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Community lauded for job well done

Letters to the Editor

As many other train lovers did, my husband and I traveled to Altoona Thursday, July 9, to see the Big Boy locomotive; truly an impressive sight, along with many other beautiful, vintage trains. We had a most enjoyable day, but what helped to make it enjoyable was the great job done by the organizers and volunteers at the event. From the parking at the mall to the bus transportation to the train area, everything ran quickly and smoothly. There were ample attendants in the event area and multiple sites with tubs of complimentary water bottles on ice. All the volunteers we spoke with were ...

Congratulations on a job well done

Letters to the Editor

We need to congratulate the City of Altoona, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific for an excellent four day event. From 5:15 p.m. July 8 to 10 a.m. July 11, the Big Boy event was tremendous. In April when it was announced, a friend said to me “Altoona can’t handle this.” Was he wrong. What a great four day party! There are so many organizations that need to be applauded for a job well done. Welcoming 100,000 people to an outdoor event in the heat of summer and keeping them safe is no easy task and you did it. From all of us train buffs who grew up with trains in our backyards ...

Thanks given for Vietnam wall work

Letters to the Editor

I would like to thank Ken Fedora of the Central Pa National Guard and Veterans Association for refurbishing the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Van Zandt Medical Center. (Altoona Mirror of June 27). C. Arnold McClure Shirleysburg, Huntington County Vietnam veteran, 1967-68

Bands, ASO concert: Oh, what a night

Opinion

For weeks, ads were on TV and social and print media touting the free joint appearance by members of the combined Altoona and Hollidaysburg community bands and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra at PNG Field on Saturday, June 20. But as the time drew nearer and nearer, so did black rain clouds. We arrived at the ballpark along with others looking forward to the musical evening. All the while we were watching the dark clouds approaching from the north. Just a passing cloud or two, we hoped. No, they stalled right over PNG Field. The idea was that the community bands would play behind ...

Questions abound on state budget

Editorials

What if, in the weeks leading up to April 15, Pennsylvania taxpayers adopted the attitude that they would settle their state tax obligation whenever they got around to it, whether that was before, on or after the tax-filing deadline? On or before, no problem. However, what if the bulk of taxpayers decided that the deadline wasn’t really important — that it was just a date — and that they would complete their tax filing — whenever? Again, no problem. There wouldn’t be any financial penalty for missing the deadline, including no interest penalty for any money owed. The ...

Same standards apply to all political sides

Letters to the Editor

Americans should be deeply concerned when any president appears to profit personally from holding the nation’s highest office. Reports that President Donald Trump and his business interests have accumulated billions of dollars in wealth while he serves as president raises serious ethical and constitutional questions that deserve public scrutiny. The Framers included the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution for a reason: to prevent presidents from accepting financial benefits that could influence — or appear to influence — their decisions. These protections were intended to ...