Business as usual

Why are Medicare and Social Security benefits considered for budget cuts? The hard-working middle class deserves some benefits. Cut the welfare benefits for able-bodied people who can work and for the illegitimate children and parents who either refuse to marry or accept responsibility for raising the children they bring into the world.

Great job

I am calling about the Project MCA Cleanup. They did a wonderful job with cleaning up all the trees.

Good move

The policeman they have in Mount Carmel Area school now, he sounds like he is a real asset. Not only is he there to protect the people, but he is there to listen to any problems the kids have. Good move.

System failure

The justice system in this county is like an ex-wife. They get the gold mine and you get the shaft. Frog's take: It sounds like your date with Lady Justice didn't go too well.

Sick and tired

I am so sick and tired of reading Sound Off and the people putting Rabbittransit down. If you read the paper, you would know that it is not Rabbittransit, it is PennDOT that is telling them what to do. So instead, call a PennDOT office and complain.

Area tradition

Now that the holidays are over, I just want to say that the boys did a good job down at the old Picarelli's Market with the fruit baskets and biscottis. I hope they keep it up. It is nice to see that some traditions don't die. Picarelli's Market has been around since 1910. Good job, guys.

Snow job

I just talked to my borough manager about street maintenance and I just took an hour to shovel out three spots in front of my own home and property and there is nothing I can do to stop people from parking there. I am wondering if anybody has any ideas of what could be done to stop people from parking in a space that you maintained in front of your home. Frog's take: The same thing you do when there isn't snow on the ground: Nothing.

Knee jerk

I am commenting about the metal detectors at Shamokin Area High School. This is another example of the delusion and hysteria that has followed those tragic deaths of the students. Unfortunately, the cost coming out of the reserve account doesn't negate the fact that it is the taxpayers' money. Who is going to take the liability if something goes wrong and someone is left in there with a weapon?

Fantastic city

I think having the treasurer make the Shamokin account balances public with a simple statement every month would be fantastic. Taxpayers would be able to see the balance in each account and what each account is being used for, and also see where tax money is being transferred between accounts. Not letting taxpayers know the truth and not being transparent with their creative financing is just like back in 2003 to 2006. Now the city must pay back DCED $500,000.

Kelly green

I don't know what Chip Kelly can do for the Eagles offense, but imagine what he could do with 200 styles of the Eagles uniforms? Frog's take: Maybe they should change their color back to Kelly Green.

Story to tell

Here is an FYI: Have complaints about the outrageous prices Geisinger is charging? Call the Attorney General's office at 1-877-888-4877. Ask for the anti-trust department. I called them with my story and they have no problem with me giving out their number so they can hear from others.

Snowflakes

I drive through Catawissa every morning. I want to thank the borough because their snowflakes are still up and lit early in the morning, and that gives me such a pick-up.

Tadpole

Mike, you have a lovely daughter. I saw her on the Happy Birthday page on Tuesday. Frog's take: Thank you very much! She is my pride and joy, best friend and partner in crime.

Safer

Imagine if even the slaughter of 6-year-olds is not enough to make Congress act to make us all safer.

Tighten belt

Mr. Persing said in the paper that Shamokin Area has to tighten its belt for the upcoming fiscal year. What I don't understand is why you furlough 22 members and then you hire 15 of them back.

Truth-er

The president of the United States is an illegal. His father still lives in Kenya. What do you think of that? Frog's take: Not much.