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Letters to the Editor

Arborists inspecting Hollidaysburg trees

As a member of the Hollidaysburg Shade Tree Commission, I would like to tell you about a new program the Hollidaysburg Borough has received. Over the next few weeks, certified arborists from the Davey Resource Group will be conducting a comprehensive assessment of all street and park trees throughout the borough. These assessments are solely to locate, identify and catalog all of the public-access trees in Hollidaysburg. You may see arborists working in your neighborhood or near your property. We kindly ask borough residents for their cooperation and courtesy as the arborists carry out ...

Constitutional rights worth peaceful protests

People my age remember what our parents fought against during World War II. The public knew about the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany and his steps in taking over that country. Day-by-day, he had blocked all opposition to his activities by controlling the media and outlawing all public gatherings. He declared citizens of specific nationalities as social problems. It soon became impossible to stop any of his illegal actions, no matter how unreasonable they became. Sound familiar? It should, since our president is copying that same procedure. The history of WWII should never be ...

Trump’s big beautiful bill isn’t so great

President Donald Trump’s antipathy toward working class Americans has never been more evident or pronounced. His big, beautiful bill will add $4 trillion to the national debt, while at the same time, boot untold millions from Medicaid and SNAP benefits. It has been estimated by the office of budget and management that there will be significant fallout resulting in the closing of rural hospitals and health care providers. Trump touts this bill as a populist movement when, in fact, it is at this time 25% underwater with voters. Tax breaks are as follows: 60% of tax cuts will go to ...

Critical legislation would aid residents

Many of our state residents live in manufactured home communities where they own their home but not the land. The landlords of these properties are not restricted by law on what rent they assess for those. These properties have become cash cows for private equity firms. The Coalition for Manufactured Home Communities of PA was formed with the purpose to secure legislation that ensures any land rent increases be tied to the consumer price index instead of being unlimited. Many communities pay more than $700 to $1,100 per month and it increases every year. Moving these homes is not ...

First Amendment rights offer hope

I was diagnosed with cancer during Donald Trump’s first term; I was 35. I spent six months navigating uncertainty, dread and relentless physical pain — chemotherapy, needles, exhaustion that words can’t capture. While I sat in that infusion chair for eight hours a day, five days a week, two weeks at a time, guess who was always on the screens that weren’t monitoring my vitals? Donald Trump. During the worst chapter of my life, there he was. I never liked him. As a child, I remember laughing with my dad at his ridiculous hair on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” I always ...

Proposed ordinance draws concern

It is with some urgency that I write this alert for the citizens of Altoona. At a recent city council work session, our current city manager introduced a proposed ordinance at the work session. This new proposal would reduce city examining and permitting for electrical and plumbing within the city limits. Under the current system that we have now, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been put into the city coffers through the use of permits and licenses. When you call for a licensed and insured electrician or plumber, you can rest assured you are getting an individual that knows ...