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Opinion

Vehicle noise pollution needs to be addressed

Letters to the Editor

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the increasing levels of noise pollution caused by motor vehicles in our community. It seems that the legally allowable sound decibels emitted from vehicles are being consistently ignored, leading to a disruptive and uncomfortable living environment for residents. It is an indisputable fact that aftermarket exhaust systems are often installed specifically to alter and increase the sound of vehicles. This disregard for noise regulations not only infringes upon our peace but also poses significant health risks. Prolonged exposure to ...

Trump right to upend trade system

Opinion

President Trump has proposed a monumental change in the system which we use to trade with other countries. This is a very large and complex issue and deserves an historical context to lay the groundwork for understanding. With this context, we can more fully appreciate our current circumstances. At World War II’s end, the United States was the world’s dominant military and economic power. It had vanquished adversaries on continents to the East and the West. The countries to our east (Europe) and our adversary to the west (Japan) incurred substantial physical damage, ...

Urban development can be common sense

Letters to the Editor

The recent column by Betsy McCaughey underscores a well-founded need for towns and cities around the country to take sensible approaches to urban development. McCaughey argues that the “lifestyle” of small-town America is under attack, a lifestyle she argues is based on living in single-family homes. But I must ask: What lifestyle and to what extent is this lifestyle homogeneous across the country? Small towns vary dramatically, but she egregiously believes that it is activists and those who wish to turn single-use zoned cities and towns from Norman Rockwell-esque paradises ...

Federal budget packs a punch

Letters to the Editor

The immense budget bill winding through Congress is a concern. What does it mean for us? It hacks government services we rely on for a dignified life. For instance, rural, elder and pediatric medicine are very dependent on Medicaid funding. This bill will drastically reduce this funding, hurting our community. Check with your doctor, nursing home and pediatric clinics. It further chainsaws federal consumer protections, government oversight of corporate abuses of workers, environment and retirees. Who does it benefit? Corporate/capital gains taxes are cut. Carried tax credit for hedge ...

Could paper mill site be used for prison?

Letters to the Editor

Two months ago, a new County Prison site was in the Mirror and on TV only to be disqualified. Lately, there has been no news about a site selection. Is this still news or is it now in the background? Roaring Spring has a blighted paper mill in the process of being demolished…a perfect site for a prison? It will take a year or two to develop, present, approve, permit and allow construction for a new prison, just when the paper mill site is cleared; 350 acres are available for the initial build, many in the pristine former woodyard with room for expansion, having direct access to Route ...

Cellphone law could be tougher

Editorials

The expression “time flies” is familiar to most people. However, time cannot “fly” fast enough regarding Pennsylvania’s new handheld-cellphone ban for individuals operating motor vehicles on commonwealth roadways. Until the full teeth of the law replaces the wishy-washy provisions currently in place, innocent drivers or vehicle passengers could die or be maimed — just because only a warning will be issued now, rather than a monetary penalty from violators’ wallets or pocketbooks. The possibility of a fine, rather than a warning, could deter some drivers from risking use ...