Better Never Than Late

Geez, after a couple of days off, you'd think that I might have a lot to say.

Eh ... apparently, not so much.

Actually, I had a bunch of things to write about, but they're almost a week old, and writing about them now is something like buying an "AFC Champions" T-shirt a week after the Steelers win the Super Bowl. Technically, it's still true, but what's the point?

Still, I feel compelled to pen a few squibs on two important local stories. I'll leave it up to you to decide if someone can actually "pen" anything on a website.

. . .

In case you missed it, Tanya Kach has filed a federal lawsuit against the former school security guard accused of keeping her prisoner in his home for 10 years, along the security company that employed him, the city and the McKeesport Area School District, accusing them, according to Jill King Greenwood in the Trib, of "failing to protect her or properly investigate her disappearance."

Not much to add here, except that we all kind of knew this was coming, right?

Kach's attorney says that her client is still working through the grieving process and is finding it difficult to function normally. That's certainly understandable.

And nothing will promote the healing process like a long, complicated federal lawsuit that will require months of depositions and invite intense media scrutiny.

I had predicted back in April that this was going to wind up as a "Lifetime" original movie event, but now I'm convinced that "Law and Order" is going to rip it off.

. . .

As expected, Penn State trustees voted to change the name of Penn State McKeesport Campus to "Penn State Allegheny Campus." A little birdie tells the Almanac that, in protest, Mayor Jim Brewster has resigned from the advisory board to the local campus. (If anyone from the mayor's office can confirm that, I'd like to know. I'd be glad to print Mayor Brewster's comments here, too.)

I've said all I can say on the matter, except for this footnote: I adapted some of the Almanac commentary about the name change into a business letter and sent it to Penn State University President Graham Spanier. On Thursday, I received a response from Spanier. I very much appreciate the fact that he took the time to respond.

I am willing to accept what I was told last week --- that this is not meant as any kind of a slam toward McKeesport. Still, I think --- with all due respect --- that this entire matter could have been handled with more sensitivity toward the community's feelings. It was presented as a "fait accompli," and that stung.

However --- I also think that Penn State by any name (well, except for, maybe, "WVU") remains a tremendous asset to the Mon-Yough area, and I hope that any ruffled feathers (or is that tiger fur?) will eventually be smoothed down, for the good of everyone involved.

But particularly for the good of these valleys --- which can use the infusion of brainpower Penn State offers --- and the students, present and future.