Budget Cuts and Policy Changes Raise Local Concerns

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Tracking federal budget decisions is never easy. Between the president’s budget proposal, congressional resolutions, appropriations bills, and last-minute continuing resolutions, the process is complicated even in a typical year. But this year is anything but typical. On top of the standard appropriations process, executive branch actions—some unilateral and potentially subject to judicial review—have introduced deep

The Gettysburg Station Project explained

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Driving or walking around Gettysburg in 2025, one does not have to go far before they will see a yard sign that reads “STOP THE STATION,” or “SAVE HISTORIC GETTYSBURG.” If you were new to town, you might find these signs alarming. So, what is it all about? This has to do with a proposed

Stories of my father

US Flag at Military Cemetery on Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Concept National holidays, Flag Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day. Generative AI.

The straight facts of a veteran’s life don’t always tell the whole story.  On Memorial Day, I always think of my father, Gayle Smith, who was an ambulance driver during World War II.  After the war Gayle followed his father’s footsteps as a college professor, teaching English at the University of Maryland when he wasn’t

Missing In Action

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We live in Gettysburg, where the most famous and bloodiest battle of the Civil War was fought.  There were 50,000 casualties in that battle.  Among them were 10,000 soldiers who were “Missing In Action”.   Were they dead?  Did they desert?  At first, no one knew. Today, there are 273 people who are “Missing In Action.” 

My choices for GASD school board candidates

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By The May 20th Primary Election is next week. I have had a chance to hear from all seven of the candidates running to serve on the Gettysburg Area School Board. I have read and viewed all the information provided by the candidates in the Gettysburg Connection and on their Facebook pages and websites. I

Work hard, get ahead – stay in place

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Congressional Republicans’ budget plans would force America’s working class to foot the bill for tax cuts for the wealthy by cutting back on programs that help families remain financially secure. The programs at risk for the largest cuts include Medicaid, which enables 72 million people – more than 1 in 5 Americans – to obtain

Has there ever been a worse week for the US?

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The disgrace of Dred Scott (Sept 17, 1858)? Plessy v. Ferguson (May 18, 1896)? Internment of Japanese citizens (February 1942)? The fiasco of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (August 7, 1964)?  Invasion of Iraq (April 9, 2003)? There have been other candidates, but for pure evil and corruption, concentrated in one man, I think it’s

Supports Carr for Mayor

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Carr for Mayor Editor, Gettysburg Times, I endorse Chad-Alan Carr for mayor of Gettysburg because he has proven himself to be someone who makes things happen. For nearly twenty years he has benefited our community through the Gettysburg Community Theatre, a non-profit that provides theater entertainment and education to all ages and abilities. He began

Supports Chad-Alan Carr for Gettysburg mayor

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As a long time resident of Gettysburg Borough, I am convinced that supporting Chad-Alan Carr to be our next mayor is the right thing to do. Gettysburg Borough residents have many concerns, issues and complaints. I would like to address the three I think stand out most. Transparency: Too often over the years it has

Qually supports Carr for Mayor

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By Marty Qually, Former Borough Council member The opinions in this letter do not reflect my elected position as a County Commissioner.  They reflect my personal opinions as a Gettysburg resident and former Borough Council member.   Chad-Alan Carr has my full and unwavering support for Mayor of Gettysburg. Chad-Alan has proven that he works with tourism partners

PA Municipal Code and mayoral duties

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Oversight of the police department is assigned to the position of Mayor under the Pennsylvania Municipal Code.  The DCED Mayor’s Manual states: “The mayor is the only elected executive officer in borough government. In contrast to the council, the mayor acts alone in carrying out mayoral powers and duties, which are primarily in the areas

Supports Frealing for Mayor

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What is that strange little box above the Mayor’s statement in the Borough newsletter? And who put it there? Could it have been Borough newsletter editor Charles Gable, a fan of Chad-Alan Carr? Could it have been an attempt to get people to question the mayor’s honesty? Whatever the intent, certainly the only questionable sentence

Town Hall report from candidate Beth Farnham

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In the midst of a constitutional crisis, inside the picturesque Barn Resort set against the rolling hills of one of America’s greatest battles, Gettysburgians gathered for The People’s Town Hall on Saturday. With over 215 confirmed in attendance, the townspeople listened to Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04) and Representative Malcolm Kenyatta (D-PA181) describe the dismantling of

Former Mayor Streeter endorses Frealing

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I write as a former mayor of Gettysburg to support the re-election of Rita Frealing. I have known Chad-Alan Carr for a number of years. I consider him a personable, highly competent individual who is capable of handling almost any position. But in this case, not that of mayor. And here’s why. Consider why the

Supports Chad-Alan Carr for Gettysburg Mayor

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I am writing to express my utmost support for Chad-Alan Carr for Mayor of Gettysburg. I know both candidates, Mayor Frealing and Mr. Carr, and have much respect for them both. However, respect and suitability for an elected position are not the same. I agree with the five Borough Council members who have endorsed Chad-Alan Carr

Why I’m a Friend—and Why You Should Be Too

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Do you love your library? I do! When my family moved to Gettysburg twenty years ago, my wife pregnant and our daughter just two-years-old, the library was the first place we found community. It’s the place we met our first local friends, many of whom we still hang out with today. And my relationship with

Supports Chad-Alan Carr for Mayor

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I am supporting Chad-Alan Carr for Mayor of Gettysburg.   In the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to hear presentations by both Chad-Alan and the current mayor.  It is now clear to me that our community would  best be served by a change of leadership.  Chad-Alan has a proven track record of active community involvement

Is  this what efficiency feels like?

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In light of the vigils planned to support Gettysburg National Military Park and the National Park Service in general, I’d like to share a recent experience.  I traveled by bus just over a week ago to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as the coordinator for a tour group. I’ve made this same trip a number

Reelect Kay Hollabaugh

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Kay Hollabaugh is a worthy candidate for the Upper Adams School Board.  More than that, she is a necessary member of the Upper Adams School Board. She has been actively serving the Upper Adams community through her work as an owner with Hollabaugh Bros. Inc. for over 30 years and her two years that she

Endorsing UASD School Board candidates

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Upper Adams Community Cares (UACC) has assembled a slate of candidates for the May 20 primary.  These are the bipartisan candidates for Upper Adams School District (UASD) board of school directors: Kay Hollabaugh, Deb Steckler, Eric Markle, Rachel Elliott and John Lindemulder of which voters can select four.  These candidates represent a wide swath of

Moral Injury

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In the United States of today, many of us suffer from the condition known as “moral injury.”  First identified as something veterans suffer from, this condition is the trauma experienced by someone in the midst of a situation where what they are asked to be part of goes so much against their conscience that it

Gun Violence Prevention Efforts Continue to Save Lives in Pennsylvania

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While the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention has closed, Pennsylvania’s efforts to reduce gun violence remain strong. The Pennsylvania Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP), operating under the state’s Commission on Crime and Delinquency, continues to fund community-based programs that are showing real results. Since 2022, gun homicides in the state have dropped

Julieta Booz visits ACTI

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By Julieta Booz, Candidate for Gettysburg Area School District School Director Last week I had the opportunity to meet with Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI) Administrative Director Mr. Shawn Eckenrode. He took time from his busy schedule to answer my questions about the establishment of ACTI, the future vision for ACTI, and give me a

Mastriano favors concealed carry

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Senator Mastriano is at it again.  He recently introduced Senate Bill 244, “Protecting the Rights of Concealed Carry Permit Holders Traveling Across State Lines Act.”  Not only does he want Pennsylvanians to be able to carry guns in their cars in the Commonwealth, he now favors doing so in states that have the sense to

Why It’s Crucial to Reschedule Cannabis

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By Dale Reichert – President of Abbottstown Borough Council It’s time for the federal government to recognize the medicinal benefits of cannabis and respect the local governments that are already effectively regulating this plant. Thankfully, President Trump is ready to lead the way. In 2024, the President stated on social media that he would continue

Trump’s Great Betrayal and Why Medicaid Matters

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During his campaign, Donald Trump told his supporters how much he would do for them regarding the economy and inflation, ending wars, creating a better health care system, and making America a “better place” by getting rid of immigrants and restoring the values of white Christian nationalism. No, he would not destroy Social Security or

Quakers call on Pennsylvanians to Make America Love Again

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By Chris Fee I belong to a tiny Quaker Meeting in the rolling hills of South Central Pennsylvania just north of Gettysburg. Our meeting house is surrounded by acres upon acres of apple orchards, and our community is an agricultural one. While no place is perfect, there is plenty here to love, and not least

Efficiency, Cost cutting or Something Else?

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If I wanted to spend $1 million ($1M) at the rate of $1 per second, it would take about 13 days; $1 billion ($1B) about 31 years, and $1 trillion ($1T) over 300 centuries.  The difference between 1M, 1B, and 1T is hard to comprehend. That’s just a fun math exercise until you realize the

Goodbye to the Truman Doctrine

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The 1947 Truman Doctrine promised that the U.S. would provide military, economic, and political support to democratic countries threatened by authoritarian rule. From its issuance on March 12, 1947, until this year, the U.S. stood as the unquestioned world leader against tyranny. We sometimes supported equally bad tyrants because they claimed to be fighting communists,

How Democracies Die

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It’s always darkest just before … it turns totally black. We can’t say we weren’t warned. John Adams wrote, “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” In his Farewell Address in 1796, Washington said, “The disorders and miseries which

Questions on Bermudian’s new school director

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This month, Bermudian Springs School Board interviewed three candidates to fill the vacant seat in Region III. Two of the three candidates were well-prepared for their interviews. They had thoughtful answers to the list of questions. One spoke with passion and sincerity. He had fresh, tangible ideas on how to further support our students. Another had

Do Your Job Rep. Joyce

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I wish I could say with more pride that I reside in Pennsylvania’s 13th U.S. Congressional District. Congressman John Joyce has represented the 13th since 2019. While he may be an honorable man, Joyce is not honoring his oath of office, which includes supporting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign

Gettysburg Planning Commission should protect residential areas

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The Gettysburg Planning Commission has been reviewing the proposed rezoning document, developed by a task force and consultant, which includes significant changes to the R-2 Moderate Density Residential zoning district (green areas in the attached map). A concerning aspect of the proposal is the addition of commercial uses to the R-2 zone, which has historically

Proposed tariffs will cost taxpayers

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Since I worked for 30 years for U.S. farmers as a trade economist for USDA, I want to comment on the recent trade news. Tariffs increase inflation because they are paid to the United States Government (USG) by the U.S. importer, whether a domestic manufacturer or retailer like Ford or Walmart, and then added totally

The Unknown Federal Worker

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Why the fuss about disbanding USAID and firing other federal employees, without notice or reason?  The reason is not only fairness, but the fact that hard-working civil servants save taxpayers more than they cost.  Employees of the US government are not widely appreciated for their work, in part because much of the work they do

Celebrating Love: World Marriage Day

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This Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025 marks World Marriage Day. It is an observance to highlight the beauty of committed partnership. It honors the couple’s sacrifices, trust, faithfulness, and joy and to love. The couple is the foundation to a family. World Marriage Day is always the 2nd Sunday in February, a fitting month as Valentine’s

RUN.FOR.OFFICE

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This past two weeks have been difficult to say the least, with over 200 executive orders, many of which are unconstitutional and illegal, working to dismantle our democracy. It is imperative that we do whatever is in our power to fight back. Many people ask, “How can we fight this onslaught of lies, crime, fascism,

Wake up, Americans!

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We have recently witnessed Elon Musk and his cronies hostile takeover of the U.S. Treasury’s formerly carefully-guarded payment systems for all departments. This action compromises the sensitive data of millions, including all people registered with Social Security. The takeover allows an unelected billionaire a mechanism to unilaterally restrict disbursement of money approved for specific purposes

From the Heart….The Greatest Gift of All

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“Amidst the chaos of life, your unwavering presence is thesanctuary others seek.”  – Deepak Chopra At the start of a recent Saturday morning yoga class I attended, the teacher shared these words of wisdom regarding the profound gift of our unwavering presence. We’re all familiar with the sentiment, “Your presence is gift enough.” But what

Red Is Not a Mandate

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When I was in 4-H Beef Club, grabbing a blue ribbon during the county fair meant “Samson” and I scored first place. A red ribbon meant second place. President Trump scored a red ribbon during the 2024 election but is acting like he deserved the blue. Trump captured second place with support from roughly 32

So you want to be an autocrat? Here’s the 10-point checklist

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By Shelley Inglis, University of Dayton Democracy is in trouble, despite popular uprisings and dynamic social movements in Lebanon, Hong Kong and across Europe and Latin America. Scholars say countries across the globe are experiencing a rise in autocratic rule, with declines in democratic ideals and practice. Autocratic rule – also known as authoritarianism –

No Democracy Lasts Forever

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The book “No Democracy Lasts Forever, How the Constitution Threatens the United States” is by Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California, Berkeley. The framers who wrote the Constitution made certain compromises to produce a document that the Constitutional Convention and the 13 original states would approve. As a result, its inherent flaws, including

New reads for the new year

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In January, the Green Gettysburg Book Club and Gettysburg for Gun Sense will be studying some amazing works. As I delve into these reads, I am also fortunate to have received from Santa a copy of the prize-winning novel, “Orbital,” about watching Earth from the space station, by Samantha Harvey. The Green Gettysburg Book Club

Commends Two Cool Dudes Event

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I want to commend Lawrence and Anthony, hosts of the “Two Cool Dudes”podcast; Kathy Gaskin, who leads WellSpan’s Behavioral Health Task Force; and the Weary Performing Arts group, for an excellent program on mental wellness that they presented together at Gettysburg High School last night. All who braved the cold to attend were well rewarded!

Making the MLK Holiday a day of peace, service, and healing

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During the past few years, we have gone through a long stretch of political onslaught in the media and many folks experience a great deal of stress and anxiety about the impact on their lives under the incoming administration and the significance of Monday, January 20th.   While this January 20th is certainly an important day

Does Gettysburg need more Housing?

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During the ongoing rezoning of Gettysburg Borough and review of the proposed 7-story “Gettysburg Station Project” building proposed for downtown, borough officials have repeatedly represented to the community that Gettysburg needs more housing. At the August 19, 2024 Planning Commission meeting I requested that borough officials provide the public with evidence to substantiate this determination.

Who’s pushing “fake news” now?

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Fake news is false or misleading information presented as news but slanted to fool readers into thinking it’s for real. Fake news includes fabricated content (stories made up to mislead people), deceptive headlines (stories with truthful content but exaggerated or deceiving headlines), satire or parody (articles intended as jokes or satire but mistaken by readers

A hunter’s perspective

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As a lifelong hunter, I vividly recall the pride of taking my first deer at thirteen on my grandfather’s south Texas ranch. My mother’s venison recipe made the experience even sweeter.  Taught by my father, who learned from his, I gained not only skills like gun safety and respect for animals, but also a deep

An open letter to UASD Board members Heather Young-Cover, Marya Djalal, Loren Lustig, Tricia Plank, and Neil Weigle

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School boards provide oversight and governance to school districts.  They do so by: (1) supporting the mission and evaluating progress toward goals,(2) providing responsible fiscal oversight, (3) establishing and maintaining district policies, (4) hiring, oversight and evaluating the superintendent and (5) serving as community leaders and advocates.  Boards have no management functions.  None. Jan E.

A day in the life…

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Republicans argue that safety net programs can inadvertently discourage work by offering benefits that make low-wage jobs less attractive. They imply programs such as  long-term unemployment benefits, rental assistance, and food stamps reduce incentives for people to seek work. Republicans often highlight examples of fraud, misuse, or administrative inefficiencies in safety net programs. That’s not

A Cabinet From Hell; don’t roll over, Senators

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As the president-elect rolls out his appointments (Musk, Ramaswamy for “government efficiency”) and nominations (Zeldin-EPA, Hegseth-SecDef, Gabbard-DNI, Gaetz-AG, Kennedy-HHS) it is clear that his promises to exact retribution and expel expertise and blow up the professional administration of government were not empty promises, but clear and present dangers. It seems that each choice is worse

Public Education is a Foundation for Life

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When my mother left the second time, I cried in my father’s arms. He tried to comfort this seven year old as best he could, but the grim reality soon settled in. He would have to find a daycare for my three year old brother and hire after school babysitters for me. He managed both

Moderate Democrats Are Silenced by Extremist Liberals

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There is no question that our Republic is in a sad state of divisiveness and hatred for our fellow man.  It has gotten so bad that anyone who holds to centrist policies these days is excoriated by both sides as being extremist or naïve; therefore, any centrist liberal or conservative has had to live in

Republicans: Stop rationalizing away your cognitive dissonance

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As a former mental health therapist, minister, and ombudsman, I have seen almost every form of behavior in a person that does not align with that person’s claimed values or beliefs.  The official term for this is cognitive dissonance.  A definition of cognitive dissonance is ” the discomfort a person feels when their behavior does not

WMD: Weapons of Mass Distraction

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From the insurrection to his enemy from within claims, from felony charges to abandoning NATO, from racist tropes to antisemitic hate speech, former President Donald Trump truly is as Jon Stewart claimed, “a corruption Mr. Magoo.” In this fever dream of an election year, America’s choice between a candidate who is incoherent, out-of-touch, and outright

Donald Trump and Huey Long: two of a kind?

mark berg

We might think that Donald Trump is a new phenomenon in American politics, the likes of which we haven’t seen before. This is false. There was Huey Long. Nearly a century before Trump descended the escalator, Long showed the power of a politician who is cunning and charismatic and establishes a dynamic whereby the hatred

Why I will vote for Kamala Harris

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I’ve been waiting for weeks for just one Gettysburg Connection reader to write in to say why they are voting for Kamala Harris. With such an important election only 10 days away, and facing a wall of silence from our readers, I’m writing to say why I am. Harris is the Democratic Party’s candidate. Over

Cooper-White unfairly attacks Evangelicals

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On October 13, my friend Peter Beck and I attended a public forum called “The Psychology of Christian Nationalism” sponsored by The Rev. Jim Strader-Sasser, interim rector of The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace, an Episcopal parish in Gettysburg. After being introduced as an Episcopal priest, The Rev. Pamela Cooper-White attacked every Christian

Reproductive Freedom

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Sue Feaga, writing as a member of Gettysburg Conservatives and a representative of the Tender Care Pregnancy Center has written an opinion piece from a pro-life standpoint. It should be noted that Tender Care Pregnancy Center is not a licensed healthcare facility, nor is its practice licensed, inspected, or certified by the state of Pennsylvania.

Reproductive Freedom

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After spending several years as a pro-life client advocate in AZ and PA my heart goes out to those women who have suffered guilt, shame and regret over their “right” with reproductive freedom to choose abortion. It’s ironic that the first definition under freedom is defined as the condition of NOT being in prison or

Keep Gettysburg Gettysburg

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This past week my organization, OPEN MINDS, played host to 300+ health care executives at our annual OPEN MINDS Executive Leadership Retreat. First, I want to thank all the folks in town who made this week-long event possible. Great food at our restaurants, wonderful battlefield guides, talented local artists, interesting shops, and unique museums. But

Does Trumpism equal Antisemitism?

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Republican Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine gave this, her Declaration of Conscience speech, before the U.S. Senate in 1950. “I would like to speak briefly and simply about a serious national condition. It is a national feeling of fear and frustration that could result in national suicide and the end of everything that we

Let’s keep Gettysburg special

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We all understand that Gettysburg is a special iconic community: its history, character, and heritage attract millions of visitors who are key to our economy – and hold a powerful significance for hundreds of millions more nationally and internationally. Gettysburg’s reputational value is priceless. Gettysburg also is a diverse community that needs to offer services

Overcoming White supremacy

mark berg

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. It overturned the previous “separate but equal” doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson in an 1896 Supreme Court decision that ruled racially segregated

The Civics Teacher or the Seditionist? We’ll Decide

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The Gettysburg area lies in PA Senate District 33. We are currently represented by Doug Mastriano, who has been in the seat since June 2019. He’s most famous for his attempts to overturn the 2020 Presidential election results and his related leadership role in the January 6th riot. His opponent is Cameron Schroy of Greencastle, a lifelong

Project 2025, Trump’s Agenda, and Reproductive Rights

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Project 2025, the playbook for Trump’s second term agenda, reflects his goals to grow his base of fundamentalist evangelical Christians and to cement the authoritarian powers of the presidency. A recent CBS News Analysis revealed that 28 of the 38 primary authors of Project 2025 worked in Trump’s administration and at least 270 of its

Trump is no patriot

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Lately, there have appeared a few lists of the so-called accomplishments of former President Donald Trump. This presents an opportunity to ask a question: Which of Trump’s achievements or promises is the one that allows his supporters to disregard, diminish, or pardon the events of and surrounding January 6, 2021?  That day should have been

Fears of an Authoritarian Regime

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For the first time in our history we have a Presidential candidate who has called for “military tribunals” to try cases against his opponents, both Republicans and Democrats. These people are to be arrested by a military squad. In his debate with Biden he called for Biden’s arrest if he is elected. He has informed

Don’t forget Senator Bob Casey

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This fall we have two new, strong local Democrat candidates running in the upcoming election:  Beth Farnham, who is challenging incumbent John Joyce for the huge 13th District U.S. Congressional seat, and Cameron Schroy, who is challenging incumbent Doug Mastriano for the 33rd District PA Senate seat. Both Beth and Cameron are well-worth supporting. But

Weird

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As I sat eating delicious scrambled eggs at the John Murtha Johnstown – Cambria County Airport while waiting for my opponent, Representative John Joyce, to speak, I wondered – what does this dermatologist from Altoona say to keep the good people of Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District voting against their own interests and putting him into

The Debate American’s Deserve

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After concluding the respective Republican and Democratic conventions, the electorate looks to September 10th for the first presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice-President Kamala Harris. Taking place on the eve of the sorrowful 23rd anniversary of 9/11, these candidates should agree to a debate format worthy of the great nation they seek

Choose civility

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One of my most prized possessions is, surprisingly, a bumper sticker.  The bumper sticker says, “Practice Civility.”  It has been on my bumper for around twenty years when I got it at a Howard County Library in Maryland.  Its message is more appropriate than ever as we have seen our nation descend into road rage,

Trump’s frequent, mistaken claims about tariffs

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As president in 2018, Trump said, “When a country is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win.” He then imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum. Trump now says that

The U.S. Congress Should Enact a “Time of Questions” With The Executive Branch

connor joyce

In the United Kingdom, to promote transparency, honesty, and integrity, the Prime Minister and Parliament convene once a week to initiate a time dubbed “Questions to the Prime Minister.” This legally mandatory question-and-answer session lets parliament ask questions to the Prime Minister, who is obligated to respond truthfully and to the utmost of their abilities.

UASD parents ask board to do better

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Members of the UASD Board, We are parents of two Canners and care deeply for the future of our amazing public school as we are also products of it. We value education and recognize it is a shared responsibility of society, so we must work together for the greater good. We are saddened to hear

Walz’s selection represents systemic discrimination

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Minnesota governor Tim Walz would bring state executive office expertise, the ability to understand the working class, teaching experience, congressional exposure, and military familiarity to the White House. To me, Walz is clearly a superior option to anyone on the Trump-Vance ticket and is the result of a much-needed change in the Democratic Party presidential

What happened to HARB?

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The long-awaited drawings for the Gettysburg Station project were unveiled at the July 17th HARB meeting.  The developer’s architect presented modern style buildings appropriate for a suburban office park, and did not even attempt to use elements of design reflecting the historic look of Gettysburg.  It is possible to build new structures and have them

Hear ye, hear ye! (Dis)order in the Court!

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Americans’ confidence in the Supreme Court has dropped sharply in recent years to the lowest in Gallup’s nearly 50-years of polling. Even before the Court’s recent decisions, only 25 percent of U.S. adults have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in the Supreme Court. It was 50 percent as recently as 2002.

Why I support Kamala Harris

beth farnham

With a grace and humility that convicted felon Donald Trump has never known, President Biden has ended his campaign to be re-elected, then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. Vice President Harris brings not only a fresh energy to the top of the Democratic ticket, she brings her whip-smart intellect as a former prosecutor, her electability

A good man who did the right thing

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I was driving home from the Giant on Sunday when I was saddened by the news that I had been hoping to hear. Joe Biden had just released a letter saying that he had chosen not to run for reelection “in the best interest of my party and the country.” I’d been hoping to hear

A plague of double standards

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As the nation, including much of the press, drills down to every.single.performance. of President Biden in zealous endeavors to gauge his mental acuity, I am constantly reminded of the French fairytale, or nightmare really, “The Animals Sick of the Plague” by Jean de la Fontaine. If you are not familiar with the story, its premise

Project 2025: The Census

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A lot of attention has been given lately to Project 2025, a 900+ page blueprint for a second Trump administration produced by the collective efforts of many conservative activists and published by the Heritage Foundation. The report is highly specific, addressing each federal agency on a program-by-program basis. It can be hard to sink your

PSEA President Commends School Funding Increases In State Budget

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Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) President, Aaron Chapin, issued a statement commending Gov. Josh Shapiro and lawmakers for securing a bipartisan state budget that includes significant investments in public education. The budget includes a historic increase in K-12 education funding and over a billion new state dollars for Pennsylvania’s public schools. This significant investment is

Democrats Can Defeat Trump Only if They Come Together

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American humorist Will Rogers once famously said “I’m not a member of any organized party. I’m a Democrat.” As a lifelong Democrat, that quote has always bothered me because it can ring true. Organizing Democrats can be like herding cats, and organizing effectively to defeat would-be-despot Donald Trump is our biggest challenge right now. I

My Daddy’s Soul

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I am mesmerized watching the homage ceremony of the elderly, the surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipients of WWII. Nobly, they file in to blaring martial music, flags waving ceremoniously, and thousands of people on their feet. The eldest soldier, in his 90’s, ambles unassisted to his seat. Aside from tears of pride, I feel

Opinion Letter About UASD and ILC

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I write to ask that all residents of the Upper Adams School District consider attending the Upper Adams School District School Board meeting on Tuesday, 16 July, 2024 at 7:00pm. The location is not set yet, but it will likely be in the Biglerville High School Auditorium, 161 North Main St, Biglerville, PA 17307, where

Stop ageism in the Biden campaign

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Ageism is one of the few discriminatory actions that is still rampant in our culture. Ageism is the discrimination against older people in all the various ways that one also discriminates against race, gender, women, and disabilities, to name a few. Using ageist beliefs to discount President Biden is a technique used to bring out hidden

Remembering my father

mark berg

2014 is the 70th anniversary of a change that altered the course of my life. I was eleven years old but I remember it very clearly. In early March 1954, my father met me as I stepped off the PTC “N” bus on my way home from Woodrow Wilson Junior High School in Northeast Philadelphia.

Support Defend the Guard Legislation in Pennsylvania

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My name is Neil Belliveau, and I am the Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Adams County. I am writing to advocate for the Defend the Guard legislation, a crucial initiative to ensure our National Guard members are deployed into combat zones only with a formal declaration of war by Congress, as mandated by the

Rezoning – Be informed, get involved

zoning changes

By Sue Cipperly, Gettysburg The Gettysburg Comprehensive Rezoning effort is needed.  Piecemeal adjustments over the years have left the zoning ordinance contradicting itself, or including parts that don’t work as written.  New uses have arrived in our world, and by Pennsylvania law, we need to decide where they can fit into our community. A small

Who benefits from tax cuts?

mark berg

In 1917, Thomas Adams, an advisor to the U.S. Treasury Department, said “modern taxation…is a group contest in which powerful interests vigorously endeavor to rid themselves or present or proposed tax burdens. It is…a hard game in which he who trusts wholly to economics, reason, and justice, will in the end retire beaten and disillusioned.”

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