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All considered, the Blair County Community Action Program probably will be better off under the eventual control of the Everett-based Center for Community Action than as it currently exists.
The bulk of Blair residents probably have been unaware of how much the local agency's problems have worsened. Mirror readers who read all of reporter William Kibler's Jan. 6-7 article now have a better perspective of to what extent the Blair agency has devolved.
Those who have recognized the local agency's value over the years might have felt shaken by some of what they read last weekend, while trying to fathom what thing or things might have triggered CAP's problems, which might better be described as a downward spiral.
Meanwhile, the Everett-based agency apparently is performing its various missions competently and dedicated to excellence. Not only is it serving clients in Bedford County and already some in Blair, but its "arms" also reach into Cambria, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin and Somerset counties.
Compare with some of the Jan. 6-7 article's description of what has existed at the Blair agency:
-- Locked doors during business hours, with people seeking help thus needing to call and seek appointments, rather than receive assistance immediately.
-- Calls and emails not returned.
-- Failure to provide explanatory automated responses to callers when an employee was out of the office, causing delays in making needed contacts for whatever the problems.
-- Resignations of the finance director and executive director, positions necessary for order and smooth functioning of the agency and its services to be maintained.
Former Blair CAP board member Jesse Ickes provided the following troubling description of the Blair agency: "I've never seen an organization be so poorly run from a management and board (standpoint)."
Ickes went on to allege that Blair CAP was not serving the poor of the area adequately for years -- a troubling stain on the county's reputation.
Right or wrong, Ickes blamed "poor or lazy management" for the problems that evolved and, unfortunately, that blame needs to extend to the board, which had an obligation to address problems quickly, fairly and correctly, immediately upon being identified.
It is accurate to conclude that Blair CAP has only itself to blame for the difficult-to-correct mess that exists.
According to the Jan. 6-7 article, about a year will be necessary before the Everett-based agency's takeover of the Blair entity is complete, although CCA already has assumed some management responsibilities. Things preventing a full takeover now include grant contracts that need to be fulfilled, according to Lisa Hann, Blair CAP board president.
Early on, Kibler's article makes the point "the acquisition will help the organizations serve Blair County residents more effectively." CCA already has an experienced staff in place; quality service should be easy for it.
However, putting the Blair agency under control of the Bedford service is not being embraced unanimously, and that opposing opinion deserves to be heard also. Former Blair CAP board member Dave Ellis, who disagrees with the takeover, said he was uncomfortable with the prospect of a Bedford County agency being charged with addressing Altoona's best interests.
With about a year before the takeover goes into effect, there is adequate time for avoiding mistakes.