Nov 5, 2004 4 min read

Scowl: There is some good news for taxpayers in the city of Connellsville. After being stuck with a mega school tax increase, residents won’t be doubly hurt by city taxes. The city’s finance director Councilman Bruce Jaynes said that while the budget is expected to grow some $300,000 over this year’s spending, the city could use part of an expected payment for selling property to Widewaters Development Group to cover the gap. That might bail the city out now, but what is the plan for the following year? If spending continues to grow beyond the tax base, Connellsville is only delaying a major tax increase. Council needs to sharpen its pencil further before using the proceeds of a one-time sale of assets to cover general spending. —

Scowl: A letter writer today points out a problem that others also witnessed at the polls on Tuesday. Long lines kept many people waiting for an hour at many precincts. The lines are indicative of a greater voter turnout than is found during most election days. While the high percentage of voters is great, perhaps better preparations could have been made to accommodate elderly and frail voters. Standing in long lines is challenging enough for the strong-legged. For those in ill health, it is more burdensome than it needs to be. The county election bureau would do well to review the kinks from this election and devise some kinder ways of dealing with those with physical problems.

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Wow: The dedication of all the poll workers who stood throughout Tuesday checking people in to vote deserves a round of applause. Many of the workers are elderly as well. The kind of hours put in and the occasional frustration expressed by voters must take its toll. That they keep coming back election after election shows dedication.

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Wow: We also believe that each of the candidates, winners and loser, deserve the community’s appreciation for running for elected office. The yearlong venture takes a great commitment of time and money and requires sacrifices. We are especially heartened that there were so many contested races, and that Republicans in Fayette County are challenging the much-entrenched Democratic stronghold. The county is best served by two active parties and when incumbents do not believe they are entitled to a free ride.

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Wow: The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau has been awarded $200,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to go towards building a regional visitors’ center in Donegal. Laurel Highlands, which includes, Fayette stretches across the region and must promote so many different venues in so many different places. It has three small visitor centers now in Ohiopyle, Ligonier and Somerset. A new center in Donegal, especially if it is convenient to turnpike travelers would do a world of good in promoting Laurel Highlands. Some travelers like to gather up maps and brochures and discover new treasures to visit. We know how great and how vast our historic and recreational amenities are. The more exposure we get in spreading the word the more our tourism industry with benefit.

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Wow: Teresa Gladden’s friends threw a luncheon in her honor last week. It was a fitting tribute to an 85-year-old woman who founded the Brownsville Soup Kitchen in 1974. After 30 years Gladden is hanging up her ladle. When she first ventured into service with the Fayette County Community Action she was newly widowed and an empty nester. Gladden has touched so many lives through hot meals, warm coats and any other need she saw going unmet. And while she won’t be serving up lunch daily, she plans to remain active with the community action board and a number of other organizations.