The world has more problems today than we have experienced in many years. The killing and slaughtering of innocent people by Russian President Vladimir Putin is by far the worst thing happening. While there isn’t much we can do to fix it, the community has responded very strongly in true nonpartisan fashion to help support the Ukrainians in our community and around the world. Whether it be the churches in Lyndora, the bars with Ukrainian heritage, or the Catholic grade school children of Butler, many have reached out with unique ideas and grabbed onto opportunities that fit themselves and their closest friends to bring aid to those in need. Our thanks and appreciation go out to all of these groups and people.

Closer to home, spring brings us ample opportunity to improve our community as well. The obituary of Rotarian and business man Wayne Conley, highlighted his appreciation for the beautiful and well-kept flower beds that we all get to enjoy as we pass the intersection of Hansen Avenue and New Castle Road below the high school. These community flower beds along with others like them are a source of pride and a welcoming sight as friends and family visit Butler. It is wonderful that we have groups and individuals such as Wayne and his associates in Rotary to do these volunteer beautification projects for us.

Another opportunity to improve our community and the appearance of it falls to a variety of utilities this spring.

Maybe it is another of the many problems stemming from cutbacks associated with COVID-19, but there has been a significant drop-off in the quality of work done post-repairs by the utilities working on and under our streets. Utilities of all categories are expected if not required to return the streets to as good or better condition than they were in before the utility tore them up. That has not been happening, and our streets are showing the stress of a lack of diligence following repairs.

Maybe some of this is also on the street crews, but it appears to be far more due to the utilities doing a poor job of restoration after they work on and under the streets.

We hope Mayor Bob Dandoy will make a priority of demanding better from all those concerned. Perhaps before and after photos including the names of companies doing this work would provide motivation for the job being finished correctly. We have already seen his positive impact on getting some of the dangerous eyesores that were once homes or businesses taken down. Tying these subjects together, maybe neighborhood organizations can make sure the grass gets mowed and maybe a few flowers planted where these buildings were demolished. That way when the streets become smoother and safer, we can admire the beauty of all that has been done as we pass through town. It is an attainable goal. Consider doing something to support it.

— RV