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Letters to the Editor

Policies need thoughtful attention

Thank you to the Altoona Mirror for covering the recent local demonstration in “Altoona joins in national protest.” I was glad to see the story published, but I must admit some disappointment that this important act of civic engagement took second billing to a rainy first day of trout season. While both stories speak to different aspects of our community, the former represents voices responding to significant changes that impact lives across Pennsylvania. I attended the gathering and was heartened by the number of neighbors who showed up to express concern over policies ...

Aigner has experience for judicial post

Why Paula Aigner for judge? It really boils down to experience. With 21 years as a magistrate, Paula has developed the ability to apply law to the intricacies of human nature. It’s her compassion to evaluate the multi sides of an issue as it blends with the passions we live with as ordinary people. Paula has demonstrated her talent to separate politics from her judgment and reflect the human side in her decisions. Yes, judgment is an experienced talent which can only be derived by actual courtroom interactions. Paula has demonstrated and will continue to place the highest value to ...

Praise for AASD’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

I can only say one thing -— great, marvelous, fantastic, oops, that’s three isn’t it? Well, I could put a lot more on the end of that list, but I won’t. By now you’re probably wondering what the heck I’m so excited about. My wife and I went to see “The Little Mermaid” put on by the students at Altoona High School. Their performance was beyond belief. I felt like I was watching a play on the Mishler stage by adult actors/actresses rather than mostly 12-year-old students. If you didn’t see it, you missed something special. From what I understand, the students did it ...

Schmitt will do the right thing as judge

I am writing this letter in support of Lou Schmitt to be the next judge of the Blair County Court of Common Pleas. Lou and I have known each other for over 45 years. First as competitors in junior high basketball, then as teammates and classmates at AAHS. Lou is a homegrown, lifelong resident of Blair County. He grew up in Altoona on Dutch Hill and after graduating from AAHS, he graduated from Saint Francis University and then University of New Hampshire School of Law. He worked his way through law school by driving a taxi. He came back to Altoona after law school to raise his family ...

Rule of law, balance of power need upheld

More news of government “cost cutting” and other actions arrives daily. Cuts are made without regard to impact. I support stewardship of taxpayer money and holding my government responsible for eliminating waste. But any farmer knows that healthy plants need careful pruning, not “chainsaw” tactics. Dismissing veterans from civil service jobs, curtailing veterans’ services, eliminating Veterans’ Affairs offices, are dishonorable. Indiscriminately cutting employees from the Department of Education, or eliminating that department entirely, does not serve quality ...

Tariffs have negative effect on economy

President Donald Trump states he will place high new taxes on trade, equaling 10-20% tariffs on all imported goods, and up to a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, plus a 25% to 100% on Mexican goods. A dozen or more estimates by economists on Trump’s tariff policy show they will have a harmful effect on the American economy. The standard findings among economists find that tariffs will have a negative effect on the American economy, leading to a lower standard of living for most Americans. Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods at the border when businesses purchase goods from foreign ...