Our Newest Sponsor

It's my distinct pleasure to welcome Dora Ferry Accounting Tax Services to ILoveAltoona.com as our newest Sponsor! They are located on Maple Avenue in Altoona and work with both individuals and businesses, covering a wide range of services including tax preparation, accounting, payroll services, and much more. In addition, they are offering free e-filing for customers using their tax preparation service. If you are looking for an accountant or tax preparer, please consider Dora Ferry and her team.

- Matt

Win Every Day is Back!

I'm excited to announce that one of our most popular features is returning to ILoveAltoona.com! Win Every Day will begin Monday, December 1! The ILoveAltoona Prize Patrol will begin locating bumper stickers and yard signs around the community. Once a week, we'll post our winners on the Win Every Day page. All you have to do is let us know you're the winner and we'll get the day's prize out to you. You can win concert tickets, gift certificates, and more!

Check back Monday for next week's winners!

- Matt

Black Friday Breakfast!

Have you ever eaten at Tino's VIP Pizza on Pleasant Valley Boulevard? It's one of my family's favorites. I was over there the other day talking to Miles (the owner), and he let me know that Black Friday, November 28, he will be opening for midnight breakfast. (Thanksgiving night at midnight.) So if you are one of those early (or late night) shoppers, you might want to stop in for a cup of coffee, breakfast, or even some pizza! (He'll have it all.) A high percentage of you who answered our recent poll about supporting local businesses said you'll make an effort to do so. I'll bet much of your Friday shopping will be at chain stores -- so if you can, stop by a local business like Tino's (or many others) on Black Friday.

ALSO -- Tino's has an incredible coupon deal that expires in a few days. Click here to print it off!

- Matt

Budget Time Part 2

The major challenge that the City of Altoona is facing during its budgeting process is a 17% increase in health insurance premiums next year. This cost increase alone is approximately half a million dollars. While the City has attempted to shop around for comparable coverage (we need to provide comparable coverage due to union contracts), we've been "locked in" to our current vendor because other companies don't offer similar coverage.

The outstanding rise in health insurance is an issue that is touching on many aspects of the economy. The fact that cities may need to eliminate public safety positions due to health insurance costs literally exploding is a shame. I'm not writing this as a political commentary but more as just an observation that it is a major issue.

Altoona Council had no problem coming up with a balanced budget this year because we have had several good years and there is a small amount of money in reserve -- but it is with reluctance we needed to dip into that a bit to avoid cutting services (there has already been fairly significant staff reduction over the past five years). We have five new police officers thanks to a state grant, and we're attempting to keep on top of the drug and crime problems.

Heading into 2009, City Council (and our community in general) would be wise to consider additional ways to fund our essential City services -- police, fire, public works, codes, etc. ILoveAltoona.com from its inception has been a place for ideas. So I'd like to invite you to begin a many months-long dialogue with me, and with others here, on how we can not just be a "run of the mill" city, but one whose citizens actively involve themselves in finding answers.

- Matt

Cheffrey's for Breakfast

Cheffrey's, located on 12th street in downtown Altoona, is now open for breakfast! Opening up at 7:30 a.m., they offer a convenient (and tasty) array of breakfast options (including the Cheffrey's Special) for sit down or take-out. If you want a good breakfast in the morning, stop by. Or, call ahead to 201-2036.

- Matt

Cheffrey's is one of ILoveAltoona.com's sponsors. To support ILoveAltoona.com, please visit our sponsors and let them know you read about them on ILoveAltoona.com! Or, become a sponsor yourself and get more exposure for your business in the Altoona area! Contact us for info.

Budget Time

It's budget time at City Council! Each year the City staff draws up a preliminary budget with the Council reviewing it and ultimately approving an official budget for the upcoming year. Last year (2007) the City had a very good year that ended in a surplus, and we continue to monitor 2008's revenue and expenditures. However, we have some challenges for budgeting for 2009 as health insurance costs and other expenses continue to rise.

The bulk of the City's general fund revenue comes from taxes, of course, but also a good bit from various fees and services. If the number of construction projects drop, or the population drops, or average incomes in the City slide, our revenue can take a hit. Yet much of what the City provides is what we consider "essential services" -- police, fire, public works and code enforcement.

As we prepare another balanced budget (we are required to do so by state law -- I wish the feds would hold to this standard too), I'd like to get your minds thinking toward 2009. What additional ways might the City draw in revenue? Do you have any ideas on how to make additional money for the City or creative ways to save money? Please comment on this blog post or go to the Community Idea Center and share your ideas!

- Matt

Updates

Monday is Day 6 of the "Staycation". (Click here to follow the latest from the Staycationers.) In other news, a vice presidential nominee visited Altoona this weekend and experienced the "Super Sheetz" on 17th Street. Sarah Palin and some of her family stopped by after a Johnstown rally. (See report.)