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Farmers oppose Cambria tax increase

Opinion

On behalf of the Cambria County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, I am writing to strongly oppose the Cambria County Commissioner’s proposed tax increase of 6.75 mills, from the current 30 mills to 36.75. (5.5 mills to go to the general fund and 1.25 mills to debt service. The Cambria County Farm Bureau has over 480 member families, and they cannot afford a tax increase of this size. I have already expressed our displeasure with the Commissioner’s decision to them. All three are Farm Bureau members, and friends of mine. I appreciate their memberships and friendship. Farmers are ...

Schmitt’s record will be remembered

Letters to the Editor

As Pennsylvania state Rep. Lou Schmitt concludes his service in Harrisburg to we the people, I believe that he deserves commendation for his wonderful tenure. Act 99 of 2022 protected our police officers by creating new criminal offenses for assaulting law enforcement officers with bodily fluids like saliva, with penalties that increase if the fluids are from someone with a communicable disease. In addition to new laws that protect, he also repealed antiquated laws with Act 96 of 2019. The act repealed an act from 1929 which “authorized municipalities other than townships to ...

Altoona on tap to see housing high

Editorials

Most people have heard the phrase beginning with “Year of the,” denoting an emphasis on one particular topic or group of topics — also possibly including a number of sub-topics of similar scope or substance. For Altoona, if all falls into place as deemed possible and workable, 2026 might well merit designation as the “Year of the House,” because of how housing-related preliminary work already underway is establishing the groundwork for exciting possibilities, going forward, for this forward-looking city. The effort that’s underway must continue — uninhibited. Leaders ...

Not missing the US under Biden admin

Letters to the Editor

When Joe Biden was president, the economy wasn’t booming. Unemployment wasn’t low and we didn’t have good relationships with other countries. Biden and the Democrats didn’t help the working class. Their policies hurt us. Inflation wasn’t low; it was the highest since the Carter administration. Gasoline prices spiked. Food prices skyrocketed. And utilities increased their rates. The effects of the shutdown. They forced businesses to close and to fire employees for not getting the vaccine. Saying don’t to Putin didn’t create peace. That allowed him to invade Ukraine. ...

Trump doing what he was elected to do

Letters to the Editor

President Donald Trump is neither a “King,” a “Dictator,” nor is he a threat to Democracy. His actions show the opposite. He is a bold leader who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. He is doing what voters elected him to do, focusing on issues that matter most to everyday Americans. He has built American strength through deregulation, energy independence, and supporting U.S. manufacturing. Over $10 trillion in new investments have been promised by domestic and foreign companies. Trump tariffs brought in $350 billion in revenue in fy2025; much more is expected in ...

Lakemont suit needs a mediator

Editorials

Blair County’s recent decision to sue Lakemont Partnership and a decision in August by Lakemont Partnership to sue Blair County are evidence of a lease dispute too complex to be resolved quickly. That’s why we’re recommending Blair County Court of Common Pleas identify a mediator as fast as possible to work with both entities and set deadlines to be monitored by a judge. Perhaps a mediator — one with a good legal background — will be able to sort through the accusations and arguments in the lawsuits and work on potential resolutions. Some may shake their heads at the ...