Graveyards should be a public trust

Mourners know the value of visiting a gravesite. But what about graves of generations past, when no family comes to visit? That’s when neglect often sets in.

Cities like Boston and Philadelphia that have wisely maintained their historic burial grounds are a beacon for visitors who learn about our nation’s history as they visit the sites.

We could do the same thing here.

Our throw-away society is poisoning itself: If you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem

Litter is not just a consumer-created problem; manufacturers need to take responsibility for what they produce. A dog bone, for example, doesn’t need to be packaged in plastic. Recycling programs are essential but more can be done to curb consumerism in our throw-away society.

People with paralysis who have pushed through their difficulties need a system that gives them better support and helps them flourish

Jim Ambrose put it succinctly and forcefully: “The healthcare industry needs to come up with a different paradigm,” he said. The industry, he correctly explained, is geared almost entirely toward “short-term traumatic disability: you break your arm, break your leg, and then it goes away.” It’s not geared toward caring for people with any long-term conditions, including paralysis, multiple sclerosis, or cerebral palsy. That needs to change.

Archaeology can help us uncover our past — but only if we preserve the sites

We hope others see the value in preserving the sites that hold clues to our past so that future generations will know from whence we came.

We need to invest in child care for the good of our children and our economy

Investing in child care is popular, good politics, and good for the economy.

Inclusion means everyone is seated at the table, able to benefit from one another

We’re not going to apply a harsh term to the four zoning board members who voted against the halal market. Rather, we would encourage them along with the residents who spoke out against the market to get to know their Muslim neighbors, to sample their food, to understand why halal is important to them, much as keeping kosher is important to some of their Jewish neighbors.

Digging deep to find the truth and serve the public

Noah Zweifel’s job is not an easy one. He does it with care and insight, and manages to write with grace.

From the editor: Buhl and LaPlant retirements are unrelated to café accusations

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The retirement of Maria Buhl and Kim LaPlant from their decades of work at the Guilderland Public Library have nothing to do with the controversy caused by the Café con Mel’s accusations of racism.

The sooner the truth is known, the better for the library, for the Café con Mel, and for the public

Sometimes, when swimming in the Sea of Knowledge, it is necessary to tread water. Rather than jumping to conclusions, we need to have more information.