Cheers & Jeers
Cheers: Two Fayette County projects will receive more than $5 million in assistance as part of the “Business In Our Sites” projects announced earlier this week by Gov. Tom Wolf. A total of nine projects across the state will get a financial boost through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA). The Fay-Penn Economic Development Council will receive a $1,713,966 grant and $2,609,989 loan to assist in developing a multi-tenant speculative building in Dunbar Township, while a $220,000 grant and $550,000 loan will help develop the North Union Commercial Park in North Union Township. The BOS project is intended to empower communities and economic development partners to attract expanding businesses by building an inventory of ready sites. “Between our prime location, our skilled workforce and our excellent infrastructure, the commonwealth has a lot to offer current and potential businesses,” Wolf said.
Cheers: This week, the temperature hit 104 degrees in Britain. That wouldn’t be so out of the ordinary in, say, Saudi Arabia or even Alabama, but in a part of Europe where typical afternoon high temperatures in July are in the low- to- mid-70s, it’s a jaw-dropper. Climate scientists have been urgently sounding the alarm, saying that extreme weather events like this will become increasingly common as the climate changes. This week, the Herald-Standard looked at some local residents who, in their own way, are trying to help stem global warming and make the world more habitable for young people who can’t yet participate in policy debates. For instance, David Wray, a fourth-grade science teacher at Washington Park Elementary School, has started a club that has students bringing their own reusable straws to school. He explained, “I try to focus on what I can do, and what they can do. I try to always look at the positive possibilities, instead of the negative ones that will keep me up at night.”
Jeers: Worried about the state of democracy? You have reason to be, especially when elected leaders who are purportedly supposed to uphold democracy seem more interested in tearing it down and replacing it with some form of authoritarianism. Unfortunately, there’s reason to believe some of their constituents actually wouldn’t mind living under a strongman. According to a study from the Ipsos Knowledge Panel, 40% of respondents believed that having a “strong leader” is more important than the United States continuing as a democracy. The study also found that half of those surveyed believe the country could face a civil war, and 20% believe political violence is sometimes justified. This is yet further evidence that we need to strengthen the teaching of civics. Americans who yearn for a strongman also need to be reminded of this slice of wisdom from Winston Churchill: “Democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”