I recently read Clifford A. Rieders’ opinion in the Sun-Gazette and in my opinion, Mr. Nichols got the best deal he could get, even though it may not seem right to some. Mr. Nichols was out-numbered and he was not going to win. He might have entertained the thought of taking “everyone” down with him which would be justified, but I assume that was not an option with “everyone”. Even if Mr. Nichols tried, he not only would have still lost but most likely he would have faced an even worse penalty and perhaps total destruction of his life. “Everyone” was not kidding. So we do know something about the other side and as ugly as this is, there was only one person who would even remotely be held accountable. I doubt if Mr. Nichols could even single-handedly do this and “everyone” can claim they knew nothing about this but I have a hard time believing that “everyone” was so out of touch that they didn’t see this. “Everyone” was saved at the expense and hardship of one person and unfortunately, right or wrong, this is how it works and it’s just business. I hope that somewhere deep down “everyone” would have a little ray of conscience peek through but I doubt it. The City of Williamsport has hopefully learned a very valuable $1,483,707 lesson and if this happens again, nip it in the bud.

I see perhaps another large expense in the future and that is the affordable 24-7 fire services compact with South Williamsport. I hope I am wrong but how can this not result in large overtime expenses and even the need to hire more fire fighters. And the worst fear is that the City of Williamsport will not have the firefighters they need to service the City of Williamsport and more services will be required when the new ball park is finished. This will be the City of Williamsport’s problem but thank goodness South Williamsport will have 24-7 fire protection that the City of Williamsport taxpayers are paying for.

SANDRA RHONE

Williamsport

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