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THE
GREENE SCREAM

Your Business or Agency can
sponsor the Greene Scream,
the most popular page on
this website, by contacting
Cindy at 724-344-7980 or
cindy@greenespeak.com.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR READERS' COMMENTS.

[POSTED MARCH 16, 2010]

WAL-MART WHIPPING NOT SURPRISING

I am not one bit surprised about the public official taking a hissy in the Wal-Mart. After all, it is Greene County and if you're some political big shot here you are entitled to try and bend the rules for yourself (and other members of your family/folks who work for you... wait, thats' redundant). Like I always said, you can dip a turd in gold, but its still a turd!

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OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF GREENESPEAK PUBLICATIONS IN WAYNESBURG, PA.
Contact Cindy at: 724-344-7980 or cindy@greenespeak.com

Use the new form, above right, to send in YOUR Greene Scream. You must include your name and a valid e-mail address.

AND NOW, THE CURRENT GREENE SCREAM...

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POSTED NOV. 10, 2009

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 GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY MISSED THE BOAT AGAIN

As always Cindy, you've done a wonderful job at covering the story.  Your diligence is much appreciated by those of us who love animals.

I'm sure that none of us are surprised that the Greene County Humane Society missed the boat on this one.  It's absolutely shameful that action was not taken until the SPCA was contacted.  Thankfully, the animals have been seized and will be cared for until the case is decided in court.

As well you know, having quite aptly covered the story of Tim the Belgian, this is not the first time that the shelter has neglected to take expedient action in the case of the abuse and neglect of an equine.  I am extremely curious as to why, whenever there is probable cause, that a search and seizure warrant is not executed immediately (As in the current case.) and the animal placed in the custody of the shelter, pending the outcome of the case?  If not for the intervention of volunteers who cared for Tim during his ordeal at their own personal expense, the outcome might have indeed, been a very sad one.  

My question is, why did the Humane Society neglect to respond to the calls that were made regarding these seven horses?  Why was no action taken by the Humane Agent, until AFTER the SPCA had been contacted?   And why should residents of Greene County even have to go out of the area, in order to procure a response to a complaint of animal abuse and neglect? 

That concerned residents are told to contact the shelter in the case of suspected abuse or neglect, yet get no response (Not even a call back.) whenever they do, is shameful.  How many animals have slipped through the cracks, and how many blatant abusers are still continuing with their behavior at the expense of helpless animals?   If the shelter does not respond, then they too, are culpable

Hopefully this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, thereby assuring the well being of these helpless animals.

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POSTED NOV. 8, 2009

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Hello Cindy We operate a hooved animal rescue in Cochranton Pa (90 miles north of Pgh) We had recieved calls regarding this neglect/ hoarding case and tried to conect the right folks with the right folks. It is a shame when folks want to get involved, but have no where to turn for the proper assistance. Thanks to Derrick and also to Bryce.. Great job.. those horses have a long road, but at least they are pointed in the proper direction.. Let's hope they are not returned to the abuser's! And Cindy - keep up the great work of telling it like it is!   

From Regina -
Hog Heaven Rescue Farm, Inc, Cochranton Pa 16314  www.hogheavenrescue.org


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POSTED SEPT. 14, 2009
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GREENESPEAK CONTRIBUTOR OPINES ON DUNKARD
Who Are They Protecting?
By
Julieann Wozniak

Those who have tasted it have described the waters of Dunkard Creek as being “saltier than seawater.” The briny contaminant in our stream’s water has killed countless fish, freshwater mussels, waterfowl, disrupted the food chain, and probably dealt a fatal body blow to a portion of the Dunkard that was in comparatively good health.

Dead fish began appearing one week ago, but PADEP is not treating this incident as a dire emergency. Instead, they are wasting valuable time “looking at active mines in the area.” As everybody who lives around them knows, mine discharges in our area have certain well-documented characteristics. The water is acidic, and can drop a stream’s pH until it can eat holes in your clothing. It contains dissolved aluminum, which gives the water a milky appearance. Or it contains dissolved iron, which turns the stream orange, and lends the water a certain taste and odor. All of these conditions exist in the segment of Dunkard Creek near Bobtown which is, by the way, DEAD! You won’t be finding any fish or mussels here. EVER! Unless you set you Wayback Machine to 1960.

Extreme salinity in a stream’s water has just one local source: water that has been used, and contaminated, during the process of drilling a gas well. Water that is supposed to be disposed of in compliance with a permit issued by PADEP. So there are two rumors floating around. One says that PADEP caught a company disposing of fracking water illegally and slapped them with an uncharacteristically large fine. One says that PADEP issued a permit for fracking water to be pumped into an abandoned mine, from which it immediately leaked. A lack of swift and highly publicized action on PADEP’s part has lent a certain cachet to either rumor.

My suspicion is that folks in Harrisburg know exactly who dumped the water in our stream. Unfortunately, they know exactly who put them in office, and whose corporate contributions are keeping them there. Gas is golden in Pennsylvania, so they simply don’t care.
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BRINE FROM GAS DRILLING? WHAT A SHOCK!

I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that the briney water is from all the wonderful gas drilling going on around here.
I'm also curious to find out on what 49 acres of land in Rices Landing the lease for CNX to drill for gas is at.
Why, we'll have a million dollar sidewalk, so folks can take a gander at the fancy gas well some where in town. It will bring business!!! I can already see the residents making a big profit from it.
Don't know about you, but when the gas drillers come knocking and offer $$$ for land, all common sense flies out the door!
Maybe out of that big payment from the gas drillers we might be able to get a speed limit sign or watch children sign here on Main Street!



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MORE ON THE OBAMA SCHOOL DRAMA...

I know why parents didn't send their kids to school to see Obama's speech. Wasn't he the one who accused us here in Greene County of 'bitterly clinging to guns and religion.'?

Personally, I do not like this Obama, I refuse to acknowledge that he is 'President' and don't need his crazy ideas espoused to my children.

Religion has nothing to do with it.

Race has nothing to do with it.

Obama has brought our country to near ruin. It doesn't matter if he wanted to tell the kids to do good in school and learn. Those same kids he wants to pep talk will face the ever growing reality that they might be homeless soon, that Mom & Dad might not have a job soon, and forget college, who can afford it?

I'm glad several school districts in our area did not show the Obama speech. I applaud them!

Our children are our future. And unfortunately there isn't much of a future for them anymore.
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POSTED SEPT. 13, 2009
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READER MAY HAVE TI FIND A NEW CAREER

I am seriously appalled at what is happening to Dunkard Creek. I work in the drilling industry but if this turns out to be a result of drilling I will have to find a new career. Someone needs to be held accountable.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I agree, although as you know, we don't have all the facts in about what is causing this awful situation. As soon as I reach any real live person in any office anywhere who knows anything, I will post it on this website. --Cindy]

ANOTHER FINE MESS

Well Cindy, [the fish kill in Dunkard] is just another mess that we will never know the causes from. When are the people of the County going to stand up and save our streams and water?
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SURPRISE! OFFICIALS SHOW LITTLE CONCERN ABOUT DEAD FISH

Read your article about the dunkard fish kill. Me and my dad are avid musky fisherman for 50 yrs, took alot of pics and video probably the same day you were down there...Sat the 12th? We spoke with 2 fish comm personnel up by the Mt Morris bank and they didn't seem very concerned at all.

A man came over to these wardens and he proceeded to tell them about a farm he had up the road where a gas well was on top of the hill. He told them the grass from that well to the bottom on the rd was complety DEAD! They didn't even want to know where it was. He went on to explain that there was even a sewage truck dumping a substance in that area.

Anyway good story and not surprising that no one has contacted you. Keep on the O-R's butt. They need it.

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WATCHING THE FISH DIE IS PAINFUL

Cindy, I am a fisherman who lives about 3 miles from where your photos were taken. And I have personally e-mailed the Pa fish and boat commission two times this year asking about Dunkard creek. I ask them why don't they do anything with this water shed.

I know that the stream has had a dark brown color all year. If the fish and boat commission would come out to our area on the occasion they may have noticed what I was talking about in my e-mails. They do nothing with Dunkard Creek and I asked why. But I never got any response from them.

Now with hindsight I wish I would have had told them about the color of the creek. I would like to know why they don't check on the streams in this area. Why do people have to pay for a fishing license to fish in Dunkard Creek when the Pa fish and Boat commission does nothing with the stream?

Where does all or money go when we buy a fishing license? I thought that was to pay for the upkeep of a stream and the wages of the Officers who work for the Pa fish and Boat Commission. But it looks like it is for the there wages only.

I know I am not a Marine Biologist but I have read many articles about stream pollution and I know it does not just happen over night. So if the fish commission would be doing their job they may have been able to catch this before it got this bad.

In my e-mails I told them how the fishing quickly went down hill. And I asked why on their website I never see fishing reports from our area. I did get a response on this one. They said that no one ever tells them anything for them to post. Shame on us fishermen and women for not keeping them posted, but it is their job to go to these streams and maintain them.

You may have noticed that I am an angry citizen of Greene County. But I am tired of paying for a fishing license and getting nothing but Trout stocked 2 times a year in the spring. I think the residents of the Dunkard Creek area should be a little more involved.

We need to make sure that whoever is responsible for this event should have to clean up the mess and re-stock the stream. And not with just fingerling fish but also adult fish. And they should have to pay for someone to keep an eye on it. I myself have been to the Shannon "swimming hole" several times over the past few days. And it pains me to see these fish dying like this.

It will take years for the the stream to recover. If someone is to stock fish to repair what has happened it will not fix the problem overnight. For example that one Musky was 15 years old. If you stock fingerlings, that's 15 years before you have a fish of that size.

I look forward to reading any updates you write.
##

THE MOORE CONVICTION:
GREENESPEAK SURE HAD THE FACTS, AS USUAL

Hi Cindy,

You sure had the facts, as usual, on the vehicle accident (which was really a non-accident. Motorists frequently take their eyes off the road and of of traffic in order to dial a telephone number with a handhald cell phone.

Just stand on Greene Street in Waynesburg and watch the errant motorist pass by with a cell phone held to their ear and a cigarette or beverage can in the other hand. Who is steering the vehicle?

Was the wrongdoer operating a motor vehicle at an excessive speed and having fun with her "toy"? What is so important with these cell phones? Are they whispering "sweet nothings" or engaging in phone sex?

An innocent person is dead and the taxpayers of Greene County are saddled with costs on both sides of the trial.

Now a resentencing hearing after the trial to go through. The wrongdoer paid nothing and now wants to go free and "have a good time" - at taxpayer expense. Is there no consideration for the family of the innocent victim?

The roads will only be safe wth the handheld cell phone operator in a cell.

Enough is enough. Why does our state representative and state senator do nothing about enacting legislation against handheld phones while operating a motor vehicle? How many more people will have to be injured or killed before something is done?

##



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POSTED SEPT. 12, 2009
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WALK A MILE IN A GRIEVING MOTHER'S SHOES

This month's entry for the Wet Hen [in the September print edition of GreeneSpeak and excertped on this website's homepage]has addressed an issue that has bothered me for some time. As one who has followed the Moore case since the occurence of the fatal crash that killed Hope Maley, until the time of the conviction of Britnee Moore, I would like to offer a few observations.

The unending persecution of Darlene Maley has baffled me from the beginning. I must say that in light of this, she has exercised great restraint. The criticisms of her that have appeared in the comments section of the online version of the local paper, have been beyond the pale. Those from so called *religious* people, are the comments that I have found to be the most offensive. The suggestion that she should just forgive and forget and move on, is most offensive to me. Yes, we're certainly expected to forgive others for their errors and mistakes, but forgiveness certainly does not imply that we are to accept or condone their actions or behaviors, and it most assuredly does not imply that we are not to seek justice. (Note that I said justice, not revenge).

The verdict in the Moore case was guilty. The sentence was 5-36 months in jail for Homicide by Vehicle, Manslaughter, and Reckless Endangerment, all serious offenses. We can safely assume that Miss Moore will not end up serving the full thirty six months. The penalty seems miniscule in light of the enormity of the offense. Miss Moore's vehicle became a *weapon* the moment that she chose to drive at excessive speeds while conversing with friends on her cell phone. It was not an accident caused by a pot hole or a momentary distraction, but rather the direct result of her irresponsible actions while behind the wheel of a rapidly moving vehicle, the end result being that she took an innocent life. It didn't have to happen.

In light of this, why shouldn't Darlene Maley want justice for her daughter? Anyone in her unenviable position would expect the same. Why is it so difficult for others to put themselves in her position? She woke up that morning with a beautiful sixteen year old daughter who would be celebrating her birthday the next day, and she went to bed that night without her, knowing that she would never see her again. That pain is excruciating
and never ending and one that no parent should have to bear. Add to that, the fact that her daughter's death was an unnecessary occurence caused by the recklessness and negligence of another, and the pain increases by a hundredfold.

To all of you out there who are Mothers yourselves, walk a mile in her shoes before you throw that first stone. Try to imagine how you would react if you were to find yourself in her most unenviable position. Please do not insult my intelligence by telling me that you would be overcome by feelings of charity and benevolence for the one who caused your unnecessary loss, because you wouldn't. Like Hope's Mother, you would expect the court to provide justice.

Was justice served in the case of Britnee Moore? Public opinion is still divided regarding this issue and will likely remain so. Many feel that the sentence was not enough and are currently questioning the judge's decision to reconsider the maximum sentence of the verdict, but that's another issue and comment should be reserved until it is decided at the hearing. One can only hope that the final decision of the issue will be a fair and just one. Hope deserves no less.

Signed,
A Mother


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POSTED AUG. 30, 2009
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READER SAYS O-R IS 'EMBARRASSING'

I'm on the bandwagon with the previous poster. The O-R is one of the most boring news rags I've ever read. Let's take last week for example.

For whatever reason, the O-R decided to run a long story about a former Coal Queen who was lucky enough to make it out of Greene County, and who became a very successful dance instructor. Granted, it was undoubtedly written due to the upcoming Coal Queen Pageant and Coal Show week, but was the piece *newsworthy*? I think not. There are much more important issues in this County that need to be addressed. While it was a pleasant and entertaining little piece, it couldn't by a long-shot be classified as a legitimate news article. No wonder that so many of us don't read that paper anymore!

Whenever I want County news, I go to Greenspeak. If it's national news that I'm in the mood for---I'm a news junkie--- I head out onto the web to catch the NY Times or the Washington Post.

You know, these days whenever I see a copy of the Observer Reporter, I am often overcome with feelings of embarrassment. Some of the articles are no better written than those written by high school students who are in their first semester of Journalism class. The O-R needs to clean up it's act and start doing *real* news articles about Greene County issues.

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POSTED AUGUST 28, 2009
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WHY THEY'RE IN THE CRAPPER

I quit reading the O R for news years ago. They do nothing but re-print crap from bigger news papers & don't really cover local news (unless its something suck uppy & totally for butt kissing purposes).

I've checked out their on line version, usually if someone e mails me something from the comments section or their 'ahem' letters to the editor (lol, I say LOL!).

I think the folks at the O R really like freaks and lunatics to publish their comments and letters. Why, if you believed some of the letters to the editors you'd think a certain playground in Carmichaels was littered with needles from junkies and left over crack pipes, or that EVERYONE loves the local, state and national government.

The O R has blogs? REALLY? HA! I stumbled upon what was supposed to be a blog by someone there. Come on! You call that a blog? No wonder the O R is in the crapper!
As for the religious nutcases, get lost. You give real Christians a bad name. It was just yesterday that some really religious nutcase was arrested for keeping a girl hostage in his back yard for 18 years and fathering 2 kids with her. You nutcases keep the Hell away from me & mine thank you!
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POSTED AUGUST 27, 2009
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NO SUGAR COATING HERE

You know what I really love about Greenespeak? NO SPORTS!!! Pick up any newspaper and more than half of it is sports crap. When I want news, I WANT NEWS! I could give a crap less about football, baseball, basketball and all that garbage. I also like that nothing is sugar coated and sweet so not to offend. Greenespeak is number 1 in my book!

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POSTED AUGUST 24, 2009
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LOCAL PA PRO-LIFE FEDERATION COORDINATOR SAYS HEALTH CARE BILL WILL NOT BLOCK PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ABORTION

Lies and misinformation are swirling about the new health care proposals, specifically H.R. 3200.

The President, many in the media, and pro-abortion members of congress including Arlen Specter are spreading the lie that H.R. 3200 will not provide federal funding for abortion. They say the Hyde Amendment, which prevents Medicaid money from being used to pay for abortions (with exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother) will block any funding from this new health care bill from being used for abortions. That is a lie.

The Hyde Amendment not only has to be renewed by congress every year, which is far from a sure thing, but it only deals with Medicaid funding. It wouldn't block public funding for this new health care proposal from being used for abortions. When amendments to the bill were offered to prevent federal funding of abortions, they were defeated in committee by pro-abortion members of congress. Not only that, but the bill would force all private insurers to pay for abortions. H.R. 3200 is, among other things, a pork barrel for the abortion industry.

The American people have spoken time and again, including many who support abortion, that we don't want our tax dollars being used to pay for abortions. But the new administration, many in the media, and congress won't let our voices or interests get in the way of their political agenda. They aren't letting the truth get in their way either, as they continue to lie about this bill.

Sincerely,

Bryce C. McMinn
Southwest Regional Coordinator
Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
74 Oak Spring Road, Suite 101
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 228-1162
##

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I HAVE CONTACTED SPECTER'S OFFICE FOR A RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER. --CINDY]




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POSTED JULY 30, 2009
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MORE TRANSPARENCY NEEDED AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY

I'm so curious here. Exactly, what is the motivation of an individual who exhibits abusive or neglectful behavior towards another living creature? What provokes any person to procure animals, and to then deny them the basic necessities of life? How is it, that many who have the wherewithal to provide care for the animals in their charge, choose instead to withhold that care? Where is the satisfaction and what is the *pay off* ?

Okay, we've all seen the news stories about animal hoarders. We've all seen the literature that refers to hoarding as being a possible mental illness. Oh please spare me---just get out the old violin and start playing like Itzhak Perlman. Since when do we need a mental health label for slothful and neglectful behavior that lacks any semblance of empathy or compassion? Why do we have this need to make excuses for behavior that often is, or borders on, the criminal?

Recently I heard a newsman commenting on the illustrious (Said with tongue firmly imbedded in cheek.) Michael Vick. Evidently, Mr. Vick has stated that he had been involved in pit fighting since the age of eight, and that it was the norm in the neighborhood where he grew up. As far as I am concerned, it was not a suitable enough explanation, but rather just another thinly veiled attempt at proclaiming his innocence. *Wah wah, what do you expect? Poor me, poor me, poor underprivileged me. Sniff...sniff....* Give me a break here---this jerk saw it simply as another attempt to make some money, as if the NFL didn't pay him enough as it was. A Smooth Criminal this guy ain't. Ha yes, Michael Vick is such a shining example for America's youth.

Here in Green County, blatant abuse and neglect of animals is rampant. Where is the Green County Humane Society in all of this? Are they part of the fix, or part of the problem? I would suggest that they are having an extremely difficult time interpreting the law and exercising the rights of the Humane Agent. (I'm certainly not the only one who feels this way. Their fame spread far and wide as the result of what appeared to be gross mishandling of a recent long-standing abuse and neglect case.) I would suggest that their records be made public, and the following information included:

1. How many abuse calls have come in and have they been duly recorded?

2. Was each complaint responded to, and was it in a timely manner?

3. How many citations have been issued?

4. How many animals have been seized?

5. How many individual complaints resulting in citations, made it to the magisterial level, and how many convictions resulted.?

If they are going to continue soliciting donations for the funding of the Shelter, then the public should be granted the right to view information of the above sort. Will that ever happen? Hell no!


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[POSTED JULY 26, 2009]
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WHY DON'T WE STOP THE ELECTED OFFICIAS' PAYCHECKS?

From the letters I'm reading, and the people I've been talking to, the budget impasse is not a very good thing to those directly effected- by loss of a paycheck.
But this effect also goes to a broader expanse. The businesses of the state that are suffering due to all these people who are hoarding what savings they have to cover an indefinate payless work period, or are simply broke because they have no money to spend. It means that not only are the businesses are suffering, but the revenue from sales taxes, and taxes on profit are expiring. The state is loosing money! This will not come back when the pay resumes- it's gone. So add another big question mark next to the logic of our entire elected state government.
Perhaps we should shove through a law that requires a state budget be passed- before expiration of the current budget, and failure to do so whould result in imediate suspension of all pay and benefits to ALL state level elected people. That means the governor, senators, represenatives, judges all loose pay, expense accounts, cars, travel allowance, housing allowance, health care, everything until a budget is passed. And failure to show during schedualed work hours results in forfieting their job. See how they like it. And it wouldn't have near the economic impact as the present program.


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[POSTED JULY 25, 2009]
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MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO YOU TOO, ED

Dear Mr. Rendell, Today is my birthday and I wanted to thank you for making it easy to choose what to do to celebrate "my day". With no paycheck coming in we don't have the money to spend, so there was no decision to be made. By the way, when we got our "paycheck" yesterday you forgot a lot of the over time hours my spouse was mandated to work. I'm sure you'll clear that up REALLY soon, right?



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[POSTED JULY 24, 2009]
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PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE WELFARE BUMS

Speaking of grants....
Why is it so easy for these little shanty towns in Greene County to get these huge grants to build things that don't help the folks who live there?
A million dollar sidewalk built alongside a street that is one lane wide, and so full of potholes and cracks that you're afraid it will wash away.
Money to revitalize a dead business section, and pass the burden of the utilities onto the people who are trying to run a business.
Greene County has the biggest welfare pay outs in the form of all this grant money & the elected officials are the biggest welfare bums there are!

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[POSTED JULY 21, 2009]
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS FLOUTING THE CONSTITUTION
Here's a good question for all youz guys. Why is it that the Guvna' and all of his butt buddies in the General ASSembly has no problem shoving a court decision in state workers' faces about not paying them, yet flout the CONSTITUTIONAL RULE about having a budget done by July 1?
I'll tell you why. Because there is no penalty for these a------s when they don't have it done on time!!!!!! They say they're not getting paid either. Yeah, right. Most of them are lawyers. They know how and where to put the slush fund for times like this, so they can blow the smoke up someone else's ass.
Our supposedly "knowledgable" leaders in the PA House just voted another budget proposal down 150-49!!!!!!!! I wonder, are they going to pass legislation to protect my credit score from tanking thanks to their petty squabbling? I highly doubt it!!!!!!
If these idiots really cared as much as they say on t.v. they'd have stayed in Harrisburg over the July 4th holiday and did what had to be done.
I hope that enough people remember this sh*t come next election day. We never had this kind of trouble under a REPUBLICAN governor !!!!!!!! The last time we had an impasse that screwed state workers around was when the last DEMOCRATIC governor was in office.
Don't forget the idiots in the House and Senate either. Perhaps we need to replace a bunch more of them. We can start with the ones who have been in office for more than two decades. obviously they've forgotten just who they work for.
Look at Greene County. 3 million dollars in grants, (the most of any district in PA) and STILL POOR !!!!!!! You need jobs to support an economy NOT GRANTS !!!!!! Stop buying votes with grants Mr. Politico !!!!!!! You can't maintain an infrastructure without JOBS !!!!!!!

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POSTED JULY 15, 2009
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MORE ON CELL PHONE USE ON RT. 218

I have Verizon and cell service there is spotty; some days you have it and some you don't.

I no longer travel 218 unless I have to. I drive to the Spraggs/Brock area daily and have altered my commute to township roads. There's too many goobers driving too fast on 218.


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POSTED JULY 13, 2009
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CELL PHONE SIGNAL ON RT. 218

About the Hope Maley accident. Anyone who has ever driven out that road knows there is NO SIGNAL that far out. Cell phone? I don't buy it!!!!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I hear what you're saying but, actually, the accident happened only about three miles from Waynesburg where you can still get a signal. The state trooper testified at the trial that he went back to the site, even got out and walked around and said his cell phone DID have a signal, although it faded in and out somewhat. This, to me, would be even more distracting. I know out in western Greene County, I've been driving along and all of a sudden I get a voice mail alert and I drive myself crazy trying to retrieve it as the signal fades in and out. I recommend pulling off the side of the road to do this, however!]
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POSTED JULY 9, 2009
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WHERE'S THE JUSTICE?

Since you really want to know what's on my mind and what's been bugging my own sense of justice as a resident of Greene County, I'll just spit it right out. In Greene County it seems that you can mow down three children with your vehicle, flee the scene, get apprehended smelling of alcohol, address the damage on your vehicle by telling the police *I think I hit someone*, and be released on ten per cent of a piddling $10,000 bail. As a rule, I rarely write or post to any of the local papers, but the Dodson hit and run has my blood boiling. How would Steve Dodson like it if it were members of his own family who were run down by a hit and run driver who had been drinking? This whole thing STINKS to high heaven.
##



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JUNE 4, 2009
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If Britnee Moore drove from Uniontown to Blacksville and back to the crash site within 45 minutes---then she was hellin' it. The verdict is just. The sad thing is that she probably won't get the full seven years.

As far as I am concerned, once she began to drive at excessive speeds the car became a *weapon*. Gossiping on her cell phone and texting??? She's standing in front of a bar whenever a photo is snapped? I wasn't born yesterday, she wasn't just walking by and taking in the fresh air.

Bottom line is that her negligence, irresponsibility and airheadedness, caused Hope's death. Moore will grow up to live a full life, get married, have kids, the whole nine yards. Her parents haven't lost her. What do Hope's poor parents have?

I wish that they'd throw the friggin' book at her, lock her up and throw away the damned key and never let her see the light of day again. This case grates on my last friggin' nerve. Homicide. It doesn't get any plainer than that.

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POSTED JUNE 3, 2009
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MAYBE SOMEONE WILL LEARN FROM THIS TRAGEDY

I'm happy to see justice served in the sad case of the death of Hope Maley.

There needs to be stiffer laws concerning the use of cell phones while driving. It is the one thing that makes my flesh crawl when I see people talking on their cells and not paying much attention to the road.

And though the Moore girl, who hit Hope head-on, may never serve the full sentence and she might not learn from her mistakes I hope someone else has.

There is no reason at all to drive & talk on a phone.

Texting? How could you watch the road while doing this?

I think if someone is caught yakking and texting while driving they should be fined, the old 3 strikes your out treatment. Maybe that will prevent another tragedy.
##



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POSTED JANUARY 27, 2009
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[THERE ARE TWO NEW LETTERS POSTED HERE].

SINCE WHEN HAS VOICING YOUR CONCERNS BECOME AN ACT OF REVENGE?

It seems that lately the GreeneSpeak has been accused of "making things up" in regard to coverage of a couple borough meetings, Rices Landing in particular.

It's also being said people who have legitimate complaints and concerns over the way things are handled in this county use the GreeneSpeak to get back at people. Since when has voicing your concerns and telling your story become an act of revenge?

Let me set the record straight over Rices Landing: I have been attending their borough meetings faithfully for about 2 years now. Heck, I haven't missed but one meeting and that's because I had surgery that day. But I know that certain members of council miss half the meetings in any given year. I have sat through meetings where GreeneSpeak was accused of using Rices Landing to sell FREE newspapers, like Rices Landing is such a popular place and the mere mention of this town can stop traffic.

I have been witness to the verbal attacks of the former administrator/secretary, I am witness to the verbal attacks against Councilman Joe Celesky when he asks questions about anything that might not be on the up and up. I have seen and heard council members yell and carry on when people who dare attend these meetings voice opposistion to some pretty far out plans.

I'm pretty sure that within days of this letter being printed I will receive a complaint from the borough over my property, or the dog warden will be called on me, or CYS will come to my home, or my van will get egged, or any number of strange things will happen. People here don't like it when someone talks and they have a way of making your life miserable when you do. It is just the petty way petty people behave when they have things to hide and be ashamed of.

I think GreeneSpeak is one of the most courageous news sources in this county. How else are people going to know what is really going on here? If it wasn't for GreeneSpeak, nobody would know about how backwards Greene County government really is.

I guess it's easier for the powers that be to accuse one newspaper of lying, and accuse the people who have legitmate concerns of being "vengeful," than it is to own up to their shenanigans and admit that they are in the wrong.

I suppose you could sign me as "A friend of GreeneSpeak," but I prefere you use my real name.

Yours,
Melanie Miller
Rices Landing
##
SENSIBLE PEOPLE DO NOT TURN DOWN FREE MONEY

So, it sounds like Humane Jane has chosen, at the expense of animal welfare, to willingly participate in the cronyism and political favoritism which passes for democracy in Greene County. Sensible people do not turn down offers of free money when the economy is in the tank.

Given that my parents' nursing home care costs considerably more than the care and feeding of a horse, she isn't getting a cent from me. Only the Fayette County Humane Society, which is also dependent on the good graces of a deeply entrenched Party machine, behaves in a like manner. Those in Mon and Washington counties do not.

Julieann Wozniak
Bobtown (and GreeneSpeak Columnist)
##




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JANUARY 12, 2008
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READER SICK OF STEELER FANS WITH NO CLASS

I've been a Steelers fan since birth and until recently, I have always been extremely proud of that fact. Between my wife and I, we own over 30 jerseys, we have Steelers furniture, jewelry, shoes, etc. I even have a Steelers symbol tattooed on my back. So yeah, you could call us fans.

Not surprisingly, there are a LOT of people just like us around here. The Steelers have always represented everything this area stands for...hard-nosed, tough, blue collar players playing hard -osed, tough, blue collar football.

The pulse of southwestern Pennsylvania can be changed on any given Sunday. When we win, Mondays don't seem like such a bad day. When we lose, the entire region goes straight into cranky mode. It has always been this way and I've always been amazed with the effect the team has on our lives. The fact that we connect so well with the team, to the point where it can alter our attitudes for days on end, is something else to be proud of.

The problem is that the pride slowly turns to shame at almost every game I attend. Today's fans are not your daddy's Steelers fans and trust me, that's not a good thing. Over the past decade-and-a-half I've gone to around 50 games at Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field. Over this time I have seen drastic changes in our fan base.

As a whole, we have always been a beer drinking, armchair Quarterbacking bunch... but once upon a time, we had class. This is something that cannot be said for many of today's fans.

Let's take last night for example. My wife and I attended the playoff game against the Chargers. The Steelers played incredibly great football! The O-line was phenomenal, the receivers had good hands, Ben was throwing the ball well, Parker was on fire, and the defense played lights-out almost all night long. It was a fantastic effort, to say the least. Sounds like a really great game to attend, right? Guess again.

As usual, we end up sitting right in the middle of a group of over-intoxicated people who seem to care a little more about finding the beer vendor than what's happening with the game. I suppose that I should preface this by saying that yes, I used to drink. Actually, I used to drink heavily. So no, I absolutely do not have a problem with people enjoying a few brews with their friends. As long as they have a designated driver and are of legal age, I say go for it. What I do have a problem with is their actions once they have a few too many.

Here are just a few of the things I witnessed last night alone. There was a gentleman sitting directly in front of me who was wearing a Chargers jersey. Now you would most definitely expect some good natured ribbing, but I was shocked with what this guy had to endure. Every time the Steelers made a good play, the drunk sitting behind me would reach down, twirling his Terrible Towel, and hit the guy in the head with it repeatedly. Anytime the Chargers fan would turn around to his right, the guy directly to my right would stick his middle finger in his face...I mean almost touching the guy. Another drunk who was sitting a few rows back was yelling vile things at him as well.

Now keep in mind that this guy never said a word to anyone. He kept to himself and was obviously not looking for any trouble. He paid $125 for his ticket just like the rest of us had and all he wanted to do was watch the game. Instead, he ends up being tortured by drunks for 3.5 hours straight. I apologized to the guy at halftime and told him that not all Pittsburgh fans are morons.

When they weren't torturing the Chargers fan, the two guys to my right occupied themselves by screaming as many vulgarities as they could come up with. The fact that there were older ladies and gentlemen, as well as children, within earshot made absolutely no difference to them. Actually, at one point an older lady in front of them turned around and very politely asked them to please watch their language. They didn't appreciate it and they not only used even more vulgarities, they began to mock her with them.

Then there are the drunken armchair Quarterbacks that you run across at every single game. After a questionable play they will begin screaming "Throw the flag, Tomlin!! Throw it you stupid, M***** F*****!". Now, these are the guys whose intelligence I really question. Do they seriously think that Coach Tomlin can hear them? And moreover, do they seriously believe that he cares about anything they have to say? They scream at coaches, refs and above all, players. The team played an outstanding game last night. Period. It's not even debatable. Yet there they were, screaming at the defense to play better...screaming at Ben for (wisely) throwing the ball away when the Chargers defense had our receivers blanketed, screaming at Willie after he rips a 9 yard run, etc. It can get truly ridiculous at times. I realize that a lot of it is the alcohol talking, and it would be somewhat acceptable (to a point) if they could simply leave the profanity out of their rants.

It would even be somewhat understandable, not acceptable mind you, but understandable, if these guys were young twenty-something's but the majority of them are 35+!! They are supposed to be grown men. Now I'm not sure what being a grown man means to some people, but I know my Dad or Grandpap would never even think about acting like that in front of women and children, which is probably why I wouldn't do it either. It's one thing to talk that way at a bar, an adult party, or any scene of that nature...where you are amongst (adult) friends, but these games are supposed to be family-friendly events and in my mind there is absolutely NO reason for people to be acting this way.

Maybe it has always been this way and I'm just noticing it because I'm just getting older, or because I don't drink much anymore, or because I have children of my own...I'm not sure. All I know is that it's getting progressively worse and nothing is being done to stop it. Maybe all of us who have experienced this need to write letters to the organization asking them to address this situation? Maybe it would help...maybe not. Trying definitely couldn't hurt though.

I actually wish Mr. Rooney wasn't such a well-known figure. I have a feeling that things would change if he were to blend into the crowd and experience this for himself just once. He can have my tickets since my desire to go has dwindled away to the point where I may just stay home and watch them on TV from now on. Thanks a lot, Mr. Drunken Idiot, you've managed to ruin something that I once loved more than anything.

Brett Bennett
Waynesburg

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POSTED NOVEMBER 20, 2008
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As a Republican, I got mail from Hopkins and DeWeese day after day, much like the other Greene Screamer. Sorry to say that however much Demo (taxpayer) money H. Wm. spent on those nice shiny mailers, so did Team Hopkins spend GOP (taxpayer) money as well, just not as much. Frankly, I am so sickened by the current parties that I am considering changing my registration to one of the smaller parties. I am laughing at those who voted for change only to find out we're getting four more years of the Clinton administration. Some change!

[EDITOR'S NOTE REGARDING TAXPAYER MONEY ON CAMPAIGNS: Any LEGAL money spent on the campaigns should have come out of the funds of the Democratic and Republican Committees, not out of the state's general fund or anything. However, the activities of the incumbents are often pretty grey when they are campaigning. You may recall seeing an awful lot of Bill DeWeese this year. Were his trips back and forth from Harrisburg to Waynesburg part of his job or was it just face time? Was he spending time eating hot dogs with the Boy Scouts (or whatever) when he shoud have been working on legislation in the GA? You could ask similar questions about any incumbent running for any office. In the end YOU (the taxpayer) ALWAYS get stuck with the bill (no pun intended)....


BILL WAS THE DIRTY ONE

DeWeese was the one who ran a dirty campaign, not Greg Hopkins. How many stupid fliers came in the mail from DeWeese headquarters to my home, portraying Greg Hopkins as someone not from our area, someone who was less than worthy to run because he was in sports, etc?
Of course, all this was done with MY tax money!
Voters who supported Bill should be ashamed of themselves for voting Bill back in.
##

READER DISAPPOINTED WITH WEBSITE

In my opinion GreeneSpeak is very generic and unprofessional. I'm personally ashamed to see such crap while browsing your website. Why don't you take the time to inform the public of something of interest? Maybe something good that comes about Greene County? I was hoping that logging onto your website I would find something to stimulate my brain. Very disappointing.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't you love it that when you question or challenge any incumbent Democrat, the loyal supporters call you "unprofessional" or worse? My advice to this reader is if you don't like this website, please, BY ALL MEANS, make your own statement and delete it from your bookmarks!]

##
AND PROBABLY FROM THE SAME PERSON AS ABOVE...

Thank God this paper is free. I sure wouldn't buy this junk.

TO WHICH THE EDITOR RESPONDS...
Pay 75 cents for the Messenger or $1 for the Sunday O-R and see what you get. And THANKS FOR READING!!!


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POSTED NOVEMBER 11, 2008
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CEMETERY VANDALISM IS A CRIME AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH

Recently grave stones at a local cemetery were toppled over. How much further damage there was this writer does not know.
I uunderstand that law enforcement has to hear from a family member in order to even file a report. From this recent "crime", to the one in another section of the County where a parking lot was made atop a cemetery, to who knows what, I feel it is past time for law enforcement to show more attention to crimes such as this.
Destroying a mail box is a federal offense.
Destroying a part of a cemetery..,it should be a big deal! But I may be wrong. Perhaps it is being treated like the crime it is.
And shake the hand of a veteran come Tuesday the 11th and every day after. While Heads of State may change every two or four years, the same Americans do the fighting year in and year out.


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POSTED SEPT. 11, 2008
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READER ASKS: WHY WOULD GREENESPEAK PUBLISH SUCH A STORY?

Why would the case of Hope Maley's body being moved be published? To me, this is a very private matter and I would think that this family would be appalled that something so private and painful is being published for everyone to read about...I have family at this burial site also and have never seen anything like what was described.

EDITOR'S NOTE: (Warning! This is a long one). This is a good question. I would have thought that this matter would have remained private as well, but when Hope's father decided that he wanted her mother to be taken off as administrix, he knew that the matter would have to go to court where it becomes public record.

The "evidence" they provided to have her removed as administrix was "lack of communication" regarding the relocation of the remains, but the judge immediately threw that out because the father's attorney Kirk King admitted that he had received "adequate correspondence" regarding the estate.

Regarding any matters that reach Greene County Court, most cases (unless they are about juveniles or some unusual circumstance as the judge sees fit) are available for the public to view and are listed by hand in a big log book in the prothonotary's office. The actual documents for the cases are filed in that office. You give them the numbers and they will give you the documents to look at or copy. Then you can find out when the heaaring is to be held. Any citizen may ask to see these documents and you do not have to tell who you are or why you want to see them.

In this case, several GreeneSpeak articles about the cemetery were attached as an exhibit for the mother's side, because the condition of the cemetery is why she wanted to move her daughter. I have to admit that I had heard the story of the leaking crypts from a number of folks as I was writing the articles so the hearing was of interest.

I felt that my readers would like to know about this matter because so many people have called me (and are still calling) about the practices of that cemetery. Truly folks have practically begged me to keep going with this.

Maybe it's in poor taste, but I have dubbed that place, "The cemetery that keeps on giving...GRIEF to those who mourn" due to the horror stories I have been told by grieving family members.

Although the reader who sent in this Greene Scream has not witnessed anything traumatizng at the cemetery, I have personally experienced the awful odor in and around the mausoleum, and have seen many other things which have been described in my newspaper and which indicate the owners care more about money than people.

However, officials there have been cleaning the place up since I started asking questions, but there are still questionable things going on regarding the burial of "pre-need" vaults and their billing practices, and more.

Regarding the Maley hearing, I guess I also wanted to see if anyone else had found any new information on the cemetery. (They didn't).

Additionally, I was not previously aware of this, but during the hearing after she saw me there, Hope's mother called me to take the stand. She had wanted me to tell what I knew about the cemetery, but Craig Maley's attorney, Kirk King, would have none of it. It had already been discussed anyway, and everyone agreed that there are/were problems there, so I did not speak.

I'm not sure why King was so irritated about me taking the stand. All I was going to say was, yeah it smells in that place. (It is getting better, however. There wasn't any smell inside about a week ago, but you could still smell it outside near Hope's resting place).

I don't take any story lightly and choose the topics based on relevance to current events and/or matters which seem important to the public for various reasons. I knew the preiminary hearing for the Moore girl who hit Hope Maley head-on would be coming up on Sept. 5th, a story also included in the September edition.

Many times I take on certain stories because someone who feels that their voice is not being heard has asked for my help, but I do spend a lot time with these folks and make lots of phone calls to people who know them before I agree to write something.

As anyone who reads GreeneSpeak knows, I dig deeper than the other local media typically do and that means I cover things they often ignore.

Incidentally, the judge must have agreed that the matter of Hope's final resting place should be private between the parents. He has ruled that no one can touch their daughter's remains until the two of them reach some kind of agreement. Which I hope for all their sakes' is soon.


##

[POSTED AUG. 12, 2008]

FINALLY, SOME INFO ON THE FRANKLIN TWP SHOOTING...

Well, finally some info on the shooting in Franklin Township. It is good to read that the wheels of justice are not depleted of air and they still do roll. But I still wonder why 911 response was not faster, especially in the middle of the day and just minutes from PSP...5 911 calls? I don't understand.

This is important to all Greene County residents! As is all that happens in Harrisburg government is important to all Pennsylvania residents.

##

I SEE NOTHING. I HEAR NOTHING

The day started like any other day, the sky was blue, then flash out of no where comes a category (5) tornado. As the winds subside, as the dust settles, in the middle of the ruins of the Democratic cacus in Harrisburg, Mr. H. William Deweese rushes to the aid of his bewildered colleagues, pounds on his chest, looks to the heavens, and in the most defining moment in the history of PA politics, proclaims: "I SEE NOTHING, I HEAR NOTHING."

Truly a moment in time where greatness could have been, should have been. But through all of the debris, after all of the wailing and gnashing of teeth, he will be remembered as just another politican using all tactics, ethical and nonethical, to save his own pompus ass...at the risk of his own party's majority.

Our great state will be tarnished for generations to come, as a place of clandestine operations, against its very own people, and against its very own CONSTITUTION.

I will vote for you as soon as hell freezes over. The day started like any other day, the sky was blue....
##
MORE LIGHT NEEDED ON MONON CENTER STORY

I have enjoyed reading your "free press" articles and agree that journalism needs a balance of truth and idealism to get to the root of these issues.

Your articles on the CYS and SQUATTER THEFT (ALICIA) are well done and something does stink - as citizens we deserve the right to be protected from this type of (mis)justice.

However,(and you knew that was coming) your recent and past coverage of the Greensboro Schoolhouse is way off the mark and it would be my opinion that you have been misdirected in reported facts by the Monon board as the citizens of Greensboro themselves have been.

As you have stated before "ALL GREENESPEAK WANTS IS THE TRUTH and the public deserves some sort of explanation and evidence of a true effort to make sure this doesn't happen again. THIS IS NOT PERSONAL."

To these ends, you should know that over 220 citizens came together in petition to question the acts of the Monon Board over the years, not bad for a community only ¼ sq mile in area.

While the niceties of a scholarship sounds extremely benevolent, that wasn't the purpose the MONON Board was founded, chartered or excepted donations and loans from area family members.

Citizens of South Western Pennsylvania have been exploited of their mineral rights, their air quality, and wholesaling their heritage would be simply another reason to say "Just roll over and die" - I truly believe citizens should be "pissed" when their trust is deliberately abused specifically when it is such a short chain of command (citizen gives gift to museum - museum sells gift for scholarship? - hey, I thought it was a MUSEUM!)

Regardless, our Attorney General with the laws of the Commonwealth are here to protect the interests of its citizens and we all have a chance to witness it in action. I believe that (as well as hope) that the truth does come out and that perhaps that all the little circumstantial issues surrounding this will be covered in future articles by yourself.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I already knew about the petition when I wrote the first article last winter. Here's my take on that: If a couple of little ol' ladies were standing around crying, "Save our school!" in your tiny town, could you resist signing their paper? People will sign anything just to avoid being rude in a situation like this. Experience has taught most of us that these little community petitions can help but the people in charge make the real decisions. Regarding the items in the museum, what gives one nonprofit - the Nathanael Greene Foundation - the right to boss around another nonprofit - Monon Center Inc. - and to determine what is done with the assets? Just how and when DO you dissove a defunct nonprofit? If the NGF or the borough wants the stuff so badly, why don't they bid on it like everyone else? That way everybody wins: the stuff stays in town and the Monon Center gets to establish its scholarship fund. The one thing I don't like is how the Monon Center board is being, uhm, slandered by so-called caring community leaders. These people grew up together, for heavens' sakes! Stay tuned. We pledge to get as much light shed on this as humanly possible. If you know something pertinent and specific, pleae e-mail me or send another Greene Scream on this matter. cindy@greenespeak.com is my e-mail.]




[POSTED AUG. 7, 2008]

HI, I am back. Six months of my head buried in the gas, and oil fields of Greene County. Not far from home,just no time for my other life, and that is being involved in this county.

As I read the Greene Scream, I see many speaking, and expressing there disapproval of the powers in charge. Bravo!

First, thank GOD for those in our military. So many stand up and serve, may His Grace be with you always.

In recognition of all who have served in our littlest of counties, the road should be named after them all.
Mr. Davison, Mr. Matthews, thank you, with people like you in our county keeping up the true fight for our heroes, they will be forever in the forefront of our minds, always in our prayers, and only normalized by there humble selves.
I see Mr. Zimmerman has taken a stand in the Herald-Standard. Wow, I am impressed! Yes sir boss, what ever you say, boss. How does one who has no guts have so much to say? Then again, that is why you are mayor.
##

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[POSTED JULY 17, 2008]
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PARENTS, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

The key to protecting yourself and your children from CYS is to know your rights. To not let them intimidate you. Because the Supreme Court has said that parents have the ultimate right to their children and not the state!

CYS is so treacherous that they sneak into schools and snatch kids and the parents are not notified by CYS or the schools! Parents wait at bus stops for kids who are not coming home.

Attorneys can be just as foul, when they tell parents to waive their right to a custody hearing within the 72-hour time span that parents have after their children have been snatched. When parents waive these rights they have just admitted that, yes, their children need to be in foster care and they might have a hearing within a year! Most states allow a time span of 15 months in foster care before terminating parental rights & placing the child for adoption.

CYS has a history of abuse stretching back to 1974 with the passage of what is commonly known as the Mondale Act(CAPTA-Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act).

CYS became even more corrupt after Clinton's Welfare Reform Act & Safe Families Act that gave incentives and bonuses to states that placed more children into Foster Care, and gave Adoption Assistance to people who wanted to adopt these freshly stolen children. Its more lucrative to keep them in Foster Care because CYS can apply for Welfare/food stamps and medical assistance for Foster Children.

It's funny, because maybe if these kids' parents had been able to receive these federal funds for themselves through welfare, they might still have their kids. Clinton basically opened the floodgates for the total destruction of the family when he passed the Welfare Reform Act. (Thanks, Bill!)

In addition to CYS being welfare bums, they also get federal money for each child in foster care, above and beyond the welfare allocation. In addition, if the snatched child's parents are with $$ means, the parents also have to pay child support.

Hell, with all this $$ flying around out there, a whole child abuse industry has popped up. From special education programs run outside the mainstream public schools, who pay for their operations under Medicaid, to vast forests of psychologists, specialists, and other mental health quacks who deal with children. You then have RTF's (residential treatment facilities) who are paid for through the Safe Families Act monies, and also by the parents of the children held hostage there.

With the child abuse industry roaring away, CYS makes sure to keep the $$$ coming by feeding innocent children to the grinding gears of a morally, ethically and constitutionally corrupt monster. Innocent children and families, sacrificed for the worthless currency of a corrupt government.

This abuse will only end when people realize that they, as parents, somehow unwittingly entered into an assumed contract with a shadowy government entity called CYS, the moment their child was born. That they unwittingly said, that, yes, we need the state to assume guardianship of our child because we can't raise the child on our own. And that this assumption, known only to the state, has given the monster known as CYS the assumed right to 'pull' any child, from anyone, for any reason, at anytime.

The assumption of guardianship needs to be broken. It is time for parents to say "My children are mine! Not the state's! Not the Government's!" It's time for the government to get out of our homes, to recognize a parent's God-given and constitutionally-given rights to their children.

The shameful acts of our government in regards to children and families will earn them an enviable spot in history, alongside the Holocaust and The Black Plague.
##

MORE ON BONUSGATE

This latest in a series of Harrisburg Scandals: A young Greene County Woman traded sex for a job in Harrisburg. However her intentions were at the start, the finish was her name in the investigation of wrongdoings in Harrisburg. However, do not put all the blame on her. A man is involved, and quite possibly this man's wife for she too is named in this investigation and how can she not have some idea of what was going on?

Maybe you should ask, "Do I want my daughter taken advantage of and her life ruined by a man such as the one who involved this Greene County woman in not-so-moral conduct and activities?" If this is ok with anyone reading this, vote them all back in the next time. Just vote them all back in for what they do just does not matter as long as money gets to Greene County in one way or another!

One news article hinted that there might be a type of "throw the bums out" this November. Maybe yes, maybe no. July to November...people will forget! July to November...someone might promise tax relief or fuel assistance or something else.

A young woman's life might be now ruined...disgraceful. Just disgraceful! I quote no one. I make no accusations. All I do is read the news articles and from there I can check the somewhat official records of the investigation. And I would never tell anyone whom to vote for! But I do not wish to see this happen again. I do not wish to see lives ruined and taxpayers' money wasted. And I will do the only thing I can do, other than write my 2 cents worth, to see this does not happen again....I can, I will, vote! The Vote is important, more important than most people realize. Whether you feel you have a choice or not, vote!
Without the Vote, no one really listens to what the people say. Also, write a letter or send an e-mail. Ask questions!Request a reply to your question. Inform yourself.

To anyone with children, it may not be a daughter... but it could be a granddaughter, or G granddaughter or GG or GGG or GGGG granddaughter! What you do now, what we do now, may stop this from happening in the future. Someone may think twice about ruining a young woman's life by taking advantage of her should this be the case now. And maybe not! There are those with no morals at all.

But if we do not try, do not complain much if it happens close to home. By this Greene Scream, I am trying to make a difference. Ask questions before the vote. Question them before you vote and question those you voted for.


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[POSTED JULY 12, 2008]


TRUTH IS GREENESPEAK'S GOAL

GreeneSpeak is one small newspaper with one large goal: TRUTH!
If you want fluff and butter, go read the other papers. But if you want TRUTH, read the GreeneSpeak!
I would like to thank Cindy for her tireless efforts to shine the beacon of TRUTH into the pit of venomous lies that is so culturally ingrained in Greene County politics.

##

REGARDING ANGELA...

She was the Rices Landing royalty!
All roads of corruption lead to and from Rices Landing and Greene County!

##

WHAT WAS DEWEESE DOING ALL THIS TIME?

Is state Rep. DeWeese's head so big (evidence of such may be viewed at the "maybe" Wal-Mart groundbreaking where he was the only one not wearing the "customary" safety hard hat)...where was I? Oh, is DeWeese's head so big and crowded with state related matters that he "did not know" that his underlings were "ripping off" Pennsylvania and its taxpaying citizens? What is he really doing in Harrisburg that he is so completely unaware of what all those working for him have allegedly done?

If he is not paying attention to his "righthand" people, then what are his "left hand" people doing? And just what is DeWeese doing? How much of that cash was funneled into Greene County?

##
[EDITOR'S NOTE: This one came in awhile back and it slipped by me. Apologies!]
Tonight was the last night of what appeared to be a great week for children. It had everything: singing, flashing lights, loudspeakers, videos. All done locally by the hardest working congregation I have ever seen. The pastor and his wife appeared to have spearheaded what I thought must be some nationally produced program.

Central Greene School District appears the only sponsor other than Greene Community Church. Central Greene School District provided the elementary school. For five evenings children where taught within Central Greene Elementary School.

Greene Community Church is a Southern Baptist Church. The Southern Baptist appears to take the Bible quit literally thereby excluding evolution as a possibility. For five evening in Central Greene Elementary School the Greene Community Church taught children that evolution was a science of mistakes and that children are not mistakes nor are they related to monkeys.

While I encourage everyone to believe in what ever they want to believe; keep in mind just because I believe the world is flat does not make it so. I have a legal right to found a church based on the fact that the world is flat. I then can rent say the old state store that would be legal too.

Every church has vacation bible school so that must be legal. The crime in a world that has a separation of church and state as a founding principle does not allow me to have my vacation bible study on property funded by the local, state and federal governments. By holding such an event on very public land, namely a school, you imply approval of and possibly even credibility to what is being taught.

Darwin specifically and evolution theory generally does not say that we evolved by a series of accidents. Why is survival of the fittest not part of God’s plan? Those creatures best suited to the local environment survive to procreate. Suffering is continually minimized; they die off rather then keep producing more of the same.

The issue is not where or not to believe in evolution, it is a basic scientific fact whose counter arguments were banished to the backwoods in 1925 Scope’s Monkey Trial. The crisis issue is that the vacation bible study was held at a public school. Those responsible would be the school board that did not show due diligence in their screening process.

The school board paid no attention to the group organizing this week long event. “They wanted to use the school and I didn’t have anything else going on so what the heck”, stated Harvey the janitor who runs the district during summer vacation.

The school board defensively countered with the fact that Harvey graduated from Central Greene High School and thus was schooled in the Constitution. I have decided to place the ultimate blame on the school board because Harvey is union and those untouchable on this issue.

As a community we have already shot ourselves in both feet by offering tax breaks to multi-billion-dollar-generating-annually-corporation to open a box in a county surrounded by boxes and with only 40,000 possible customers. Why allow further ridicule by violating a basic tenant of the Constitution while giving a backhanded approval to what is being taught in our schools.

Robert Cowan, Waynesburg

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I have not checked on this, but I suspect this church paid to rent the school. I know other religious groups and performers - like everybody's buddy, Billy Wayne - have paid or gotten donations to use the district's building. While I hear what Cowan is saying in his letter, I don't think it's illegal or necessarily wrong to do this. Districts need to find ways to bring in more money and renting their facilities is one way they do this. Having said that, this would mean that ANY religion can take advantage of this opportunity, including Jews, Muslims, Unification Church, whatever. I will be seeing some folks from the district soon. I'll try to remember to ask about this VBS to see if they did, in fact, rent the school. If the facility was DONATED, then I think there is a problem. Stay tuned....]

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POSTED JULY 11, 2008
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FREE POOL PASSES WELCOME AS SMALL 'THANK YOU' TO VETS

With morning coffee I read the Greene County news in an out of county newspaper and learned that free pool passes will be available to active duty military, their spouses and children. Just one way of thanking them for their service. And thanks to the Greene County Commissioners for thinking of them too.

I also learned that the non-elected Chief Clerk is doing the work of an elected county official...did I read that right?

Wal-Mart? What is happening with Wal-Mart? Hurry up and build it and open it for us rural country folks who need religious books and guns (and ammo) and cheap, no no, inexpensive food. Wait...let's think about this! Gas at $4 a gallon. A Wal-Mart every 30 miles or so....

Citizen control! Travel control. Buying control. And if there is power outage or other type of disruption...no shopping today! 35 million dollars for Murtha Drive and Wal-Mart. THIRTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS!

Of the four U.S. Soldiers listed as MIA, POW, known captured in the War in Iraq, three have been found dead. 35 million dollars so a U.S. Congressman could get his name on that street sign...and three U.S. soldiers, once missing, are now found dead. One to go! Does Washington care? Maybe if a member of Congress could get her or his name on the side of a rescue helicopter? Maybe that is part of the answer!

And I don't understand, I just don't understand about the county paying for cemetery maintenance. All over the county I see broken grave markers, fallen over grave markers, sinkholes at some graves, grave markers laying on the ground, neglected graves, neglected graveyards of every size! ... and there is county (taxpayer) money available for cemetery maintenance? Oh, dah, I just did not know!

Why can't county jail prisoners help clean up the neglected cemeteries, of all size, in Greene County? Taxpayer money, is it not, or maybe state (taxpayer money), or could it be federal (taxpayer) money? I doubt money for the Greene County Jail/Prison System is being donated by communist China! Or communist Cuba! Or Iraq or Afghanistan!!

4,000 plus U.S. servicewomen and servicemen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those who serve know the risk and the danger and the reasons they serve. We cannot and must not second guess them. They serve because they want to. A large number recently extended their service, while in Iraq.

No, it is not for us to second guess why women and men join, and re-up, but it is for us to support them. I recall, or at least I think I have the numbers fairly right, in Vietnam, 60,000 fled to Canada? While almost 60,000 lost their lives in Vietnam or as a result of injuries from Vietnam? And let us not forget about those wounded and otherwise injured. Second guess those who fled to Canada? Nope, not me. Don't really want to think about them, but it is hard to ignore them when thinking about those who did serve the U.S. and did go to Vietnam.

Things are different now...no draft...a volunteer military. Men and women putting everything on hold to serve their country, the United States. In Vietnam, the average age was 19. What is the age range now, and the average age now, for those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Free pool passes are so very little for those who give so very much in defense of the United States. Remember the oath those in the military have taken...to defend the United States. The soldier in the field does not make nor dictate policy.

Support the troops with an hello, or a handshake, or a smile, any way you can....

The other day while in "another" Wal-Mart, I followed into the store a man dressed in military cammies. As we both entered the store I noticed an older man sitting on the bench resting his chin on his cane. The man was a WWII Veteran as his ball cap said.

In just a few seconds, today's soldier was talking to the WWII Vet and shook his hand and thanked him for his service. Before the younger soldier could leave, I thanked him for his service and then turned to the seasoned veteran and thanked him for his service. Names? "I don't need no names" to say "Thank you."

And just the other day, while going into the post office, a woman got out of her car and thanked me for my service. I do not think I was able to get a whole word out of my mouth. I know she noticed my POW-MIA shirt but it is not for me I wear it. It is for those still serving their country, American POW's and MIA's. Not a protest, just support!


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July 7, 2008
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'RIPPED OFF' VETERAN DISAPPOINTED ABOUT FIREWORKS

My family and myself set off to enjoy the festivities at the Greene County Fairgrounds, at 22:00 on July 04-2008. Upon our arrival we were informed by a toothless "Greene County Towney" that the fireworks were canceled.

I was appalled.

I had a heck of a time just finding out if there were any Fourth of July fireworks in the area, trying to stay close and give some of our monies to the County of Greene instead of West Virginia (where we will go next year).

I called around to the Carmichaels Borough Police Dept. and the Cumberland Township PD for information, but no information there! Heck, I even called the non-emergency line of Greene County Control for information.

Guess What? No information there (shocker).

Now the fireworks were being displayed in other Ares as we were driving home, but who knew? This is the crappiest way to treat veterans and their families: Promise something and cancel and not even inform the public.

Go, County Commissioners! Way to DROP the ball on this one. Poor planning once again.

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And another from the same reader...

WHY PAY TAXES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY IN GREENE COUNTY?

Taxes! Why pay them anymore or at least the Public Safety part.

Around here the police go home a 22:00 every night. And if there is a real emergency (God forbid), and you call the State Police you might want to call ahead about 30 to 45 minutes prior to the emergent event in your life.

Greene County poor planning once again! What to do?

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