Starr has shown compassion for peopleI am endorsing Pete Starr for the 79th District's representative.As his neighbor, I have had the privilege to observe Starr's energetic dedication to a life of public service, his role of father and grandfather, and his helpful care of the people in our ...

How often do voters get a chance to elect an outsider who is already in office? That's the opportunity we have in the 79th District with state Rep. John McGinnis.McGinnis ran on a platform of reform and has been butting heads with leaders in the Capitol and leaders in his own party. While ...

If only "Spotlight" was a fictional creation of Hollywood, and not the all-too-real story of the Catholic Church's systematic pattern of hiding priestly child sexual abuse.If only the story told by The Boston Globe pertained only to Boston, and not to Philadelphia, and Milwaukee, and Los ...

Rep. John McGinnis, R-Altoona, has the right stuff.Knowledge, honesty, strong ethical morals, integrity and a proven good reputation is what McGinnis is made of. When you add to that a strong Christian faith, you have a man of excellent character.He stands firm in his beliefs. He works for us ...

We are in serious danger in the state of going over the financial cliff, mainly because of insufficient funding of our state and municipal pensions.We are, however, fortunate that the leading voice for funding and pension reform is right here in the 79th District in state Rep. John McGinnis. ...

As a retired Marine sergeant, property owner and registered beekeeper in Bedford County, I support Art Halvorson for Congress because we need a generous hard-working veteran in Congress.Halvorson is a kind man who cares about his neighbors and country. He allows his neighbors to use his land ...

I have known Pete Starr for more than 20 years, and the word that comes to my mind when I think of him is integrity.This is a man who has always put his country and community first. From his service in the U.S. Navy Seabees, on the Altoona Police Department, to his leadership in the VFW, he ...

As a resident of the 79th District, I would like to express some personal thoughts about Pete Starr.I've known Starr from his first ever trip to Altoona 50 years ago when he was serving in the U.S. Navy. It was a blind date with his future wife. When they married and chose to live and raise ...

Rep. Bill Shuster, R-9th District, advertises that he has voted 60 times to repeal Obamacare.But these bills have failed to become law, and Obamacare is still with us. On the other hand, Shuster has voted six times in the last five years in favor of spending bills and continuing resolutions ...

What a shame that our legislators do not have the interest of the people they represent.Our Pa. legislators have not passed a budget for nearly a year.Our schools, social institutions and services are in great danger of providing needed help today. My dad, a building contractor, taught me if ...

I'm supporting Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders.America's greatest accomplishments for we, the people, have been achieved through socialistic endeavors: Medicare, Medicaid, public schools, highways, bridges, police/fire services, Social Security, national parks, public utilities, ...

I have known John McGinnis for a number of years, well before he considered running for public office.McGinnis is a logical, ethical person with principles which he will not compromise for personal gain. I remember the night McGinnis decided to run for the House of Representatives.His reason ...

Too often we sit at home on Election Day and let this great privilege pass us by.We hear people lament about wanting honest lawmakers who will have the best interests of our 9th District and our great country at heart.We now have this person to represent us, Art Halvorson.Halvorson is an ...

We the people of the 79th District are truly blessed.Why are we so blessed, you might ask. We are blessed because we have in office a man who is a strong constitutional conservative who believes in our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.This man is a financial expert ...

I am often reminded of the wisdom given to me by my parents and grandparents.For example: "If it isn't broke, don't fix it."This gem of wisdom comes to my mind when I think of Rep. John McGinnis.His ongoing efforts and votes on behalf of the right to life, Second Amendment and fiscal restraint ...

People came to America for freedom of religion. But today we have lost our way.Killings, shootings, stealing, cheating on each other, etc. Now we have a woman running for president who supports abortions, killing babies and who will help Planned Parenthood crush babies' heads to harvest ...

I attended the United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C. Sea Chanters Chorus 2016 Tour on Sunday at the Altoona Area High School auditorium.Thank you to Kenneth C. Collins, Captain, U.S. Navy, Commanding Officer/Lead for his direction of this superior chorus. It was great to see Matt Neff with ...

As co-chair of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives' Pro-Life Caucus, I have been very pleased that the voters of the 79th District have twice elected John McGinnis to serve in our state government.McGinnis is one of those true-blue conservatives who understand that all good things in our ...

In March 2016, I had the opportunity to talk with Art Halvorson and found him to be a man of principle and unafraid to take a stand on issues important to me.I like that he has promised to lead the efforts to defend the constitution, secure the border and enforce existing laws, balance the ...

The month of April has been designated as National 9-1-1 Education Month, with the week of April 10-16 dedicated as National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.Our job is to take control in an emergency using the latest in technology and it is constantly evolving. Next Gen 911 is coming with ...