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Editorials

Recognizing the importance of Juneteenth

It is customary to publish an editorial about a holiday on the holiday itself. However, Monday’s observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day is a worthy exception, partly because of the newness of the observance and, partly, because millions of Americans still lack an understanding of the holiday’s significance. Hopefully, this weekend, many of those millions will come to appreciate what the holiday is all about and that, for many Americans, it is about more than having a day off from work or, otherwise, a break from other responsibilities or routines. For the benefit of ...

Airport plans must remain on fast track

An article in last weekend’s Mirror reported on the Altoona-Blair County Airport Authority’s June 9 discussion of possible strategies for improving and upgrading the Martinsburg area air facility. Looking ahead, the authority will have to determine what strategy will best meet the airport’s current and future needs, as well as having the greatest likelihood of receiving federal funding. While a sizable amount of federal money still is believed available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there is — and will continue to be —considerable competition for those funds, not ...

National Safety Administration needs evaluation

The nation’s top auto-safety regulator merits a good grade for its efforts on behalf of automatic emergency braking on new vehicles. However, it is too bad the same agency is so woefully slow many times in completing investigations into suspected vehicle defects that could put drivers at risk. The agency in question — the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — needs a full, comprehensive performance evaluation to address the question of why it can be so good on some fronts but so seemingly lacking or inept on others. Does the agency need leadership changes, a shuffling ...

CYF staffing needs to be reconsidered

Blair County government constantly strives to do the best job possible; county officials deserve good marks for their commitment to performing their duties correctly, always in the spirit of their constituents’ best interests. However, that does not negate those officials from being questioned, second-guessed or even criticized over their decisions, or regarding proposals they put forth for consideration. Most county residents can remember clearly the reaction that the county commissioners received when the countywide property reassessment was proposed, during the time it was ...

State should ban hand-held phones while at the wheel

The pilot program allowing the use of speed cameras in active work zones in the Philadelphia area, in effect since its approval under Act 86 of 2018, will be expiring this year unless the Pennsylvania General Assembly makes the program permanent. A Capitolwire article published in Wednesday’s Mirror reported that state Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Philadelphia, is planning legislation that not only would continue the Philadelphia-area program, but expand it. The problem is that the proposed expansion is too limited. What Neilson, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, wants to do ...

Graduation also brings new beginning

Another year has quickly passed, and we’ve arrived at the beginning of high school graduation season. Our two biggest schools, Altoona Area and Hollidaysburg Area, will stage their graduation ceremonies tonight. Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic held its graduation last week. Graduation is typically accompanied by mixed emotions for students, parents and families throughout the region. There will be tears of joy and sadness — joy of reaching a milestone and sadness that they and their classmates will go their separate ways after years of being together. In many cases, that beginning ...