Apparently employees of a company hired to paint light poles at Art Bernardi Stadium weren't properly trained in the hazards of working during windy conditions. Or, perhaps, they just weren't paying enough attention while the painting was under way.

Regardless, the more than 80 vehicles damaged by paint carried by the wind is testimony to the fact that something went terribly wrong on July 30 as the poles were being painted. And, apparently, the repair bills tied to the paint's removal will be significant.

The light poles were being painted as part of a $3.2 million stadium-renovation project, which includes installation of artificial turf on the playing field.

The K Co. of Campbell, Ohio, was awarded the $25,500 contract to paint the poles, but it wouldn't be a shock if the total repair bill for the cars damanged by the wind-blown paint significantly exceeds that amount.

According to Ed Fink, district superintendent, the contractor was to paint the poles with brushes but subsequently decided to spray-paint them. It turns out that that wasn't such a good idea.

Fink said some estimates for repairs were in the $500 range but on newer vehicles with black trim, the repair cost could be much higher.

This is not the first time that a painting project went awry in such a manner. There have been news accounts from other communities and other states where similar situations occurred.

It's difficult to imagine that officials of the K Co. never read or heard those news accounts.

It's of little consolation that company employees probably will be more careful on any future project for which they are hired.

It's too bad that Douglas Maybee has been struggling with alcohol problems for years, and it's unfortunate that illnesses have claimed the life of his wife.But Judge Timothy McCune was right in not issuing a "slap on the wrist" to this five-time drunken-driving offender. It is in the public's best interests that Maybee not be anywhere where he can have access to a vehicle.On Tuesday, McCune sentenced Maybee to serve 18 to 36 months in state prison and, following that, three years' probation.Hopefully, during that time, Maybee will be able to get his alcohol problem under control and turn his attention to being an asset to his community, rather than a liability and outright danger.Maybee must not be allowed to repeat what he inflicted on Stacey Romanias on Nov. 18, 2006 — or be responsible for something much worse.While intoxicated, Maybee crashed his vehicle into the back of Romanias' car on Route 228 in Adams Township, then sped away from the crash scene. The escape failed when Maybee lost control of his vehicle and it rolled onto its roof.The courts must strive to discourage drunken driving. Maybee's sentence is a message others should heed.

The Mars Historical Society has a good use for bricks that will be removed from Garfield and Lincoln avenues in the borough.Plans call for the bricks to be placed around the Mars train station on Irvine Street to enhance the character of that historic railroad facility. If there are not enough bricks to cover the entire area around the station, which has been refurbished by the historical group, bricks received from the borough will be used to create lanes for pedestrians visiting the station.The borough has opted to remove the bricks in connection with a project involving repair and replacement of waterlines. Additionally, removal of the bricks will end the uneven and bumpy conditions that now greet those who drive on the two streets.Butler officials would do well to consider such an effort on some of the city's brick streets, especially in the Institute Hill area. Some of the streets in that neighborhood are a disgrace for a city that likes to tout itself as progressive.The city ought to be able to find a use for the bricks that would allow them to be an asset to the community's appearance, rather than a turn-off for people considering moving to the city.Mars Council President Mike Fleming said that residents of the two streets being paved will be allowed to have a brick or two as a keepsake, and that is a nice gesture. But what's really important is that the borough is taking a step consistent with the 21st century while not abandoning its past.Hopefully Butler officials will adopt such a forward-looking approach regarding its neighborhoods, while, like Mars, finding ways for the ingredients of its past to help benefit its future.Mars has displayed vision in terms of its no-longer-needed bricks; Butler can, too.