Published: August 28, 2008 01:01 pm            

Laurels and barbs

Laurel: The Alternative  Community Resource  Program has moved into the former West End Catholic School in Johnstown, giving the location a new life into the future. The school was closed in June. But the ACRP, a nonprofit that serves disadvantaged youth, has found a home there – thus keeping the rooms actively serving young people of the community. Call it a cloud with a silver lining.

Barb: Three local men face a list of charges, including arson, in connection with a trailer fire at Leisure Village Mobile Home Park in Jackson Township. Derek Kovach, Brandon Gergely and Caleb Younkin are accused of setting fire to an unoccupied trailer. Police say the same structure was torched twice. Was this a case of mischief? If so, it put the lives of others nearby in danger.

Laurel: While many lament the selling of U.S. companies to foreign investors, we see a big upside to Russian steelmaker Severstal’s proposed purchase of PBS Coals Corp. of Friedens. The transaction, if all goes as planned, would preserve the company and protect 550 local jobs. This should be good news for the employees of PBS and those who have money invested with the company. PBS President Robert Scott said, “I think it’s really a win-win.” So do we.

Laurel: Cambria County Sheriff Bob Kolar has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. He will be the only sheriff on the statewide board, which includes the state attorney general, senators and state representatives and secretaries of state departments. Kolar said he will be serving on the commission’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Committee. He told this newspaper: “I feel so honored.” Congratulations on the appointment.

Barb: A dumped portable toilet may have led to a fish kill on Mill Run stream near Meadville, Crawford County. The Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the incident, and has said chemicals found in the water suggest a portable toilet was tipped over into the stream. More than400 fish were killed. Whether the material was dumped directly into the stream or was fed in through the wastewater system was unclear. But either way, we hope officials trace the pollution to its source and file charges.

Laurel: Officials in Mount Penn Borough, Berks County, were facing an expensive but necessary purchase – a fire truck. One bid came in at more than $800,000. Instead of taking on 20 years worth of debt, the Mount Penn Fire Company bought a suitable truck through an online auction. The truck will be fully refurbished, including a new motor, and will cost about $250,000 – still a lot of money, but a fraction of the cost the fire company could have faced.

        

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