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Letters to the Editor

War is at home instead of abroad

Remember the 1997 film, “Wag the Dog?” Many trends from the 1990s are in style and the movie has become real life. Only the war is at home instead of abroad. First there are the problems to distract from. People realize the multi-trillion debt-inflating cruelty of the Big Beautiful Bill, calling Senators to defeat it. President Donald Trump and his billionaire buddy, Elon, broke up. Courts and voters recognize the damage caused by disorganized tariffs, ICE, funding cuts and firings. Then, as support drops, ICE raids have dramatically increased in Los Angeles and other cities. ...

Intimidation felt at No Kings march

I was at the No Kings March on Saturday and in Monday’s paper they had an article about the march and mentioned a man carrying an AR15 Rifle. He said it was for protection in case something happened. I also witnessed five men lined up in front of a hardware store on the walk holding AR15 rifles. I think they were there to intimidate us. Also, can you believe that it wasn’t an illegal immigrant that shot and killed a senator and her husband and wounded another senator and his wife? Instead, it was an American-born citizen. I see they caught him so if he is convicted I wonder if ...

School districts need to focus on education

In a recent Mirror political cartoon, one gentleman lamented that the teacher shortage wouldn’t be happening if we valued teachers more. His companion retorted that there wouldn’t be a shortage if we valued education more. Such words ring loud and clear today. From the actions of the Trump administration’s cuts in education services and the elimination of the Education Department, our federal leaders are demonstrating the lack of value they place on education. They care less about educating our youth than they do on making tax cuts. Locally, our school boards have acted ...

Vehicle noise pollution needs to be addressed

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the increasing levels of noise pollution caused by motor vehicles in our community. It seems that the legally allowable sound decibels emitted from vehicles are being consistently ignored, leading to a disruptive and uncomfortable living environment for residents. It is an indisputable fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are often installed specifically to alter and increase the sound of vehicles. This disregard for noise regulations not only infringes upon our peace but also poses significant health risks. Prolonged exposure to ...

Urban development can be common sense

The recent column by Betsy McCaughey underscores a well-founded need for towns and cities around the country to take sensible approaches to urban development. McCaughey argues that the “lifestyle” of small-town America is under attack, a lifestyle she argues is based on living in single-family homes. But I must ask: What lifestyle and to what extent is this lifestyle homogeneous across the country? Small towns vary dramatically, but she egregiously believes that it is activists and those who wish to turn single-use zoned cities and towns from Norman Rockwell-esque paradises ...

Could paper mill site be used for prison?

Two months ago, a new County Prison site was in the Mirror and on TV only to be disqualified. Lately, there has been no news about a site selection. Is this still news or is it now in the background? Roaring Spring has a blighted paper mill in the process of being demolished…a perfect site for a prison? It will take a year or two to develop, present, approve, permit and allow construction for a new prison, just when the paper mill site is cleared; 350 acres are available for the initial build, many in the pristine former woodyard with room for expansion, having direct access to Route ...