Press & Sun Letters: Speaker Johnson in town, tiny homes and a great performance

Rule of law? Let's make sure it applies to all

When Speaker Mike Johnson visited Binghamton recently along with House member Marc Molinaro and met with law enforcement, he said "The rule of law is one of the foundations of America, and it is being undermined." That's just lip service; it means little when Johnson and the others in the Trump Republican Party are bowing to the rule of Trump.

It's more than Jan. 6; Trump undermines laws and norms on a daily basis. Trump and his followers flout the idea that we are a nation under the Constitution and that the laws apply to everyone. Mr. Johnson should do more to show respect to the country he serves rather than letting a law-breaker direct him and his party. We need a new border law and we need a new budget, which are a minimum of what is expected of Congress right now. Instead we are faced with obstruction and a sordid lack of governance. They're daring to act this way in an election year.

Scott Lauffer

Binghamton

Read more: House Speaker Mike Johnson touts support for law enforcement in Broome County visit

Tiny homes complex is a grand idea that falls woefully short

Broome County Executive Jason Garners plan for a veterans complex falls flatter then a pancake. There are over 10,000 veterans residing in Broome County. Most are not in need of housing. However hundreds, if not more, desperately require a place they can call home.

The proposed tiny home concept is a superb idea, and these homes are structures a veteran, particularly a disabled veteran, can hang a “Home Sweet Home” sign within. However, five singular tiny homes, and five double tiny homes, will offer 15 disabled veterans housing. Fifteen! Apparently any criteria has not been finalized yet regarding who will be able to apply. I would be thrilled to submit my application for a single-occupancy tiny home. With a 100% service-connected disability, dating back to the Vietnam Era, at 73 years of age, and within a post-pandemic recovery, I fit the criteria.

This project is akin to offering a spot of bread to a flock of seagulls. Unless Broome County is willing to truly invest in those who have served in the military, go back to the drawing board. You wish to receive the thanks of veteran? Build, build and build as many tiny homes as is possible.

Barry Transue

Binghamton

Read more: Veterans Resource Center, Tiny Homes project breaks ground in Binghamton. What to know

Thank you, Southern Tier Singers, for a wonderful performance

The Southern Tier Singers Collective, a 34-voice a cappella ensemble, recently presented an exquisite and inspiring program of late 16th and early 17th century polyphony. The first half included a dozen works by two talented musicians and nun-composers, Raphaella Aleotti and Sulpitia Cesis. The second half of the program featured the 20th century Mass in G minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

This was our first time to hear this group, founded in 2018 and led by William Culverhouse. Many of the singers are music teachers and professionals from our region and they are clearly dedicated to excellence. The blend and balance, the consistent and uniform vowel sounds, the diction and the dynamic shading from subtle to dramatic were near perfect, all enhanced by the marvelous acoustics of St. Patrick's church. It was easy to imagine oneself transported to the Italy of 450 years ago. What a treasure this group represents. If you get a chance to hear them, don't miss it.

Duane Spilde

Walton

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Weekly Press & Sun-Bulletin Letters to the Editor