Given that Altoona has had a black community for many years, it's almost hard to believe that it's taken until 2009 for the city to have a black member of City Council.
But that's the case with the May 13 appointment of William Lightner, 49, to council.
Lightner is a respected member of not only the black community but the entire city of Altoona. He is the organizer of the local African-American Heritage Festival, which is a positive gathering that takes place at Penn State Altoona.
He is a family man who has been mentored by such respected community leaders as the Rev. Paul Johnson and pastor Calvin Edmonds.
Outgoing Mayor Wayne Hippo nominated Lightner, who was accepted by unanimous vote to replace Joe Rieker, who resigned after moving out of the city.
Diversity breeds different perspectives and a better understanding of cultures. We offer Lightner, Hippo and the entire council a thumbs-up for embracing that diversity.
Others worthy of thumbs-up and thumbs-down mention.
A local Odyssey of the Mind team representing the Altoona Area School District departs today for the world competition in Ames, Iowa.
The team is made up of fifth-graders from Juniata Gap and McAuliffe Heights elementary schools. Team members include Aaron Worley, Chris Wible, Sam Houk, Juan Gil and Zac Forrester. The team is coached by John Forrester.
The Altoona Area school board recently voted to pay up to $14,000 to provide transportation and lodging for the team.
We think that's a good idea. School districts often spend money sending sports teams to various venues, and we feel this opportunity - to be part of an elite-level competition - is worth this level of support. Thumbs up to the local team and the decision to defray its expenses.
Thumbs down to Thomas Prestash, the top administrator in PennDOT's 9-0 District office based in Hollidaysburg. Prestash was found to have made racially insensitive comments to a black employee. A Harrisburg judge determined that Prestash created a hostile work environment, and an eight-day trial resulted in PennDOT having to pay the victim's legal fees plus $75,000.
Thumbs-up to Jordan Miller of Central Cambria High School and Bishop Guilfoyle's Rachel Rea, who were chosen as the Mirror's 2008-09 Athletes of the Year. Other award winners included Tyrone's Jimmy Ferguson (Frank Kiraly Memorial Award, presented to the area's outstanding scholastic golfer); Altoona's Derek Gallardy (Erin Johnson Inspiration Award) and Central Cambria's Annie Cekada and Central's Derek Forshey (respective girls and boys recipients of the Ron Rickens Sportsmanship awards).