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Taking steps to win battle over blight

A sports team that finds itself on the losing end of the scoreboard early in a game must strive to identify and fix quickly what has caused its bad start, before the score is too lopsided in the other team’s favor. The Altoona Redevelopment Authority is facing a similar challenge regarding blighted properties but, unlike what many sports teams must admit, it is not to blame for the uphill battle that lies ahead. Time is one of the culprits necessitating the authority’s new mission, as well as property owners who, for whatever reason, allowed their residences to deteriorate to the ...

Education state across globe is concerning

There are times when information emerges that not only is unexpected but, instead, downright shocking. Similarly, there are instances when new findings merely confirm what people — experts as well as many individuals not regarded as experts — long have anticipated. A front-page report in Wednesday’s Mirror was an example of the latter — on a topic relevant not only in the United States, but throughout the world. The information contained in that article should serve as a guideline in terms of avoiding the unwanted situation ever again. Actually, there is too much at stake. ...

Pearl Harbor will always be stark reminder

With the ongoing warfare between Israel and Hamas in Gaza capturing so much of the world’s attention, as well as developments surrounding Ukraine’s continuing struggle against Russia, it is understandable that some Americans might find it difficult to shift their attention today to the start of a war 82 years ago. However, what occurred on Dec. 7, 1941 — the day of Japan’s surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii — needs to remain ingrained in Americans’ minds in this dangerous time. There can be no assurance that America never again will be the ...

Don’t delay in divesting from China

A Republican legislator is spearheading a long-overdue effort to end state investment in companies controlled by the government of China. “For too long, Pennsylvania has invested hundreds of millions in government funds to a regime that continues to trample human rights,” state Sen. Doug Mastriano, former Republican nominee for governor, said to explain his initiative. China’s abuses are well-documented — from the erosion of self-rule and any hope for democracy in Hong Kong, Tibet and Taiwan to persecution of Tibetan Buddhists, Muslim Uyghurs and political dissidents and ...

As Christmas nears, guard against fires

“Tis the Season” were the words superimposed over the photo of the Nov. 22 front-page Mirror article “Local tree farms opening for Christmas season.’ Christmas is supposed to be — and is — a joyous time of the year for most area families, businesses and other entities of myriad kinds. And, if all peoples of the world could be as festive and generous during the other 364 days of the year as they are on Christmas Day, this planet would be a much better place. Still, unfortunately, there is a worrisome side of the holiday season that need not be so worrisome, if people ...

Authority’s approach makes sense

The Altoona Parking Authority is using the right approach in its attempt to bring in an outside company to manage parking in the downtown area of the city. Despite not being required to issue a general request for proposals — because the need only is for management services — the authority has decided correctly to invite proposals from a few companies in order to compare with a proposal already received from a Dallas-based company. Municipalities that invite comparisons to try to ensure getting the best proposal and service possible at the best price available exhibit the kind of ...