Laurels & lances: Stepping down, stepping up, flying high

Laurel: To announcing a departure. U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, announced Monday that he will finish his term, which runs through 2022, but not seek reelection in the midterms.

“I believe the time has come to pass the torch to the next generation,” he said.

It would be nice if more legislators took a good look at their time in office and made a choice to step down after doing the job for a reasonable period of time.

Doyle, 68, will have spent 28 years in office when his successor is sworn in. It’s not quite half of his life, but it’s close enough. He is the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation.

It’s far too early to know who will replace Doyle — or even if his district will survive the post-census bloodletting that will require the loss of one House seat. Perhaps his declared absence will leave the seat vulnerable to the chopping block.

It is nice, however, to see the opportunity for a new face in an office that has been locked down for so long.

Lance: To no raised hands. People need to participate in their government to make it work. It has to happen in every level — federal, state, county, school board, local. But in North Irwin, that’s a problem.

Months after the primary, there are still no would-be candidates for one of the four two-year terms on borough council.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. In 2019, Dane Frye and Lauren Jones won their seats with just five write-in votes each. Casey Parker picked up a seat with two write-ins and a tie-breaker with two other residents.

This is a sad statement on civic involvement. The level of interest and participation we have with our government shapes what we get in return.

Laurel: To new options. Pittsburgh International Airport is opening another flight path as it adds an airline to its roster.

Sun Country Airlines will begin service to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in 2022. It follows announcements earlier this year from Breeze Airways and Contour Airlines. Sun Country is the fifth budget option for travelers, with Breeze as well as Allegiant, Frontier and Spirit.

The new carriers are a welcome announcement as Pittsburgh International embarks on its $1.4 billion construction project.