Everyone's Opinion Newsletter

Having now resided in Tyrone for a number of years, I've seen the effects that a few different approaches in administration have had on the borough. For me, the draw to Tyrone was, precisely, the bedroom community aspect. Upon arriving, however, it soon became apparent that the community had deep-seated issues relative to, most formidably, crime and economic crisis. Those issues created a stagnancy that permitted, through inaction, propagation of myriad additional difficulties. As a borough, getting by was a task; looking forward was difficult at best.

It seemed as though there was a general sense of overwhelm in both the administration and the population. As a result, crime occurred, but was not broadly discussed or effectively addressed. The effects of local economic downturns were felt, but change was utterly lacking. An understanding of the borough's role in the larger scheme of today's national and global economic societies was non-existent. In general, a static, isolationist situation became seemed somewhat the norm, with the exception of the occasional knee-jerk reaction to a specific situation. Enter Mayor Kilmartin.

First, don't misunderstand: I'm not spearheading a campaign to canonize our mayor. Change is only possible through concerted community effort, with a caveat: that effort is only met with success through effective and proper leadership. This is key.

Over the past few years, it has become apparent that a proactive course of thinking has begun to take place in Tyrone. We are no longer responding to community-wide issues in a retroactive fashion. Crime is discussed openly, and though it exists, it does not flourish in the same ways that were unfortunately permitted at the time of my relocation. This is the result of planning rather than reacting. Our community has begun to unite publicly over issues that concern us all rather than standing stoically by and maintaining an uncomfortable status quo.

Yes, there are a number of factors outside the community that act as determinants to the come-lately success of our borough: the completion of (at least half of) the I-99 corridor to State College along with continued growth and resultant expansion in both Altoona and State College have had the greatest impact. Those agents of change are only important if their potential is understood and capitalized upon. That has begun to occur.

I believe that Mayor Kilmartin's vision for Tyrone is healthy and well thought out. Politics is largely an awful business, even at local levels, which is why it is so difficult to be and so rare to find a true proponent of change. Many self-serving people talk loudly and achieve little. A good community life lesson is to listen to the few who speak quietly and contribute a great deal. Change is a long, arduous road to traverse and things can always be better, but looking back, I'm proud of how far we've come, where we are and most importantly, where we're now capable of going.

Brian

Tyrone, PA

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