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U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., visits Smethport during town meeting
By FRAN De LANCEY
Era Correspondent
delancey401@yahoo.com
SMETHPORT — U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., fielded numerous questions at a town meeting Tuesday about the effects of oil and gas drilling on the Allegheny National Forest.
Those posing the questions were concerned about the drilling that they said was having detrimental effects on recreational activities on the forest. Another man mentioned the historic use of the forest and noted the threat to a cemetery close to it. Still another individual pointed to the economic impact that the reduced deer herd is having on local merchants who for years in the past have counted on sales from hunters just before the holiday season.
“Please work with Sen. Bob Casey on the slaughter of the deer herd,” the man requested.
One man who had driven three hours from the Johnstown area to attend the town meeting said that over the years he has “watched the deterioration of the Allegheny National Forest with the oil and gas drilling. Why can’t we have our forest back?” he asked.
One citizen requested the senator observe the impact that drilling is having on the forest as he drives to Warren.
This man said that it is important not to drill in Rimrock because it’s too close to the reservoir.
Bill Belitskus of “The Friends of Rimrock” presented Specter with a petition containing 1,800 signatures of people who want to protect that area from oil and gas drilling. Belitskus asked Specter to work closely with Casey, a Democrat, in an effort to save the forest for recreational purposes.
It was noted during the discussion of this topic that in a 1 1/2-square-mile area there are 150 wells.
“I don’t believe we have to have a well every 400 feet,” said the man who quoted this statistic.
Specter asked one questioner to provide additional details about his ideas for the forest to his office, and said that he would be glad to consider them.
One of the more than 20 questions that Specter took during the meeting, which has become an annual event, concerned Congress’ response to cancer, AIDS and epidemics.
According to Specter, Congress has appropriated “substantial funding” in fighting these public health problems. Specter said that a subcommittee of which he was a member voted for “substantial funding” for the National Institutes of Health to conduct cancer research.
“I also have worked with Sen. Tom Harkin, a Democrat from Iowa, on funding cancer research at the National Cancer Institute,” Specter said.
Specter was also quizzed about the problem of illegal immigration.
“We have to secure the borders and we have authorized the construction of a 700-mile border fence along the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Specter. “We need a comprehensive immigration package, which we tried to do in 2006 and 2007. We’re aware of the problem and have made significant strides, but there is still a lot to do.”
“We have heard a lot about tax cuts, but what about cutting spending by the federal government?” asked Bill Lord.
Specter said he favors a Constitutional amendment that would require a balanced budget and has voted three times for this, which would show fiscal control. “Also, a line item veto would permit the president to cut such pork as ‘The Bridge to Nowhere,’” he added.
When asked about tax reform, Specter said he favors a flat tax, which would be simpler than the current complicated system, and yet would encourage economic growth.
“The present system is too complex and is a failure,” Specter said. “I have been a major advocate of the flat tax. The returns could be made on postcard-sized forms.”
One return would be required for earned income and another for capital and business incomes.
A lady in the audience asked Specter go back to Washington with the message that Americans have lost their respect and confidence in government and not just in the last eight years.
“It appears the two parties are not working together,” she said, “and there needs to be compromise and working together. It will take a lot to rebuild the public’s confidence.”
Specter said he agreed with that assessment, noting that polls show the public’s favorable view of Congress now stands at nine percent. “I am aware of the public’s feeling and will pass that word back to Washington.”
Several times during the meeting, Specter referred to his efforts to reach across the aisle to work with Democrats.
In the issue of small rural victims resource centers facing an 18 percent cut in funding, Specter said the federal government has created a fund that is paid for by perpetrators, but the cap has not been raised.
“Possibly, when the political bickering is over, Congress can be more productive.”
Drug Free Community grants should also be continued.
“There not where I’d like them to be, but they will be maintained,” Specter said. “The latest data show that drugs and alcohol are involved in 70-80 percent of arrests in the criminal system.”
On the issue of the loss of American jobs due to outsourcing, Specter called it “an enormous problem,” especially in China, where the government subsidizes the steel industry. “America can compete with the Chinese worker, but not the government. People should buy American products.”
The senator said that he voted for the recent $770 billion bailout bill, although he didn’t like it. “There was no alternative,” he noted.
Specter added that Wall Street had been “up to strange practices” and no one could understand the credit swaps that amounted to $621 trillion. Criminal prosecutions could follow, according to Specter.
In his opening remarks to the more than 90 people in the audience, Specter said that since the Senate is in recess, he has the opportunity to travel around the state to know what’s on the voters’ minds. “The public’s temperature is 212 degrees Fahrenheit,” he quipped.
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