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There was much to like about Mayor Matt Pacifico's annual state-of-the-city report -- dealing with activities and accomplishments during 2022 -- that the mayor delivered at the Railroaders Memorial Museum on May 15.
City residents can feel a sense of pride over all that was achieved during those 12 months.
From the least significant item to the most significant, the items presented were deservedly upbeat and represented a building block for continued progress this year -- even beyond.
But there is an alternative conclusion that Pacifico's report can justify, despite all of the good things that the annual address contained and acknowledged. That other conclusion is that there also needs to be a frank, public acknowledgment of what is wrong with the city, no matter how unsettling such a report might be from a political, as well as a performance, standpoint.
Not only is such a suggestion justifiable for Altoona, but it also is apropos for other municipalities in Pennsylvania and beyond, large and small.
Really, the only way to attack problems aggressively is to first acknowledge the existence of those issues. Beyond acknowledging the problems' existence, the next step is to build momentum to solve them, within governmental offices and chambers and also, where possible, with the help of others -- people and groups -- within the community who have the manpower and motivation to join hands on the city's behalf.
Again, if a problem does not get front-and-center attention, there is a good chance that it might not be fixed, at least not as quickly as it otherwise might be.
Altoona has multiple resources through which great accomplishments can be forthcoming.
Actually, Pacifico alluded to the fact that much more work is needed on the city's behalf when he said, during the May 15 presentation, that he does not want "to be satisfied with things as they are."
While he probably was correct in reserving that day for highlighting what progress was made during the past year, he would have triggered well-intentioned anticipation if he also had announced in an upbeat way that another detailed report would be forthcoming about things that the city needs to tackle, including decisions that might be unpopular or, more accurately depicted, controversial.
Pacifico and other city leaders, past and present, were elected for their perceived problem-solving ability, as well as for their perceived ability to make the right decisions regarding the city's many assets.
It must be those leaders' constant intent to live up to that trust and confidence, even if that entails some tough stances and unhappy facial expressions along the way.
Acknowledging the bad as well as the good is the mark of good government, although many politicians on all levels of government would prefer cementing their focus on the good, rather than things that might reflect negatively on their service.
Numerous organizations and other entities have helped Altoona become the great city it has evolved into over the past six decades, having overcome numerous challenges and some notable setbacks. Indeed, it is safe to say that setbacks and new challenges will surface in the city's future.
But while some people might liken it to political suicide for public officials to extraordinarily highlight what is unfinished and what is bad, others will regard it as a sip of necessity and honesty to do that.
Pacifico should not hesitate to prepare such a report.