Wows and Scowls
Scowl: Connellsville’s mayor and two council members voted this week to cut off funding to the city’s volunteer fire department, New Haven Hose Co. The city has supported the department for 102 years, and in the past decade when it reduced its paid department from a 24-hour operation to daylight hours only, has relied heavily on New Haven as a first-responder. Granted Connellsville is in a similar position to many municipalities in being strapped for ready cash, but this was a poorly-thought-out move and one based more on politics and personalities than on the needs of the city.
Councilwoman Judy Keller in explaining that council must hold the line on spending and taxes said that New Haven is one of many “civic minded” volunteer organizations in the community.
Ms. Keller is mistaken. New Haven’s primary function is public safety. And government’s prime role is also public safety. For Connellsville’s council to claim it couldn’t find $20,000 or $25,000 in a $2.19 million budget to ensure its first-responders to accidents, fires, drownings and hazardous material spills have the proper training and equipment makes little sense.
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Wow: Fewer American teens are smoking than ever most likely because of tough enforcement laws that crack down on retailers selling to those under 18. Pennsylvania has a program in which teen-agers work with police in testing stores to find out if clerks are scrutinizing identification of young customers asking for cigarettes.
Now the state will take that same approach with alcohol. Gov. Schweiker earlier this month signed a bill that will allow young adults, ages 18 through 20, to work with state police in checking taverns and beer distributors to see if they are selling without carding. Fear of tougher enforcement, heavy fines and possible loss of licenses will most likely cause businesses that have been lax in checking identification to reevaluate.
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Wow: The Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority is attempting to chart a course to promote and build a stronger Central Business District. The authority is wise to involve the business community in gathering information and developing a plan that will appeal to those who hold a stake in downtown’s future. The DBDA has been in some turmoil and currently lacks a full-time director to manage its efforts. The board should be applauded for continuing with a quest to develop further its role in revitalizing Uniontown.
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Scowl: A reader recently called to alert us to a most unseasonable rash of crime. It seems that this year’s hottest lawn decoration, a Santa that is activated by a fan, is the preferred target of thieves. Apparently the Santa, once stores no longer carried it in stock, is still so sought after that thieves are sneaking onto lawns and stealing the decoration. These thieves must have hearts several sizes smaller than even the Grinch’s if they can derive pleasure and joy out of placing pilfered Santas on their own property.
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Wow: During the past couple weeks most of Fayette County’s townships and boroughs have been approving budgets for the coming year that contain good news for property owners. The supervisors and councils should be commended for developing spending plans that hold the line on taxes.
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Wow: Pennsylvania continues to expand its Web site in ways that inform and entertain. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission recently launched a site devoted to archaeology and architecture of the state’s inventory of National Historic Landmarks and National Register of Historic Places. It’s easy to navigate with users able to narrow searches to counties or municipalities and it offers a wealth of information contained on application forms. History buffs, tourists and those who earn their living through historic preservation and planning will surely find the site useful. But it would also be a great place for teachers to send students to learn more about landmarks in their communities. To find the site, go to www.state.pa.us and then type in the keyword “ARCH.” This one’s worth a bookmark.
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Wow: Been to the U.S. Post Office lately? In this maddening seasonal rush it’s easy to excuse brusque behavior; however, when the cost of mailing a package is higher than the gift inside, it’s difficult to feel kindly about the U.S. Postal Service. President Bush last week set up a commission to review the postal service with an eye toward reducing costs and making the system more efficient and better able to compete with private companies. This is certainly a worthy goal.