(BY MATT GARBER) Welcome to 2010! In two days, I conclude my four year term on City Council, as the new Councilmen get inaugurated Monday morning. Last spring I decided not to run for a second term in the 2009 election cycle. I am now about to step out of my role as a public official. But I plan to step UP my efforts for the City. Here’s why:
- I am passionate for our community. Altoona is not worth investing in because it is better than, or worse than, other cities. Altoona is worth investing in because it is a city (like all cities) made up of people who are created in God’s image. People make up families; families make up neighborhoods; and neighborhoods make up cities. If we don’t care for our neighbors, who will? There are many places I can serve, but why not serve in my own back yard? Many Altoonans do this and our community is better for it.
- I believe that spiritual renewal is necessary. Does that sound radical? Far-fetched? Stop a minute. Why do people commit crimes? Vandalize property? Cheat on employers? Become lazy? Treat employees like dirt? Most of Altoona’s problems are not from the outside. We can’t blame everything on government, or lack of government, or big city drug dealers — though we have to deal with many of these problems head-on. And yes, there are many factors that lead to destructive behavior. But I believe in a God who changes hearts. And as He changes hearts, our city will change also.
- I believe that truth is better than lies, and caring action is better than apathy. Do you agree? That’s why ILoveAltoona.com exists. We’ll take multiple points of view, we’ll engage in spirited discussion, but what we really get sick of is complaints with no good ideas, no fresh approaches, and no willingness to act. I don’t care if you’re liberal, conservative or apathetic to politics. But do you want Altoona to be a better place? Do you care about your family, or your neighborhood, or your kid’s school? Then I want your voice on this site.
What does this year have in store for our community? I’m not sure, but at ILoveAltoona.com we plan to be in the middle of it. Are you on board? Comment below, join our Facebook page, sign up for our email list, and stay tuned…
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Matt Garber,
As I read your comments I could not find myself agreeing more. But the sobering part is, it reminded me that was the crux of my campaign as I ran for mayor! I felt the success and vitality of the community was within the people. I still do. I just pray that was not the reason I failed in my attempt to become mayor.
Regardless, I will be continuing in that direction also!
PEACE & Shalom,
Jan Mills, Sr.
Matt, I am on board 100%. Please do not hesitate to call upon me for any help you or the community needs. May God richly bless us in 2010.
First off I would like to see Altoona do a better job at replacing missing road signs and also labeling intersections with street names esp. on plank rd, pleasant valley, blvd, and Logan blvd, to name a few. I would like to see the parking lots made safe maybe like they have in State College with trees restricting access to certain points to keep people from cutting through the center of parking lots, also New business should be required to plant some trees to help cut down on the pollution and be required to offer Recycling bins with their trash bins. Altoona should also look into installing the crosswalk singles with traffic lights at all intersections plus install those traffic sensors that were recently installed on plank road, and one last thing with that Altoona should look into the installation of those Emergency signals on all traffic lights like the two installed by the Altoona Regional Altoona Hospital Campus the help change traffic lights for emergency vehicles in their direction. Also I like the fact that Altoona is going these Gateway projects however I am a little confused about them like the 6th and 7th avenue one I am a little surprised that 7th avenue was not finished up to at least the new junior high school and when the 4th street projects starts why its wouldn’t go from chestnut all the way to 25th avenue instead of just 22nd street. I did read on the http://www.Altoonapa.gov website about future gateway projects on chestnut avenue, 17th street, and plank rd/Pleasant valley/Valley View Blvds with I think is great but I think they should be completed not partially done like the 6/7th avenue project. And finally I wonder why the traffic lights in State College blink after 10pm in many non busy intersections but they do not in Altoona. Wonder if State College is saving money this way in today’s economy every penny counts? I am not trying to be harsh but that’s what I would like to see happen in Altoona.