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Letters to the Editor

Commissioners lack transparency

In a Dec. 19, 2025, Mirror article, it was disclosed the county commissioners are close to signing an agreement for an as-yet unnamed piece of ground for a new prison. There has been much discussion recently, but as usual, no specifics from our commissioners. The question arises, why the secrecy? Why can the taxpayers not be informed where a potential $90-120 million of our money will be spent? I must argue again the many drawbacks to a location outside of the current location of the prison, not the least of which will be the increased issues of transportation from the prison to the ...

Ward credited with changing lives

This is a follow up to the recent Altoona Mirror article: “Ward remembered for leadership, kindness to all.” In that wonderful article were several outside local businessmen paying tribute to G. Bill Ward. I would like to take you back to early October 1968, when I was discharged from the U.S. Navy, and returned to Hollidaysburg to join my wife, Thelma, and 1-year-old daughter, Lisa. My job search took me to Ward Trucking. I interviewed with W. W. Ward, chairman of the board, and President G. Bill Ward. These were two of the finest gentlemen I had ever met. I was so impressed ...

Where are the lower food, drug prices?

So Donald Trump’s pitch for affordability (I’m sure the word sent his billionaire buddies rushing for a dictionary) lasted all of about a week before he labeled it a “Democrat hoax.” A hoax? Really? Americans not heavily invested in crypto would wholeheartedly disagree. As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump didn’t think it was a hoax when he needed votes and made wild promises that absolutely nobody with a functioning BS detector would believe. Like these: “Starting the day I take the oath of office, I will rapidly drive prices down and we will make America affordable ...

Endangered species must be protected

As a conservationist, outdoor writer and Pennsylvanian who spends hours in the field, I am alarmed by the current administration’s attempt to weaken the Endangered Species Act. This landmark law has prevented the extinction of 99% of the species placed under its protection. In November, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed four rules that would reinstate weakened 2019-20 regulations. The proposals would: — Remove the “blanket rule” that automatically safeguards threatened species, instead requiring protections to be added ...

Christians don’t hate others

There have been letters in the Mirror praising Charlie Kirk with one comparing Kirk to Jesus Christ, saying Kirk spread the words of Jesus Christ across America. I could not find in my Bible where Jesus Christ spread words of hatred, like Kirk did. Did Kirk not spread words of hatred against Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, gays, etc? The only group he missed was Native Americans. Kirk was a throwback to very dark days in America, where those who Kirk said, if you don’t look, act, talk or think like me, you don’t belong. A letter writer said Sept. 10, 2025, will live in infamy. ...

Community should stand up for hospital

I recently retired from UPMC Altoona as a facility maintenance manager. We recently installed “state of the art” surveillance systems at the Station Medical Facility and, outside of the fact that I believe there needs to be an “armed police presence” during normal working hours, it is an excellence system providing a proactive approach to patient and staff safety. I’ve witnessed our administrators at UPMC Altoona trying to do everything within their authority to provide world class care and safety for patients and staff. It’s my opinion that they are operating with two ...