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Our opinion: E-bike proposal is a worthy compromise

There have been several proposals in the state Legislature over the past few years that would increase oversight of electric bicycles. But the best, in our opinion, is a relatively simple proposal from House Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Export, who is drafting legislation that would give local governments clear authority to establish their own ordinances for e-bikes. There likely won’t be clear agreement at the state level what e-bike regulation should look like, with issues like licensing, registering and insuring the bicycles likely to lead to the same sort of disagreement we’ve seen ...

Our opinion: Rural tax base needs protection

One thing is clear from the recent state state Senate Game and Fisheries Committee public hearing on the state Game Commission’s land acquisition policy - rural areas are struggling as their tax base erodes from expanding public land acquisition. Local government officials know there are benefits to expanding public land. It does help tourism. Some local companies benefit from oil and gas leases, timber sales and tourism activities. But those benefits often don’t help when the time comes each year to piece together a local budget that taxpayers can afford because so much land here ...

Our opinion: How long is Warren Worx leash?

There have been some successes over the past year under the Warren Worx umbrella. Kinzua Rocks the Wake, which has included Warren Worx, was an unquestioned success. The event could return next fall. Bringing back a rib festival to downtown Warren will be a nice event to get people out and about for a few days in the summer. Boosting wifi connectivity in rural areas is a plus. Helping smaller townships and boroughs undertake planning activities that could bring in grants and state funding for revitalization efforts is a good thing for someone to be doing. A countywide housing study ...

Our opinion: Mixed drinks on tap worth agreement

Nothing, in our opinion, should proceed through the state Legislature until Pennsylvania’s budget is approved. But, state lawmakers continue debating and passing bills nonetheless. Some of those political bills stand no chance of making it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk. Others have generated some bipartisan consensus - including a bill passed by the state House of Representatives recently passed legislation (House Bill 1702) sponsored by Rep. Dan Goughnour, D-Allegheny, to modernize state liquor laws by allowing businesses with liquor licenses to have premixed cocktails on tap. The ...

Editor’s corner: It’s full speed ahead for roundabout projects

Before its opening in 2023, a proposed roundabout in the city at Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street was a hotly contested topic with plenty of opposition. But there were statistics on the side of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation when it was constructed. Last month, PennDOT ...

Our opinion: Center kitchen a lesson in perseverance

For years, volunteers at the Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield sold pies and cookies at the Johnny Appleseed Festival to make money to install a new kitchen at the center. The festival is no more. But thanks to continued community support from fundraisers, grant applications and a $100,000 anonymous donation the center’s new kitchen will become a reality. It’s a testament to what can happen when a group of dedicated volunteers sets a goal and doesn’t give up at the first, second, third or hundredth setback they face. The Smith Center staff have been preparing more than 30 ...