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City search becoming elusive one

Altoona City Council is correct in its reluctance to rush into naming a permanent city manager, but a question hovers over the hiring issue. That question is: Is there anything about Altoona that is a turn-off to candidates with the experience and mettle to address this community’s various issues and unfinished business while maintaining a positive working relationship with the personalities elected to correctly oversee the city’s well-being? Perhaps there are no turn-offs, but the puzzlement logically persists about why that right individual still has not surfaced, especially ...

For mandated reporters, there is no gray area

Last weekend’s front-page Mirror article “No gray area for mandated reporters” should have been a must-read for everyone, since virtually everyone has indirect or direct contact with children. The article in question should have “opened a lot of eyes” regarding safeguards already in place to combat or address unseemly situations that could endanger or damage a child’s life and possibly have negative implications even after that child reaches adulthood. However, the article also exposed possible issues that, if addressed, could help in the battle against dangerous people ...

Amtran growth encouraging

Altoona’s Amtran bus service has goals described as longer-term that include expansion to industrial centers in Morrisons Cove and Claysburg. That would be a logical step for the not-too-distant future, now that expansion of service to the north is proving successful. As many readers might recall, the Mirror reported on March 21 that Amtran envisions expanding its current Tyrone service to six days a week from three days, based on the level of ridership that has evolved since last August, when three-day service replaced a pilot program of Saturdays-only service. The coming ...

On Easter, let Christ’s message never grow old

Easter should be a time of great joy, fulfillment and celebration, consumed by the knowledge and appreciation of Christ’s victory over death. Unfortunately, this year, Easter seems destined to be somewhat less than that, when there is reflection and contemplation regarding this planet’s big picture. As in other years, on Easter morning, it is true that most faithful will flock to services inside churches in the spirit of love and hope, while others will attend Easter sunrise worship services outdoors amid the same spirit, if weather permits. Regardless of where a ...

Firefighters’ training paying off

Volunteer firefighters’ training activities usually go unnoticed, but in reality their training goes on practically nonstop every time they enter their fire station, even for routine chores. That is why when they were looking virtually in the eye an inferno like they encountered last Monday at the U.S. Lumber Distribution Center in Claysburg, they knew immediately what they needed to do to launch their battle against the flames and, while the fight was being waged, protect themselves and their firefighting comrades from injury or worse. All 20-plus fire departments called to battle ...

City should keep fight vs. blight

As most people who closely follow Altoona- and Blair County-related news reports know, blight is an on-again, off-again topic. The topic will surface and stay in the spotlight for days or weeks, then retreat while some other issue or issues take center stage. But the topic’s eventual re-emergence from a hibernation-like existence usually delivers the message that the issue really has not been forgotten or ignored — that it has been undergoing another thought process, despite no further official action having been voted upon. Again, the challenge involves moving the issue ...