Jun 7, 2002 5 min read

Scowl: Perhaps irresponsible pet owners think that with the recent troubles at the SPCA, dogcatchers have taken a holiday. That could be one explanation that we are hearing growing reports of loose dogs snapping at the heels of walkers and bikers. Those who look forward to using the streets to gain a little exercise and recreation do not wish to compete with dogs whose owners are nowhere in sight. Not only do unleashed dogs pose a danger to humans, their owners are taking a grave risk with the dogs’ lives by allowing them to roam the streets. —

Scowl: Greene County commissioners remain obstinate in their position that the general public will not be able to access property information through the county’s Web site. They are continuing to review a proposal that would just allow lawyers, bankers and real estate agents access to the information as long as they paid a premium for the “privilege.” This is public information that ought to be available in the most modern form to all and not just select groups of professionals. The information is already in the public domain for those who have the time during weekday business hours to scour through records at the courthouse. It is valuable information that property owners should have available especially in determining whether new assessment values are accurate.

—

Wow: The Web can be a great tool in promoting area attractions as Nemacolin Castle recently discovered. A Virginia-based auction house in scouting for an unusual location to host an auction near Pittsburgh discovered one of Brownsville’s treasures through a Web site. A connection was made with the Brownsville Historical Society and the auction house will rent the castle this weekend.

—

Wow: It’s difficult enough to make it through one year of school without catching a bug that forces a student to miss a day or two so it is cause for celebration when a student chalks up a perfect attendance record from the first day of kindergarten through commencement. When Jan-Michael Rosner graduated last week from Laurel Highlands High School he joined his older brother Wesley (LH Class of 95) in having accomplished this feat.

—

Scowl: Has Uniontown City Council put the cart before the horse? Council this week awarded a contract of nearly $675,000 to a firm to install a sewer line without having secured the money first. The contract is supposedly contingent upon A.) Receiving interim financing from a local bank; B.) Obtaining easements from affected property owners and C.) Securing a PennVEST loan to repay the first contingency. Each one of these contingencies takes time to accomplish. Even if the PennVEST loan is expected to come through this fall, city council should have had easements and interim financing in place before hiring a contractor to perform work.

—

Wow: How much wood can a woodchuck chuck? A woodchuck couldn’t chuck much along Church Street this week when the normally woodsy creature was trapped in a maze of concrete. Although it isn’t in their usual job description, Uniontown police rendered aid and said they drove the little critter outside the city’s jurisdiction, in other words to the woods.

—

Scowl: Last we knew Perry Township’s finances were still hovering in the red ink with an investigation ongoing into past allegations of mismanagement and possibly theft. Thousands in grants, withholding taxes and other funds had disappeared and to ease the burden two of the supervisors voted to take away from the third supervisor his paid position as a roadmaster. Yet the supervisors this week voted to purchase a backhoe through a state program. Perhaps the initial fee this year of a mere $200 looks cheap, but the supervisors are now obligated to spend $12,750 for each of the next six years on a piece of equipment. Supervisor A.J. Boni said the township will save some money by not having to hire contractors. But how much money? Enough to make the payments?

By the way, it appears the township is still not up to speed on filing timely paperwork. At the same meeting, supervisors announced they wouldn’t be receiving any funds from the county for gravel and dirt roads as they failed to file paperwork on time.

—

Scowl: Under what provision of the state’s Sunshine Act, did the Wharton Township supervisors think they had a right to meet behind closed doors to hear an update on Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa assessment appeal? Certainly the township supervisors – and all property owners – have a vested interest in the value placed on Nemacolin Woodlands as it factors into the property tax millage equation. We remind the supervisors, in case their solicitor failed to give them heed, that executive sessions can only be called for discussing sensitive personnel matters, strategy in a lawsuit or negotiating for the purchase of real estate. Period. A property assessment appeal does not fall under any of these exemptions.