Letter to the Editor: I’m aboard ‘Trump train’ because he’ll shake up Washington

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Happy birthday to William Thomas Daniel Wisneski!

There are many well-qualified people in the United States who do not get recognized the way they should. Former state Rep. Thomas M. Tigue&#8217;s contributions have been well-documented in Greater Pittston, but his record of accomplishments needs to be nationally disseminated.If anyone deserves a Point of Light award, which is perhaps the finest national system of recognition, it is Tom Tigue.Tom was a humanist, a person who created service-learning as a way of life, a military hero as a Marine Corps officer, an elected official who constantly gave of himself on behalf of many citizens and public, private and nonprofit organizations, and someone who established a theory of commitment and achievement way beyond the norm.I had the privilege of working closely with him in several ways. As executive director of the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, I worked with him on projects, grant applications, topical discussions and other ways that resulted in his providing advice, guidance and support for state funding of programs and projects that became vital to the interests of so many people, municipalities and other organizations. I remember the astonishing knowledge and thought processes that he had regarding many issues that proved so significant to the future of this region. He would always reach out for ways that a project could be important to a much larger geographic area than the particular part of the community that was impacted. His vision was connected to the future, always thinking and acting upon ideas and topics that clearly had an important means for the larger community.A second way that our paths connected was through the Pittston Memorial Library. When we moved from Dallas and the Back Mountain to Pittston, the library became a focal point for my wife and me. I became associated with the library and its capital campaign for expanding the facility and literally doubling the library in size. Tom was co-chair of the campaign, always working very hard to find new resources, make appropriate contacts, calling or writing donors and taking every step possible with his co-chair, Pat Solano, to reach the financial goal. We saw the results of the project in August 2015 when more than 160 people gathered to dedicate this achievement. It is very clear that this project could not have been implemented without the driving force of Tom Tigue.Tom will be missed, not only by his family, but by a host of other citizens and community leaders.All too often, we forget over the years who was responsible for good events and activities that become assets to the community, county, state and nation. Tom should never be forgotten.I salute a person who constantly gave of himself for the community at large. Let us remember Tom for all of the astonishing benefits that he provided throughout a giving career that meant so much to so many.Howard J. GrossmanFundraising directorPittston Memorial Library

Letter to the Editor: The late Tom Tigue’s accomplishments made lasting impact on region