Wows & Scowls
Scowl: The longer that school district property tax reform doesn’t get done in Harrisburg, the more inclined we are to believe that House Republicans – who killed the latest measure Wednesday – are more interested in playing election-year politics than in making a change. It’s not as though the latest proposal fell out of a tree and landed in their laps; quite the opposite, it was the product of a conference committee comprised of representative Democrats and Republicans from the House and the Senate. So if, as GOP Majority Leader Sam Smith said, “we can do more and we can do better,” why didn’t he and/or his party’s conference committee representatives put that plan on the table? By not offering up something more concrete and ignoring the conference committee’s compromise recommendation, House Republicans are simply keeping the merry-go-round of inaction running at full tilt. Scowl: Facing a viable Democrat primary opponent in Robert F. “Bobby” Danko, state Rep. Bill DeWeese is bringing Art Rooney II, he of Pittsburgh Steelers ownership fame, to the Carmichaels Fire Hall for a $25-per-plate fundraiser. Maybe DeWeese and/or Rooney can explain how the usage of state funds to build the Steelers a new stadium, which they both supported, has helped residents of the 50th District. Voters there overwhelmingly rejected the imposition of a higher regional sales tax as a means to fund stadium construction. But that didn’t stop DeWeese & Co. from pushing through an alternative that provided a big chunk of state cash. Oh, how wonderful it would be for them to use that same clout to deliver something wonderful, like meaningful like property tax reform …
Wow: South Union Township continues to lead the county in economic growth, with its supervisors recently announcing approval of a plan to build a new Wal-Mart Supercenter, along with a possible department store and restaurant. Cedarwood Development of Ohio will construct the 435,000-square-foot facility, on the former county home property along New Salem Road. The news continues underscoring the wisdom of the former county commission administration in placing the long-underutilized land in the hands of the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority, which has developed the property at lightning speed.
Scowl: Anyone who opposes the granting of a slots license for Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa who didn’t voice that concern at Tuesday’s public input hearing should remain forever moot on the point. Only one person showed up to object to the proposed $40 million casino. Surely there are others. But like those who now oppose the Uniontown Area School Board’s building of a new senior high school, they probably won’t start squawking until it’s too late. That pattern repeats itself all too frequently in local matters. Citizens on both need to get out in front of any issue.