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Opinion

Our opinion: Rainy day funds still off limits

Our Opinion

We share the concerns of state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, regarding Gov. Josh Shapiro’s plan to pull money from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to fill the gaps in his own spending plan. As Hamm noted recently the state does not have the prerogative to draw money from the fund at any given time — the money is earmarked for economic downturns. Any time that fund is touched, it must happen only under conditions of a recession or economic downturn, Hamm said. If he tries to do that, as indicated in the proposal to legislators, there is a potential for a lawsuit being filed, ...

Our opinion: Counting our delivery blessings

Our Opinion

State Rep. Martin Causer is among those concerned about the closure of UPMC Cole labor and delivery services. The Bradford Republican, whose district includes Cameron, McKean and Potter counties, is concerned the closure will create a significant maternity care desert across multiple counties. We’re not sure, given the distance from Coudersport to Warren, if any of the women who would have given birth at UPMC Cole will end up in the delivery rooms at Warren General Hospital, but whenever there is are changes like this there are ripple effects throughout regional health care systems, ...

Our opinion: Chipping in for area road work

Our Opinion

As Daylight Savings Time returned this weekend, work on important highly traveled roads cannot be too far off. Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced its investment of $468 million to help municipalities across the Commonwealth maintain their roads and bridges. These investments, which come from state gas tax revenues, help municipalities pay for things like snow removal and road repaving. “Our roads and bridges are vital to connecting Pennsylvanians with services and opportunity,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Investments in municipal roads ...

Readers Speak

Letters To Editor

True colors Dear Editor, We just saw what is purported to be a group of leaders from the Democrat party show why the election went to Donald Trump. During the recent speech to Congress they figuratively sat on their hands, even when there were reasons to show approval to what was said. A young boy battling cancer was made an honorary Secret Service agent. That brought tears to my eyes, and they sat with stone faces. Females dressed in pink protesting Trump’s policies concerning what they feel are women’s rights, showed their hypocrisy when POTUS stated women’s sports are ...

A staple for meals

Local Commentaries

Rice is not only a whole grain but it is easily digested. I remember my grandmother who had stomach issues choosing rice to eat. It is not only inexpensive, but it is nutritious and tasty. For those of you who are watching your food budget, you can mix rice with many things to enhance the taste. When Dick and I were married he told me the only way to eat rice was as rice pudding or rice cooked with milk. We lived on a dairy farm so milk was plentiful. I often cooked rice with milk in a double boiler with a cinnamon stick and a little sugar. I also added some extra ground cinnamon. ...

Our opinion: Property reassessment hits home stretch

Our Opinion

What seems like years of debate and discussion over a countywide property reassessment is finally entering its final days with the announcement of public meetings throughout the county starting today. Following today’s meeting in Columbus, there will be meetings next week at 6 p.m. Monday in Sheffield, 6 p.m. Wednesday in Youngsville and 6 p.m. Thursday in Warren. Each will last about two hours and include presentations from county officials and Vision Government Solutions to explain how the reassessment was conducted and what the potential result of the reassessment could be on ...