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Georgia issue is a problem all prisons face

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is seeking help from Washington. You might already be asking, “Why should that be of interest to me?” Actually, it should be of interest to everyone. According to a report in the Sept. 15 edition of the Wall Street Journal, Carr wants authorization to jam cell signals and permission to shoot down drones. The actions would not be directed at law-abiding residents of his state; neither is he implying that such actions should be directed at law-abiding individuals anywhere else in this country. It’s problem people upon which he is focused, ...

Voters must make educated choices

Webster’s Dictionary defines fear mongering as “the deliberate use of frightening language, exaggeration or false claims to provoke an extreme emotional response and manipulate people’s opinions.” In 1880, debates surrounding alternating current were known as the War of the Currents. People were motivated by fear when even Edison’s company argued the high-voltage AC was dangerously hazardous to the public. The Three Mile Island incident in 1979 fueled public fears with conflicting reports from officials that effectively halted the commercial construction of new nuclear ...

Vote Garrity for proven success

As treasurer, Stacy Garrity has returned over $1 billion of people’s own money and property to them through her unclaimed property portal. This is not a subsidy, but a proactive approach to helping Pennsylvanians reclaim what is rightfully theirs. She has also worked hard to help seniors through property tax rebates. This means more money in Pennsylvanians’ pockets. Her opponent has raised property taxes and will continue to raise taxes. Please vote for Stacy Garrity for governor for a prosperous future. Cheryl Rupp Altoona

Verobish right choice on Nov. 3

As a father and homeowner, I know firsthand the pain felt at the pump. I appreciate State Rep. Andrea Verobish pushing for a gas tax suspension. Pennsylvania remains one of the highest taxed states on gasoline in the nation. For years, the people have begged their representatives to push for relief. Should Verobish’s plan work, the cost of gas would drop 57 cents a gallon overnight. Help Verobish get this done by voting for her on Nov. 3! Mark Stephens Altoona

The importance of vaccines

Preventable diseases such as measles have been making recent headlines across Pennsylvania, once again putting the efficacy of vaccines back in the national spotlight. Vaccines have a strong safety record and remain a trusted public health tool recognized by leading health organizations. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended by public health authorities to help prevent measles and provide long-lasting protection for most people. Vaccines have been associated with significant reductions in serious illness and death from infectious disease. They also help prevent strain and ...

Tyrone survey laudable

The message “it’s important to be persistent,” contained in a Sept. 19-20 Mirror article about the Altoona Redevelopment Authority’s “scaling up” of its battle against blight in the city, is especially apropos regarding Tyrone’s push to obtain public input concerning the future of the borough. In the redevelopment article in question, Josh Kaufman, the city’s designated blight manager, was listed as the person responsible for “digging into ownership” of problem properties in an effort to uncover individuals willing to deal with the authority. “It’s important ...