Opinion

Grateful for the caregivers

Letters to the Editor February 6, 2026

The weather outside has been bitterly cold lately, so I decided it was a good time to clean out papers that I needed to trash. As I sat in my kitchen, I could see the pure white snow covering the ground. The birds are surrounding the fresh seed I put in their feeder. Returning to the papers, I found a journal I had forgotten about so of course, I couldn’t help but neglect the old papers and started reading. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the stories I had written about my children, grandchildren and the family fun we had. I totally was thankful I had jotted these ...

Appreciation missing in the UK

Letters to the Editor February 6, 2026

A recent trip to London included a highly recommended day at the British War Museum. While the facility was incredibly impressive and well done, the WWI and WWII displays shockingly offered very little appreciation to American intervention. If one didn’t know any better, you have been led to believe that the Brits won both wars without much assistance. It also was the off the record comments in other European countries that unless Trump-like immigration response takes place soon, the continent’s cultures will someday cease to exist. Mike Miller Altoona

Big Oil making a fool of us

Letters to the Editor February 6, 2026

Fool me once. … The oldest among us remember how Big Tobacco firms paid Think Tanks and pricey PR firms to convince our parents that smoking was safe, cool and even healthy. Fool me twice. … Now as we learn Big Oil companies have been hiring the very same PR firms and disgraced scientists for years to convince us that fossil fuels are The American Way, literally wrapping our American flag around a dirty oil can. We see the roots of this love affair. It’s been very expensive to get the public to reject clean energy. After all, we have to give up a stable economy, predictable ...

Kennedy Center should remain as-is

Letters to the Editor February 5, 2026

It nauseates me to mention the Kennedys and Trumps in the same sentence — as they are polar opposites in every way. A sycophantic, hand-picked board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted illegally to add the name of Donald Trump to the memorial for our slain 35th president. The Kennedys (except RFK Jr.) lived the phrase “... ask what you can do for your country.” Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy’s family gave three sons in service to the United States. Joe Jr., a Navy pilot, was killed in Europe flying a bombing mission during WWII. JFK, a Navy Lieutenant, ...

City ordinance would add costs, delays

Letters to the Editor February 4, 2026

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the city ordinance passed last week by the Altoona City Council regarding the new licensing program for halfway/recovery and institutionalized facilities. While the goal of “safety” is a sentiment we all share, this ordinance creates a redundant and overbearing layer of bureaucracy that threatens to stifle vital services. The city must recognize that these facilities are already among the most heavily regulated buildings in the commonwealth. Providers are required to meet the standards of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and ...

Taxpayers lose when repairs stall

Editorials February 4, 2026

Blair County Commissioner Laura Burke voiced an interesting point the other day when commenting on the newly approved third phase of the courthouse roofing project. It was a noteworthy point for any county resident who pays county property taxes — especially the longtime taxpayers who recall politicians’ claims, virtually year after year, of meeting their fiscal responsibilities and in particular, their talent for avoiding tax increases. However, rather than being elated about such taxpayer-friendly claims, whether accurate or not-so-accurate, taxpayers need to focus on a fact ...