Hats off and a salute to the US Army Corps of Engineers for respecting the science and public sentiment that demanded the conservation of the Hawn’s Peninsula and adjacent Terrace Mountain at Raystown Lake, designating those areas as Environmentally Sensitive Area, Vegetative Management and ...
I find myself in the state of mourning for the loss of civility in our current hyper-partisan atmosphere. No longer are we viewed as individuals with a wide swath of experience, opinions, base of knowledge or shared humanity. I have heard more personal insults directed at individuals based ...
Frank Philips’ letter on Oct. 24 contains a major factual error. He writes “One last bit of news. The wealthiest 400 families now pay a tax rate of 23 percent. The bottom half of American households pay a 24.2 percent tax rate.” This statement is demonstrably false. Google: Summary ...
I would like to clear up some misinformation regarding local cemetery maintenance. It is wonderful that the Blair County prisoners have undertaken maintenance at two of our local Altoona cemeteries — Oak Ridge and Fairview. As a representative for Rose Hill Cemetery, I want to explain ...
Why did Gov. Tom Wolf send Lt. Gov. John Fetterman out into our 67 counties to ask about making marijuana legal? That was like sending Satan out to ask if sin is wrong. No, I’m not calling Fetterman the devil, because if I was sent out for the same reason, it would also be like sending ...
I just returned from an outstanding “United We Can” luncheon at The Casino. The featured speaker was Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman, a fighter, podcaster, author and outstanding speaker. He was a true inspiration for both young and old. The series has been an event not to be ...
Trump has proven enough is enough Will someone please explain to me what exactly President Donald Trump must do to receive the universal condemnation that his actions truly deserve? This man, under the guise of the presidency, has done very little to the benefit of all Americans. Instead, ...
Is it really a mystery why President Donald Trump pulled our troops away from our betrayed allies, the Kurds? Erdogan made a call to Trump. Then without notifying Congress, his staff, the Kurds or anyone else, Trump redeployed American troops to other locations in the Middle East. Trump ...
I was chuckling when I recently read a letter to the editor in which the author stated the Democratic Party is bad for the country. The author probably gets her news from the local newspaper, or Rush Limbaugh or perhaps Fox News. So, I’m going to try to provide a little unbiased ...
I want to give my full endorsement and support to re-elect Mayor Pacifico. Having been in business for 30 years, I can see the results/improvements which are making the city more business-friendly. These results are what led my company to invest heavily into the city in the last four ...
During the week of Oct. 21, Pennsylvania joins the nation in celebration of national school bus safety week. During this time, safety stakeholders, including parents, students, teachers, motorists, state officials, school bus operators, school administrators and other interested parties join ...
Cal Thomas’ Oct. 16 column expressed concern over the withdrawal from Syria. I am no expert on war or troop numbers. Thomas mentioned 501,100 troops. A troop can consist of 250 men and women. If President Donald Trump would withdraw 50-100 troops, it could be 12,500 to 25,100 ...
I am writing to encourage support for Mayor Matt Pacifico. As a registered Democrat, I have found value in Pacifico’s tenure as leader of our great city. He has been instrumental in making Altoona better. This ranges from forming a city land bank, working on Altoona revitalization and ...
Jesse Ickes and Joe Carper are both men of character who are committed to our community, and have chosen to live and raise their families in Altoona. Ickes and Carper are level-headed, smart young professionals who are fiscally responsible and have the ability to unify. Ickes is a ...
Bruce Erb has earned my support and the support of many of my neighbors here in Williamsburg. He cares about our small communities and is quick and responsive when we have a need. Erb not only has a strong financial background, he also has a clear and precise vision for the future good of ...
Congratulations to Altoona Mayor Matt Pacifico and Altoona City Council for showing support for the gay and lesbian community. The outpouring of local support for the Pride parade was amazing. It is time we understand that all people are important. Dave Servello Altoona
The Kurds are a tough, rugged people used to hardships. They are farmers, herders and also fierce and loyal fighters. Kurdish fighters also include women. They were a big part in helping American troops end the stranglehold ISIS had on that area. Ten thousand Kurds were killed, and 24,000 ...
On Nov. 5, voters will elect important leadership for municipal government. At the county level, Bruce Erb draws on a successful career in banking and finance to aid his decision making. Blair County faces many challenges as they wrestle with a list of needs that will surely outweigh the ...
I am writing to support Bruce Erb for Blair County commissioner. I have known Erb for more than 30 years. His background as a professional banker gives him the financial acumen necessary to deal with the fiscal issues facing Blair County and his record over the last four years demonstrates an ...
As mayor of a third-class city, I understand the challenges inherent to this office. The office requires a diversified skill set — an understanding of government, the nuances of your community/desire of the electorate, a compassion for people and in our present political state, a desire for ...