Editor, The News:

I am writing in response to the letter published Tuesday regarding my good friend, the Rev. William Schafer.

The author of that letter clearly does not know Schafer.

Schafer is a long-time servant and leader in this community. The countless hours of service, and lives improved, in our city due to Schafer would take far too much space to do justice to in this brief letter.

In short, he is a beloved pastor, a respected businessman and the chairman of the Lawrence County Republican Party.

Indeed, when the late chairman Norm DiGidio stepped down, he, along with Anthony Cioffi and Frank Bonfield, asked Schafer to be the new chairman. Schafer was elected with a strong majority.

He has taken that leadership position with energy, enthusiasm and dignity, as always, with the goal of improving our community. His chairmanship has, and will continue, to result in positives for the entire community — Schafer’s close friendship with Tom Corbett, to give just one example, would only benefit New Castle with the election of Corbett as governor and Schafer to the council.

Indeed, Corbett’s recent visit to New Castle, on Schafer’s invitation, has already garnered our town much-needed positive media attention.

While others only talk about revitalizing our communities, Schafer has actually done it through his co-founding of Habitat for Humanity in our city. His work was so successful that he was elected president of the Builders Association.

Yes, Schafer has put feet to his words, he has walked the talk. He has been a blessing to countless families in New Castle, including my own. I want a man who has deep roots here and who has served my community honorably, to be on city council.

Schafer is a man whom I am honored to call my friend.

Mary Ann Kushner

New Castle