As most people who closely follow Altoona- and Blair County-related news reports know, blight is an on-again, off-again topic.

The topic will surface and stay in the spotlight for days or weeks, then retreat while some other issue or issues take center stage.

But the topic’s eventual re-emergence from a hibernation-like existence usually delivers the message that the issue really has not been forgotten or ignored — that it has been undergoing another thought process, despite no further official action having been voted upon. Again, the challenge involves moving the issue forward, rather than allowing it to retreat into limbo.

For example:

– On Jan. 23, the Mirror reported the city might create a position to target blight. The city council reached a consensus on hiring an executive director for the Redevelopment Authority/Land Bank, a position reportedly vacant “for a couple of generations.”

– The Feb. 17-18 edition reported that the battle against blight was shifting to rehabilitation, rather than over-emphasizing demolition. The article focused initially on what was described as a long-derelict home at 21st Avenue and 14th Street in the city’s Fairview section, then reported later that “the plan now is for the city to be the developer from beginning to end for several properties.” The plan is for using money recouped from the sale of homes renovated under the repair initiative to further sustain the program — an excellent intention.

– “City considering 2 new blight initiatives” was the headline over an article published on March 1. According to the article, one effort will be aimed at helping responsible property owners comply with codes, while the other will be designed to ensure that irresponsible owners are held to account. The article reported Councilman Dave Butterbaugh’s comment that “we need to get rid of the bottom-level landlords.”

The March 1 article, which centered in part on the formation of an advisory committee, delivered the important message, in the words of Councilman Dave Ellis, “the old days are over.”

Ellis said as the months go by “we’re going to increase the heat on the people who need that heat created.”

Ellis was correct in declaring that people who come to the Mountain City to make legitimate investments in real estate should be welcomed, but people who come to Altoona to cause problems should be addressed aggressively.

The challenge for the city is to deliver that message carefully, however, so there is no misunderstanding about this community’s overall good intentions. Messages also must not create a misconception that the city is being undermined by a flood of bad landlords. It is not.

There are many good landlords here but, unfortunately, there also are some who local officials would rather see renting properties somewhere else.

It must be acknowledged that Altoona’s blight is not unlike that which other cities are dealing.

Other Pennsylvania cities have the same problem, perhaps problems of a larger scale, and officials in those cities harbor opinions — unpleasant opinions — similar to some of those being voiced here.

What must always be kept in mind, though, are the broad negative ramifications of this creeping cancer that, in reality, should be easier to prevent than to heal.

Keep the pressure on, in the battle against blight. Not only will the city itself benefit, but also the thousands of people who reside here whose property values are at stake.