| abstract
| - I am writing to demand the immediate termination of J.D. Prose as a Times reporter. Over the past weeks, his unprofessional bias and incomplete reporting has tarnished the image of this newspaper. Prose recently suggested that grief counseling sessions with Rochester Borough Manager Ed Piroli and state Sen. Gerald LaValle were taking place following Mike Veon's loss. By failing to provide the public with locations, times and dates for these sessions, he has caused psychological trauma for people such as Rochester's Superintendent C. Dean Galitsis and teacher Bob Budacki as is evidence by their recent letters. Prose also drew an unsupported parallel between Rochester area and Baghdad area schools. Such a statement should have never been printed without telling readers about Rochester Area School Board's abnormally long executive sessions and other questionable practices that merit their close journalistic scrutiny. Finally, Prose's blasphemous comment that, "Veon regularly walked across the Beaver River to heal the sick, comfort the dying and turn muddy swamps into $1 million artificial turf fields," was totally uncalled for, however accurate. Prose should have focused his attention on how the $1 million could be used to consolidate Rochester, Freedom and New Brighton school districts. The cost savings of eliminating two superintendents' salaries would go a long way in benefiting the educational needs of children in those districts. If it is not clear by now that this man must be stopped, think about what we can expect from him if left unchecked: proof that the [[Beaver Initiative for Growth]] is fueled by nepotism; reminders that Gerald LaValle also needs to go; reports on how state Department of Community and Economic Development "walking around monies" are used by politicians to gain favors; and, God forbid, that the people of Beaver County have a right to know the truth. Robert DeMarco, Aliquippa
|