BARBARA COLLURA
Opinionated Opinions
Only Here
OOOH!
A collection of articles about politics, government, and other things in and around Bethlehem, Delmar, and Albany, New York by or approved by Barbara Collura.
A Call for a Fairer, More Dynamic Letters to the Editor Process at the Albany Times Union
My recent experience submitting a letter to the Times Union has left me frustrated—and I doubt I'm alone. While I’ve had a few letters...
Return collaboration, respect to our politics
Published April 14, 2025 Albany Times Union
It Starts with Us: Moving Forward on November 6
It’s no secret we are a divided nation. While we have always had differing viewpoints, the current climate has intensified to the point...
The need to maintain public spaces on Delaware Ave.
June 12, 2024 Spotlight News I am writing to address a concern that has been troubling many residents and business owners in our...
Unveiling the Unexpected: Insights from a No Labels Delegate
In January of 2024, I found myself embracing a new role as a delegate for No Labels, drawn to their pragmatic approach and compelling...
Learn about Kenwood Ave project and make your voice heard
Spotlight News, Letter to the Editor, November 7, 2023 I recently watched a town meeting where they discussed proposed changes to Kenwood...
“If we don’t fix the political system nothing good will get done.”— Andrew Yang
April 29, 2022 Spotlight News The two-party system is not working for the American people. The duopoly is dividing us as a nation,...
Allow Independent Candidates
September 2023 Spotlight News The recent decision by the State Supreme Court to allow independent candidate Kellin Rowlands to remain on...
Letter to the Editor: Churchill's column misleads readers about "granny flats"
February 27, 2022 Times Union Albany, New York Chris Churchill accuses opponents of Governor Hochul’s proposal to eliminate single...
Letter to the Editor: Complete streets are not "one-size-fits-all"
January 30,2023 Times Union Albany, NY Your editorial “Truly ‘complete’ streets” once again emphasizes the TU’s support for complete...
Assessing the health of a non-profit board of directors
If you search the internet for examples of ineffective, inept, or malevolent non-profit board of directors, you are sure to come up with...
Change candidate petitioning rule to address virus dangers
Published February 17, 2021, Albany Times Union New York could take a big step to safeguard the people's ability to choose from a diverse...
Two bike lanes is too many for Delaware Avenue
Published July 29, 2021, Albany Times Union The article "'Road diet' election delayed," July 5, asserted that some residents and...
Change candidate petitioning requirements to address coronavirus dangers
Times Union Feb. 20, 2021 New York could take a big step to safeguard the people's ability to choose from a diverse field of candidates...
State better with more political parties
While Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included measures in his State of the State aimed at strengthening and expanding access to elections via...
Not seeing me and Julio down by the schoolyard
The past few weeks have been a crazy time for all of us. Both my husband and I are now working from home. My son, who had been studying...
Sam NY and ballot access
Bethlehem Spotlight, January 29, 2020 A recent Gallup poll found 42 percent of Americans identifying as political independents, and the...
LETTER to the EDITOR: Can we stop a moving train?
Bethlehem Spotlight, March 6, 2019 While there were public meetings on the narrowing of Delaware Avenue, to some degree it always felt...
LETTER to the EDITOR: ‘Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot…’
Bethlehem Spotlight, January 30, 2019 The landscape of our town is rapidly changing and by the end of 2019, Bethlehem may not look much...
Delaware Ave. Road diet vexes shop owners
Bethlehem Spotlight, July 17, 2019 DELMAR — Around a dozen Delmar business owners and town officials met on Tuesday, July 9 to discuss...