Category: default || By jt3y

There was a time when I was a kid that editorials in the Daily News had all of the excitement level of a bucket of wallpaper paste.

But over the last few years, the News' editorials have become more local --- exactly as a local newspaper's editorials should be --- and more willing to take sides and argue positions. They've become one of the first things I read (after I check the obituaries to see if my name is there).

Last night's leader, "It's Time To Pull The Plug," is typical of the quality (I was also going to say "spunk," but like Lou Grant, I hate "spunk"), and I found myself saying "amen" at the end:

There is an old saying, "the surgery was a success, but the patient died." That doesn't quite describe Duquesne City School District's 2006-07 budget, but it comes close. ...

Even if millage stays at 21.1, it's cold comfort when one sees the cutting of seven teaching and 12 support staff jobs ...

We realize the pride that goes with having local schools. We remember the angst in such towns as Homestead and Munhall during the school mergers of a generation ago.

But there comes a time when the life support has gone too long and pulling the plug is a foregone conclusion. That time has come for Duquesne City School District.

The editorial goes on to acknowledge that the neighboring districts don't want to take Duquesne's students (you know what the Almanac thinks about that --- it smells, bad), but points out that mergers in Steel Valley and Woodland Hills worked, "and a Duquesne merger with someone ... can work, too."

I'd like to link to it, but it's not available to non-subscribers. If you can get a copy of last night's paper, you should.

. . .

Another editorial on Tuesday about the sale of Rolling Rock's brand name, and the possible closure of Latrobe Brewing Co., was good as well:

"Since (Anheuser-Busch) does not seem to care about Rolling Rock's hometown, perhaps it is time people stopped caring about Budweiser, Bud Light and other brands Busch touts, in favor of a beer still brewed in Western Pennsylvania (and there still are several). We also suggest that for Rolling Rock after production ends in Latrobe ... We sort of wish, however, that Busch could find in Latrobe what others have found there --- including, by the way, the training camp of the Steelers, one of the pro football teams whose games the various Busch brands sponsor."

. . .

Meanwhile, Mike Madison, aka Pittsblog, also checked in on the Latrobe Brewing Co. deal, though I'm still not sure exactly what the heck he meant by this:

And -- the worst news of all -- Rolling Rock is leaving Latrobe. InBev, RR's corporate owner, is selling the brand to Anheuser-Busch. The hard working folks in Latrobe say that they're going to hold their breath until IB and AB change their minds.

"Hold their breath"! Ha ha ha! Funny! Like they're children! So, does this suggest that they shouldn't be upset? Or that their jobs aren't worth saving? Or that they should just lie down and accept whatever fate corporate America dictates for them?

Oh, I see: He's searching for "an entrepreneurial link." Yeah, maybe some $35,000 a year beer truck driver can put a mortgage on his two-bedroom ranch house in Unity Township and buy Latrobe Brewing Co.

I suppose we could muster more sympathy for Rolling Rock employees if only they had really important jobs. Like, say, tenured positions as law professors.

. . .

From the "How's That Again" file comes word of McKeesport Area School District's settlement this week with a teacher whom investigators claim had sex with another teacher inside Cornell school.

According to the Post-Gazette, under terms of the agreement, the teacher will be paid for 98 unused sick and personal days, compensation for a 24-day leave of absence, and health insurance worth $10,305. (They'll also receive a year's supply of Rice-a-Roni, a case of Turtle Wax, and a copy of the home game!)

The total cost to district taxpayers is $58,000.

I can understand District Solicitor Jack Cambest's argument that litigating the case would likely cost the school system even more money. But it still seems as if someone's being rewarded for what the district alleges has been very bad behavior.

. . .

Finally, I forgot to mention the classy way that state Rep. Ken Ruffing and legislative candidate George Matta II handled their defeats in the Democratic primary on May 16.

According to the Daily News, Ruffing refused to allow a reporter and a photographer to cover his election night party. (Other defeated candidates, including Matta and Jay Jabbour, allowed reporters to cover their events.)

And Rep. Ruffing would not make any comment on his defeat. (Gee, and I was so looking forward to finding out to which charity he donated his pay raise!)

Meanwhile, Matta took the opportunity to blame the public for being too stupid to vote for him: "The voters apparently like the economic development around here," he said. "They said that the schools are OK. That makes me sad."

It brings to mind the words of California politician and prankster Dick Tuck upon losing a state senate primary: "The people have spoken ... the bastards."

. . .

To Do This Weekend: The McKeesport City Carnival continues through tomorrow night at Helen Richey Field along Eden Park Boulevard in Renziehausen Park. Rides, games and refreshment booths open at 6 p.m., and ride passes cost $10. Call (412) 675-5068 ... The Harold Betters Quartet plays Johnny's Restaurant in Wilmerding at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Call (412) 824-6642.