Wows & Scowls
Wow: A Democratic state representative has joined two of his Republican brethren in sponsoring legislation that would repeal the firestorm-generating pay raise passed by July 7 in a clandestine operation that would make even James Bond proud. It goes without saying that this brave Democrat isn’t from Fayette, Greene or Washington counties. It’s Rep. Greg Vitali from Delaware County, who’s locked arms on the repeal issue with Republican Reps. Thomas Creighton of Lancaster County and Will Gabig of Cumberland County. And hold on to your hats: Vitali says the 16 to 34 percent pay increases were excessive and unconstitutional, and he thinks the repeal should be the General Assembly’s top priority when it returns to session in two weeks. It probably won’t be, unless you and yours keep up the relentless pressure that’s needed to move the Legislature in the right direction. It would be refreshing to see someone from our delegation sign on to the effort. That will probably happen soon. Not. Wow: The new St. Hubert Roman Catholic Church in Point Marion is set for dedication Saturday, 22 months after fire destroyed the old building in November 2003. During the rebuilding phase, parishioners worshiped at a nearby skating rink and the church’s CDD Center. The rebuilding keeps alive a church with a rich Fayette County history dating back nearly 100 years, to its founding in 1909. It is also a testament to the resiliency of the 112 families who are part of the parish, headed by the Rev. Joseph Sredzinski.
Scowl: As if skyrocketing gasoline prices weren’t hitting consumer pocketbooks hard enough, those who rely on heating oil can expect a double-whammy with winter approaching. A federal agency is predicting a 31-percent increase in home heating oil costs over last year for our region – and that estimate could end up being low. One Fayette County retailer says the price for this commodity has already risen 69 percent from last year, going from $1.41 to $2.45 per gallon. This isn’t good news, especially for those on fixed incomes. A severely cold winter could put many households, including those who still work, in a fiscal pinch not seen in years. It’s a shame to say this, but it looks like the most consumers can hope for is a mild winter, because most just can’t run out and trade in their old furnace for one that sips less fuel.
Scowl: If some Connellsville City employees are making personal calls during regular work hours, as alleged by Controller Jean Wrote, that practice should end pronto.City policy reportedly requires that any employee making a call log it at that time, which Wrote believes isn’t always happening on the city’s 14 phone lines. She says calls are being made to private individuals, resorts and other locations that have no connection to city business. Even if the calls are local and don’t result in any extra charges, council and the mayor of the cash-strapped city should be concerned with finding out the amount of employee time being spent on these conversations. Time spent yakking to a friend or possibly booking a room at a resort might be better spent on city business.
Wow: Give North Union Township resident Rich Fearer credit for asking his township supervisors to adopt a 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. curfew for young people as a deterrent to crime. That’s what representative democracy is all about, and elected officials should listen to any citizen willing to bring up a problem or propose a solution. Fearer says that since North Union has no police department, instead relying solely on state police for protection, the curfew might help reduce youth-related crime by giving police the authority to stop and arrest violators. However, there’s one apparent flaw in such a plan: What police would effectively enforce this? Not state police, who by his own admission are stretched thin. His suggestion for a regional police force makes some sense, but that’s been brought up before and was met with no enthusiasm by elected officials.