Letters: Grateful for State College’s immigration ordinance; Air National Guard proposal lacks transparency

Grateful for State College’s immigration ordinance

Thank you to our friends and neighbors on the State College Borough Council, for all of their work to devise, consider, and ultimately pass the “Welcoming Ordinance” last Monday, which legally codified that the Borough’s resources won’t be used to assist ICE with civil immigration enforcement.

I was fortunate to get to see much of the process, and hear the council members’ thoughts over the past few months. I saw how thoughtful each of them was in considering the nuances of the situation, and figuring out how best to help keep our community safe. It was abundantly clear how much each of them cares about our neighbors, and everyone who lives in the Borough. I also had the pleasure of meeting many of them, and learning a little about them as people, and have nothing but good things to say about each and every one of them.

I consider myself blessed to have such good-hearted, well-meaning and smart public servants on the local council protecting our best interests.

I know that there is more work to be done, one ordinance is not the end of the line, but it is a true blessing to know the people who will be involved in this process, and to know that they will do what they can to ensure that we are safe and protected.

So, from the bottom of my heart: Thank you.

Nicholas Dudek, State College

Air National Guard proposal lacks transparency

For nearly 80 years, the dedicated men and women of the 193rd Air Operations Group/112th Air Control Squadron have quietly safeguarded our nation from their home in State College. They have supported critical national security missions around the world while answering the call here at home, serving Centre County during blizzards, the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies.

Now, Pennsylvania Air National Guard leadership has reportedly proposed to relocate the unit — and its 130 full- and part-time jobs — to the Philadelphia area. Despite multiple requests, neither state nor federal officials have produced a single document explaining or justifying the decision. Each points to the other, but neither accepts responsibility.

That silence matters because this proposal carries real costs. It weakens operational readiness during the transition, strips Centre County of skilled jobs and significant economic activity, and reduces the region’s ability to respond to domestic emergencies. It also risks forcing highly trained local service members and civilian employees from careers they have built over decades while asking Pennsylvania taxpayers to fund an unnecessary and disruptive move.

Philadelphia will not lack military support without this unit. Centre County, however, can ill afford another economic blow after the closures of Rockview and the Quehanna Boot Camp. These airmen have just returned from deployment in Operation Epic Fury. They deserve transparency, not uncertainty.

I urge our elected officials to demand answers and ask Governor Shapiro to reject this short-sighted proposal before lasting damage is done.

Jim Stuhltrager, State College

Milk options at schools don’t reflect students’ needs

The decision to bring whole and 2% milk back to school lunches reflects the influence of the dairy industry more than the needs of today’s students.

Millions of Americans — particularly people of color — are lactose intolerant, making cow’s milk an unsuitable choice for many children. At the same time, nutritious plant-based milks such as soy, oat and pea are widely available and can meet students’ nutritional needs without excluding those who cannot digest dairy.

Schools should provide meals that are healthy, inclusive and reflective of today’s diverse student population. Continuing to prioritize dairy over plant-based alternatives ignores both public health and the growing demand for more compassionate food choices.

If we truly want school nutrition programs to serve every child, plant-based milk should be treated as a standard option — not an afterthought.

Carmine Damiano, State College

‘Trump’s War’ a dangerous distraction

President Trump’s decision to resume military hostilities with Iran deserves to be called what it is: Trump’s War. This conflict is not only strategically dangerous but politically convenient. At a moment when public pressure continues for greater transparency regarding the remaining Epstein files, the sudden focus on war has shifted the national conversation away from the missing or redacted files. Whether intentional or not, the effect has been to crowd out accountability.

The double standard is equally striking. During President Biden’s administration, Republicans loudly denounced federal spending and warned that every major initiative would deepen the national debt. Yet those same voices have fallen completely silent as this military campaign reportedly costs taxpayers billions of dollars each day —money our nation can ill afford while our debt continues to climb and Republicans howled that the nation could ill afford a mere $60 billion for citizen healthcare when the Iran war costs $20B per day!

It is small wonder that Trump’s approval rating has now fallen to among the lowest of any President in the history of approval polls. Trump’s approval rating has now fallen so low it is within the range of Nixon’s when he resigned in disgrace. Considering Trump’s ill-tempered and scandalous behavior and his deliberate lack of action of the economy, I still cannot figure out how anyone at all can approve of this behavior or his job performance.

William J. Rothwell, State College