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Letters

Science and compassion

As a physician I have had the unique privilege of caring for genderqueer members of my community for nearly a decade. But as a Panamanian-American, my appreciation for gender diversity can be traced back millennia. As we prepare to celebrate 250 years of national independence, it is worth pausing to remember that for over 20,000 years, thousands of distinct tribal nations flourished on the very land we now call home. Early European explorers identified new plants, animals, languages, and cultures very different from their own. They were introduced to gender diversity, with indigenous ...

Focus on consistent application

I respectfully reject any suggestion that my position regarding the Lycoming Mall development has been motivated by the ethnicity, religion, national origin, or background of any applicant. Throughout my service as a Muncy Township Supervisor, my focus has been on the consistent application of municipal procedures, land development requirements, and Township ordinances. Those standards should apply equally to every applicant who comes before the Township, regardless of who they are. Reasonable people may disagree about development proposals, public policy, or the interpretation of ...

Showing up matters

I recently attended a meeting in Wellsboro with Ray Bilger, the Democratic candidate challenging Congressman Glenn Thompson in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District. Whether voters ultimately support him or not, I was most impressed by one simple thing: he showed up. For years, I have asked Congressman Glenn Thompson’s office to hold town halls closer to my area. His district is geographically large, and many constituents live far from his offices. I have signed up for tele-town halls and repeatedly asked for more opportunities to engage directly, but I have never received a ...

We’re getting our pockets picked

Every president since Richard Nixon has released his tax returns, but in February 2016, during his first presidential campaign, Donald Trump refused, claiming that he could not do so because he was being audited. (Note: The IRS has automatically audited every president’s tax returns since the 1970s, and no regulation exists that prohibits anyone, including the president, from releasing their returns anytime, even during an audit.) He has not released his tax returns to this day, but in the late 20-teens, an IRS contractor named Charles E. Littlejohn leaked 15 years of Trump’s tax ...

Baseball is the heart of Williamsport

With opening day for the Williamsport Crosscutters fast approaching on June 2 at Historic Bowman Field, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and correspondent Mike Reuther. Their May 6 front-page article, “At 100 years old, historic Bowman Field evokes memories,” beautifully covered the recent Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) meeting at the James V. Brown Library. The local SABR chapter has now completed five years of preserving and uplifting our rich baseball traditions. The recent meeting perfectly highlighted this mission, featuring ...

Music in the park

Welcome back to a music extravaganza in Brandon Park! May it be the new beginning of a summer musical and performance series. Some forty years ago I had the opportunity and privilege of scheduling park events throughout the city for the Williamsport Recreation Commission. My position of cultural coordinator was cosponsored by the Williamsport School District. The programs included a variety of music genre along with on stage-the bandshell — and tent theatre. My predecessors, Doris Heller and Walt Straiton, had previously arranged regular weekend programs and special events.   I ...