language of Pittsburgh aesthetics (i.e., steel, glass, concrete) and with a precedent such as Mellon Arena has been squandered. What has taken its place is a homogenized shopping center with prepackaged "place-making" design choices.

I am sure the arena will be delivered efficiently and dependably, but I am sorry that the chance to enhance our great city with a unique architectural icon that reinforces Pittsburgh's steady rise as a national cosmopolitan center has been lost.

RICHARD McCLURE
Greensburg

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Regarding the May 1 article "When UPMC Wrist ID Tells Too Much": I am disheartened to read yet another misinformed article in your newspaper regarding UPMC and the relatively new ID bracelet system.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this article suggests that patients are at risk for identity theft. I am not a spokesperson for UPMC, but as a registered nurse currently working with UPMC Shadyside Hospital, I am forced to correct the "pseudo-beast" that you are trying to create. Every single day, 24 hours/seven days a week, the staff at UPMC strive to protect our patients' privacy and patient confidentiality and focus on safe and accurate health care. It began for each and every one of us the day we were hired, as we are required to sign waivers promising to do so.

The new ID system ensures that when I identify my patient's ID bracelet, I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the absolute correct person whom I need to give very specific medications to, whom I need to get ready for the operating room, whom I need to give blood or blood products to. The list goes on and on, but if UPMC is the first to create this extra step in patient safety, then I personally commend its constant efforts at ensuring patient safety.

KATHLEEN BIELICH, R.N.
Fayette City

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In "A Vote for Trouble" (May 1 editorial), the PG firmly takes the view of the clear minority in the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding photo ID for voters. The historic Supreme Court voted 6-3 in favor of a law requiring such identification as a means to prevent voter fraud.

Justice John Paul Stevens, in an opinion joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Anthony Kennedy, wrote that the ruling "is amply justified by the valid interest in protecting the integrity and reliability of the electoral process." Writing separately, but in agreement with the ruling, were Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.

Yes, the ruling may produce inconveniences for some, yet simply getting to the polls can be problematic for many citizens. Each election dozens of volunteer groups ensure that the disabled, elderly and poor voters get to the polls. Such grass-roots efforts will surely happen in Indiana to help those in need acquire voter identification. Soon this community process will spread to many other states as the ruling becomes widely adopted.

How ironic that the PG finds no issue with the mandatory showing of photo ID cards to charge merchandise, to pass security at the airport or to buy beer, but heaven forbid we show legitimate photo ID to perform the most important function levied upon us as citizens of the world's oldest surviving democracy!

I applaud the sage Supreme Court, which ruled wisely in a strong majority, not just for those of us in the here and now, but for generations yet to come, which will benefit from this momentous and long overdue decision.

JEFF THIERET
Harmony

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The tragic death of a Civil War buff killed by the explosion of a cannonball ("Civil War Buff Dies After Cannonball Explodes During Restoration," May 3) reminds me of the thousands of lives ended or forever changed by land mines each year.

Millions of land mines still lie around in war zones and former war zones. Many are designed not to cause instant death in every case but to inflict serious wounds, which, because other personnel are involved in the rescue and care of the victims, will most interfere with an enemy's fighting capacity. After conflicts end, the most frequent victims are women and children, and the wounds they suffer -- loss of limbs, blindness, etc. -- are horrendous and lifelong.

Land mines cause malnutrition, too, when providers can no longer work because of disability or because fields cannot be cultivated because land mines may be still there. These are truly diabolical weapons, which, like that Civil War cannonball, may remain a threat for hundreds of years.

It is imperative that intensified efforts be made to render harmless the millions of land mines that are already on the ground, that treatment and assistance be given to the victims who must rebuild their lives, that the nations endorse and keep to the agreements made 11 years ago in the Ottawa Treaty and that the ban should become truly universal.

HAZEL COPE
Mt. Lebanon

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One way we can all begin to address our dubious honor of ranking of No. 1 in particulate soot levels in the nation ("Lung Group Says Pittsburgh Is Tops for Sooty Air," May 1) is by reducing our energy consumption.

Simple measures like turning out lights when we leave the room, switching from incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient ones and buying Energy Star-rated appliances can put a big dent in power demand. An Energy Star-rated refrigerator can cut your electric bill by almost 10 percent if you are using a refrigerator built before 1990. Adjusting temperature settings a few degrees higher on air-conditioners during hot days is another way to save. At work, simple steps like turning off computers and lights in the office and restrooms when we leave for the day can have a significant effect on reducing energy consumption.

An added benefit to conserving energy is that we will save ourselves a considerable amount of money each month on our utility bills.

Car pooling, taking public transit and planning our errands better to reduce the number of trips we take in our cars each day are other ways to help everyone breathe a little easier.

ROBERT PODURGIEL
Carnegie

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Why are we still paying farmers not to plant? In this day and age of high prices, everything's going up because of oil but also because of farmers raising prices of corn and wheat because of ethanol and other issues -- and that trickles down to everything else.

Those same farmers who have been riding this gravy train forever should now have to plant corn or wheat if they still want to collect. Isn't it about time they contributed instead of taking?

RICHARD SCHMIDT
Parker

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Tax relief on the way! I'm giddy with anticipation ("Slots' Tax Relief on Way, Averaging $190," May 2). If the figures presented in the Post-Gazette are accurate, my tax savings based on the reduced amount I paid in school taxes last year (reduced because they were paid during an early discount period) will be slightly under 2.5 percent. I'm undecided: Should I finance my children's college educations with my savings or should I buy a retirement home in Florida?

What a joke. Politicians pat themselves on the back because they provide relief that is akin to pouring a bucket of water on a forest fire and your newspaper trumpets their underwhelming efforts with a front-page headline. Please, until our governor and our state legislators get serious about providing real relief from the ever increasing burden of property tax, I, for one, do not want to hear about property tax "relief."

By the way, my "tax relief" this year could very well be negated due to an increase in millage. Maybe I'll hold off on buying that retirement home.

RICH MARASTI
Robinson

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