Note from the chair, June 2020

 

A letter from Leon Reed, new DFA chair:

I’m so pleased to accept the chair of this important and dynamic group; following such leaders as Elaine Jones and Will Lane will be a big challenge. I have some ideas of how DFA can evolve and grow, but I’m fully mindful of the many important things DFA already does. 

One important contribution DFA makes is through the editorial pages of the Gettysburg Times. 

DFA’s members and guest writers have prepared a continuing series of important and thought-provoking editorials on important issues such as healthcare, education, and political reform. These columns have discussed a wide range of issues, presenting facts and offering expert opinion on a non-partisan basis.

These columns have provided a recent outlet for the commentary and opinions of 16 DFA members and guest writers: Sandy Busche, Kathy Ciolino, Jeff Colvin, Dennis Cope, Wesley Doll, Jeanne Duffy, Katy Geibenhain, William Gilmartin, Elaine Jones, Will Lane, R.B. Lasco, Lois Lembo, Dwight Michael, Leon Reed, Baird Tipson, and Jenine Weaver

Healthcare frequently addressed the topics of prescription drug affordability and medical billing. Other op-eds discussed the national healthcare debate and, more recently, how people can retain their health insurance during the pandemic. Titles include:

  • Healthcare options for jobless and uninsured

  • 10 million jobs lost, health insurance as well?

  • New Rx Drug Affordability Board in PA

  • Why Can’t Congress End Surprise Medical Billing?

  • A vision for healthcare reform in PA

  • Reality check

  • Beyond one city, beyond one drug

  • The healthcare debate: Be full of fear, friend

  • Federal lawsuit: Generic Drug Price fixing!

  • Why do prescription drugs cost so much? 

The Education task force presented a series of columns on cyber charter schools and school property taxes. They also prepared a column celebrating the opening of the Adams County Technical Institute and hosted a column by Upper Adams superintendent Wesley Doll on the challenges of operating a school district during the pandemic. Examples:

  • Operating a school district and providing remote learning during COVID-19

  • College is Great, but …

  • School property taxes

  • Worried about school taxes? Follow the money!

  • Cyber charter schools: Are local alternatives a better choice?

  • Enough is enough

Government accountability task force addressed two national issues: important articles by longtime nuclear scientist Jeff Colvin on the danger of stepping away from arms control agreements and the dangers of a renewed arms race and a rebuttal by Bill Gilmartin of the frequently expressed view that “now we’re in a real constitutional crisis.” Closer to home, we addressed the importance of the census, poverty in Adams County, the recovery from the Corona virus, and initiatives to bridge the political divides between blue and red and urban and rural. Examples:

  •  #Adams County Counts

  • Bridging the Blue-Red, Urban Rural Divide

  • Heading Toward a New Nuclear Arms Race

  • The Invisible Families of Adams County

  • Poverty in Adams County

  • A constitutional what?

 One of my missions is to recruit more people to give voice to their opinions, whether through op-eds, letters to the editor, blog posts, or e mails to our elected officials. Anyone who has doubts about whether this is for them, I’d be glad to walk you through the process and help form your ideas.

 

Leon Reed