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.

July is followed by December

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

 One lesson to take from the tragic loss of life during the July 4 floods in Texas hill country is that people in remote areas were not alerted to the danger in time. We urge Albany County to work with its municipalities including Guilderland, but especially in the Helderberg Hilltowns, which suffered so with Irene and where internet communication is often spotty, to come up with a workable system to inform residents of impending dangers.

Discerning truth is essential for maintaining democracy

“In many ways, the power of journalism and its critical roles as monitor and watchdog sustain us and motivate us, wherever we are. We draw upon those common struggles and challenges, and the persistence to endure, to connect with our colleagues around the world.”

Planting history

This was not a re-enactment of the shot heard round the world, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War. Rather, this was a re-enactment of a simple task that no doubt happened in our midst in 1775, if not on April 19 surely on days before and after.

Street psychiatry in Albany County will provide a much needed safety net

We commend Albany County for a street psychiatry program launched as a pilot program last week and urge support to make it grow and flourish. The psychiatry program is the next step on the progressive path that Albany has chosen to stop the triple scourge of mental illness, drug addiction, and homelessness.

Preservation of the Pine Bush provides a lesson in democracy

Since our democracy is a government of the people, her account provides a useful lesson on how messy democracy can be. Jackson’s story is one of citizens pushing for preservation, sometimes suing the government, so that, ultimately, preservation was embraced by the government.

Our children cannot find their way without the freedom to read a variety of views

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Breathing is essential; we cannot live without it. So, too, is reading essential for a democracy; a democracy cannot survive without an informed citizenry.

Celebrate Juneteenth to make sure our history doesn’t disappear

This is a question each of us should ask ourselves: What have I done to make things better? Write us with your answers; maybe we’ll start a movement.