Protecting farmland benefits us all

We urge the Knox Town Board to forward the proposal to the state and urge the Department of Agriculture and Markets to fund the study. This could serve as a model for many communities as sprawl gobbles up acres of farmland.

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Each one of us should read the Constitution and be vigilant to see it is followed. Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and progressives alike need to understand the importance of the Constitution — its importance transcends party lines and cultural differences.

Vaccine protection is a grave matter

One of the lessons we learned during the pandemic was about the collective good.

In the same way that factories in, say, Ohio can cause acid rain that kills fish in the Adirondacks, we learned that infection does not follow state lines or national borders.

How to make a nuisance into an asset

So, rather than a short-term fix — beavers typically return after some have been shot or trapped — Knox may now have a long-term solution. The beaver colony will prosper without damage to human structures and the wetlands will continue to recharge groundwater, maintain biological diversity, produce nutrients, and provide habitat for many creatures — sustaining Knox residents and delighting birdwatchers.

Albany County jobs program offers a ticket to society

McCoy said to those who “did time in jail” or who “just didn’t like education” — “we’ve got you covered. We have you. We have you … You’ve just got to be willing to take the first step.” We second those words — take the first step; there’s no telling where the journey may lead you.

E pluribus unum

The health-care professionals made it clear that we all will suffer with these federal cuts. Fewer people will be vaccinated, spreading disease to everyone. More people will go to emergency rooms for conditions that could have been prevented thereby increasing premiums and hospital fees for everyone.

How to find a lifeline when you need it

What have we learned from Donna’s story? What are the lessons that apply to people who haven’t had a mastectomy?

Let’s level the playing field so all kids have a shot at success

While we were thrilled to report on the good that comes with these volunteer efforts to shape not just winning players but confident, capable, and caring human beings, we also looked at the larger picture — beyond Bethlehem and Guilderland — and found some troubling trends. Baseball for youth, like many sports, is increasingly being privatized for profit.