The right to vote is an important one in America.
And Election Day efforts made on behalf of Wampum resident Terry Jones help to document that.
Oddly, Jones was turned away when he attempted to vote Nov. 3. He was registered, but incorrectly told that — as an Independent — he was ineligible.
But when his neighbor, Gail Blakely, heard his story, she pushed for answers. Eventually, poll workers contacted county elections officials and learned they were wrong.
As the clock ticked near the 8 p.m. deadline, a police cruiser rushed to Jones’ home to tell him he could vote. Although he wound up using a paper ballot instead of one of the county’s electronic voting machines, Jones was able to participate in the process.
Lawrence County elections director Ed Allison followed up on the Wampum controversy and discovered one other voter who had been turned away. She, too, was allowed to cast a paper ballot, albeit several days late.
We applaud the efforts of private citizens and elections officials who took this matter seriously. It’s a reminder that people need to fight for their rights, even if the problem is an innocent mistake.
The story also suggests that poll workers — who are often overworked and underappreciated on Election Day — still need to make sure they understand the rules.
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And now for something completely different.
Most of Lawrence County’s regular operations will be shut down next week around Thanksgiving, as the government center will be closed and only essential court, jail and emergency matters will be handled.
The closing, apparently the first of its kind in the county, is a result of the state’s failure to produce a timely budget this year and related uncertainty over county finances.
Most county employees are being furloughed during the week. And the whole process is expected to repeat itself in late December as another week of furloughs is scheduled.
Still unclear is how all of this will impact the county’s budget for next year along with the prospect of any change in taxes. We’ll know more when the commissioners submit a proposed budget for 2010.
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The Stavich Bike Trail is back in business.
The trail, which runs from Union Township in Lawrence County to Lowellville and Struthers in Ohio, has been closed on the Pennsylvania end because of serious erosion and deterioration problems.
With the support of grants and some county funding, the repairs were made and the trail was repaved. It officially reopened today, although people have been using it to some degree all along.
The relatively flat (for western Pennsylvania) trail runs along an old street car line. And while bike paths are increasingly common in America, the Stavich is unusual in that it crosses a state border.
We hope the public takes advantage of this local asset.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: Odds and ends
- Editorials
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Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
It’s generally recognized that knowledge is power. That’s why some knowledge deserves equal treatment. Perhaps that assessment is most appropriate when it comes to information held by government. Government data and the collection of information, after all, comes courtesy of tax dollars, so everyone should have equal access to its benefits.
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High court forces lawmakers back to drawing board
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to throw out a legislative redistricting plan exposes a fundamental truth: The mapping of House and Senate districts in the commonwealth have nothing to do with representation or serving the people.
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Our Opinion: City hurts businesses by ticketing during lunch hours
Most of the candidates running (and now elected) for New Castle City Council and mayor last year said they believed downtown redevelopment was important. This was a common theme during editorial board meetings at the New Castle News prior to last spring’s primary and before the general election.
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Citizens offer to take open seat on New Castle City Council
It’s good to see there is so much interest in serving on New Castle City Council. On Tuesday, council interviewed nine citizens who have expressed a desire to fill an existing vacancy. The only unfortunate part is that most of these people weren’t interested in the post last year, when it was on the ballot.
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Second thoughts
County commissioner decides to take charge of prison board
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Our Opinion, Part 2: Mayor’s hiring of his son raises more serious questions
If you ask New Castle residents to identify the biggest problem in local government, one word will stand out:
Nepotism. The term, of course, refers to the hiring of one’s relatives for positions, regardless of the fact others are equally — or more — deserving of available positions. -
Our Opinion: Why didn’t council keep Chief Tom Sansone?
Last week, a majority on city council refused to confirm Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo’s appointment of Tom Sansone to continue as police chief. For the moment, the city has no police chief, and city residents are left to wonder why.
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Writers reveal ignorance of school board politics
Editor, The News: In a recent edition of The News there was a letter by James Smith that caught my attention.
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Fairness is consideration in Jameson Hospital’s request to city
Jameson Hospital wants New Castle to give it a break. And it’s something city council should consider — if doing so makes sense, and if it is fair to all.
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Proposal to cut size of Legislature moves modestly ahead
Efforts to streamline Pennsylvania’s Legislature took a step forward this week. But plenty of additional steps remain in what promises to be a daunting process.
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Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
