Published: May 08, 2008 01:02 pm            

Laurels and barbs

Laurel: While we have not wavered on our position that Pennsylvania liquor sales should be in the hands of the private sector, we nevertheless commend the Liquor Control Board for planning wine kiosks in grocery stores and other places. Although details remain sketchy, the vending machines apparently would be capable of holding 500 bottles of wine. Users would have to register, and fingerprinting and biometric readings would be involved as safety measures. Convenience, or lack thereof, for consumers is just one of the issues we have with state-operated liquor stores. The kiosks are intriguing.

Barb: A black cloud once again hangs over the Greater Johnstown Community YMCA. Twenty years after the discovery of stolen funds, traced to a former executive director, another probe is under way into missing money. Executive Director Sharon Jones said last week that an employee is suspected of misappropriating the money during an 18-month period. What a shame. We urge investigators to act quickly in their efforts to solve any discrepancies, and to keep the public updated on the progress of the probe. The YMCA is an invaluable asset in our community.

Laurel: Saying the new frequencies performed flawlessly for firefighters, officials are upbeat about the first major test for Cambria 911’s updated radio system. That’s good news for everyone in the county. Rich Brown, assistant fire chief in Nanty Glo, said that during a residential fire last week, firefighters were able to communicate perfectly with their portable radios. We hope the bugs have finally been worked out on this long-awaited service. Our emergency responders deserve the best.

Laurel: Johnstown’s Memorial Medical Center has been recognized nationally for its efforts to boost its nurse certification rates. In the past three years, the number of certified nurses in the critical-care and intensive-care units has doubled. Certification involves schooling, training and testing to help nurses develop “an expertise in critical thinking skills,” one official said. That’s good news for the hospital – but even better news for its patients.

Barb: Free or partially paid travel to foreign lands, tickets to sporting events, ski passes and greens fees. These are just some of the $111,000 worth of items appearing in state lawmakers’ 2007 annual Statement of Financial Interest forms, according to The Associated Press. While the statements will be scrutinized for weeks or months to come, lawmakers will argue that there is nothing wrong, that the gifts were all part of the job. Perhaps. But not everyone will see it that way. There is a perception of wrongdoing, and they know it. Most lawmakers reported no gifts or travel, the AP reported.

Laurel: A Patton man has been charged with theft after being chased down by two juveniles who allegedly witnessed him stealing fishing gear from a porch. While we commend the boys for being proactive, especially at a time when many people refuse to get involved when a crime is taking place, we echo the sentiments of Mayor Steve Bakajza: “While I congratulate (the juveniles) for their effort, I certainly wouldn’t encourage kids to do this ... to physically confront someone and put themselves in harm’s way.”

        

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