Sunshine Law issue needs resolved soon

January 24, 2026

An article published in the Mirror’s Jan. 12 edition began with two paragraphs that are deserving of elaboration. First, the paragraphs in question: — “In December, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision ruled that with a majority vote, government entities could add anything to a meeting agenda without first offering public notice.” — “It’s a loophole created by what legislators say was a poorly written exception within the state’s 2021 Sunshine Act, a law intended to promote transparency in government.” Lawmakers, whether they be state or federal legislators, ...

King helped America better itself

January 19, 2026

On this day each year honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there are many people who expend too much time recalling the details of his death rather than appreciating the hard, challenging work in which he engaged in what was a very different America than today. It was an America too caught up in noticing people’s skin color, as well as other physical differences, characteristics and limitations, while failing to acknowledge that minorities were people also — people who experienced the same feelings, anxieties, pressures and desires for betterment as those who otherwise ...

Election influencing a concern

January 17, 2026

Pennsylvania’s judicial-retention balloting last year was an eye-opener, but not because of which candidates’ retention bids were successful. Rather, what was remarkable — and troubling to many people of this commonwealth — was the total amount in cash and the value of other support dumped into the campaigns on behalf of those seeking the voters’ ballot-box approval. According to a Spotlight PA article published in the Mirror’s Dec. 29 edition, at least $18.7 million was poured into the state Supreme Court election, and the Keystone State’s 2025 retention races were ...

Considering risks, police pay still low

January 15, 2026

All considered, especially that they put their lives at risk every time they report for work to protect and serve, police officers never really are compensated adequately for their work. No doubt, there are residents of Allegheny Township who believe their municipality’s police starting wage of $80,000 is grossly excessive. Some Hollidaysburg Borough residents might feel likewise about that municipality’s police starting wage of $74,000. According to a Jan. 9 Mirror article, police officers of Logan Township have an annual wage of $84,500 after three years of ...

New driving force needed on road system

January 10, 2026

The high-speed interchange project that will connect Interstates 99 and 80 northeast of State College was a long time coming — much too long, in fact. But the reality of the project finally happening now represents an initiative that would be welcome in several locations in the six-county Southern Alleghenies region, as well. Too bad the chances of any of them actually happening anytime soon are remote, if not impossible for decades or longer. For example, there’s Bedford County, where the modern, four-lane, limited-access Interstate 99 ends at Bedford instead of proceeding south ...

City right to restore blighted lots

January 7, 2026

To anyone who might be thinking that Altoona’s new blighted-property rehabilitation program is but a threat upon which the city would not follow up with substantive action, the best advice now must be “think again.” The city Redevelopment Authority’s already initiated steps against a dilapidated house in the 1800 block of Fifth Avenue is indicative of a solid commitment by the city and its agencies to make good on the program’s availability, legal options and overall promise. No matter how and when that effort ultimately concludes regarding the Fifth Avenue property, the ...