Yes, it may be true that the small borough of Harmony has not been crippled by the Paragon Trade Brands - Tyco International Ltd. - plant closing.

But let us talk about the 260 or more employees who have been negatively impacted by the plant closing. Actually, the figure is more like 400-plus employees. Paragon had more than 400 employees when it was operating 10 machines at peak times.

Tycobusiness practices brought the employment picture down to the 260 figure. We also must consider the loss of business to MHF trucking and AVI services, etc., due to Tyco's actions.

I have written position papers in the past year that address some of the problems created by Tyco'sactions, but have gotten no response from politicians, news media types, etc. I am assuming that the little people are of no interest because they don't have the economic influence to control any aspect of our great nation.

Here's something you could do for the employees, especially those over 55 who will never regain their employment prosperity again, thanks to Tyco. Survey these folks and ask them if they have been crippled by the plant closings in Harmony and East Butler.

Yes, some of the workers have found decent-paying jobs and others are in training, hoping to find good employment. But most, especially the older folks, have not and will not acquire the same level of employment, pay and benefits they had with Paragon.