Laurels & lances: Kids, jobs, parks and options

Laurel: To students making noise. They say kids should be seen and not heard, but Greensburg-Salem students recently raised their voices (and instruments) in protest of cuts to the district’s elementary music program.

First, it’s great that the kids are sticking up for role the arts plays in education. Good job!

But second, it’s fantastic that students are paying attention to what is happening with their school board. Everyone should be more aware of what is happening in their local governments, but it’s so important to make sure that young people are engaged so they grow up to be active participants in their communities.

It is also encouraging that it was high school students taking a stand on what would happen with their elementary schools. That shows a broader understanding of the importance of the subject. They don’t just care about what will directly affect them. They are taking a stand regarding something that will impact others.

Lance: To not speaking up. OK, Mike Turzai. We knew you weren’t running for the state House of Representatives again. Then you said you were leaving early. Then you said you were taking a private sector job. Now we know that job is being the general counsel for Pittsburgh-based gas utility Peoples.

Why not just say it? Why coyly string the information along? The people voted for you. They had a right to know that Peoples hired you.

Laurel: To the great outdoors. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the 121 state parks in the Keystone State have been getting a good workout this year.

While the coronavirus pandemic restricted people from doing things like going to movies or concerts or baseball games, the natural wonderland that is Pennsylvania still offered lots of opportunities to do things, and people took advantage of it (keeping a safe distance from other people, of course). Overall park attendance in May jumped 36% over 2019. The biggest leap was at Laurel Summit State Park in Somerset County that saw an increase of 122%.

Now let’s keep it up. Our parks need responsible support, so get out there and enjoy them. Just pick up after yourself while you’re out there. So many people using the facilities have caused litter problems.

On the watch list: To changing teams. Some West Leechburg residents are asking Leechburg Area School District not to raise property taxes this year and considering the possibility of being absorbed into Allegheny Township.

Allegheny Township kids attend Kiski Area School District. At a recent meeting, the option of just switching West Leechburg from Leechburg Area to Kiski Area was also mentioned.

What it all comes down to is people want to make more decisions about what happens with their district — whichever one it may be — and the amount of taxes they pay.

The people should definitely be involved and they should absolutely explore their options, but whether they make a difference remains to be seen.