Explore Altoona Looking for Support

Mark Ickes, Executive Director, and Patrick Schurr, Director of Partnership Development of Explore Altoona attended last Monday evening’s Williamsburg Borough Council meeting. 

Ickes talked about the ongoing situation with the Blair County Commissioners trying to decertify Explore Altoona as the county’s marketing organization. 

He said that at the September 17 meeting of the Blair County Commissioners, they voted 2-1 to decertify Explore Altoona, but could not do so without a public hearing.

Ickes said that he was unsure of when the public hearing would be held. 

He said in 2023, Blair County reached $371 million for direct visitor spending, which, he said, was comparable to pre-pandemic levels.

Ickes talked about the Lower Trail and Rails to Trail, “It is poised to become an extremely vital trail town, and Explore Altoona is pro-trail.”

Williamsburg Borough Mayor Ted Hyle said in appreciation for the work the organization has done for the town. “You have done a good job for us.”

No further discussion was held on the topic and as of the date of publication, Blair County Commissioners have not contacted the borough regarding the decertification process or reasoning.

Mayor Hyle said he was contacted by Penelec for use of their property, which the borough now owns, to store some materials for an upcoming project. The council approved the agreement with a motion by Paula Hamilton, and a second by Bruce Hamilton.

Borough Manager Joe Lansberry asked for council approval for Solicitor Nathan Karn to rewrite the renewal lease for youth baseball and football, with the renewal being at the same time every two years. 

Ordinance #416 for the police pension was voted on by a roll call vote with all council members voting yes for adoption. Ordinance #417, the new grass and lawn ordinance, was approved via roll call by all council members.

Valerie Wyland-Prough and Sue Houck were in attendance to ask for permission for an upcoming pickleball tournament. 

They said pickleball is becoming popular in Williamsburg with roughly 15-20 people playing regularly at the courts. The pair said the tournament will raise funds for a permanent net. “We want to know what we can do for the community,” Wyland-Prough said.

Borough granted permission for the tournament. 

Lansberry said that the council needs to spend the rest of its ARPA funds, about $50,000 after deductions. 

“There’s plenty of need,” Council President Ed Patterson said. 

The council voted to purchase four solar speed signs, a backpack blower, a pole saw, and a weedeater. 

The council also voted to have engineering firm, Stiffler McGraw, prepare an LSA Grant Application for a leaf vacuum for the borough. Bruce Hamilton made the motion with Paula Hamilton seconding, the motion passed.

Patterson announced that budget work for the 2025 borough budget will begin soon and encouraged members to bring ideas to the next meeting.

Trick or Treat will be held Thursday, October 3, beginning at 6 p.m.