When new regulations are endorsed by those whom the regulations are meant to cover, there are grounds for concern about whether the regulations are strong enough.

That is the case with new guidelines endorsed by a natural gas industry group in connection with enforcing air pollution standards on Pennsylvania's gas-drilling activity.

The proposed guidelines drew immediate criticism from clean air advocates, who contend that the rules would allow the industry to pollute more. The clean air advocates also contend that the guidelines will weaken the ability of state regulators to gauge how much pollution the industry is creating.

The new guidelines have been opened for public comment until Nov. 21. It's troubling that the state Department of Environmental Protection seems so content with rules that might work against the agency's mission as well as state residents living in close proximity to drilling operations.

State residents could feel more comfortable if the new rules were generating criticism from the industry rather than praise.

Slippery Rock Borough officials aren't wrong in considering a crime watch to monitor activities in the community, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, when most of the problems occur.But in order for the idea to succeed, local residents — more than just a few — will have to step forward to make the program work.Unfortunately, in many communities, it is difficult to obtain that commitment. The “I don't want to get involved” excuse is put forth, while some people are fearful of retaliation by those who cause trouble.As a college community, Slippery Rock deals with issues of a scope that non-college communities do not face.If the borough council truly is committed to implementing a program of that kind, it will need to have one or more meetings to discuss the idea with residents. Perhaps the borough also can obtain a speaker from a community that has such a program in effect.As local police officers attest, visibility is a key to reducing trouble; members of a crime watch could have that effect.The council should move ahead in gauging support for the idea.

Owners of Zelienople's Kaufman House deserve praise for their commitment to get the restaurant back in operation as quickly as possible.When fire broke out in the kitchen of the borough landmark/restaurant on Oct. 5, many people understandably were concerned about its fate.Being an old building, there was concern about how much damage the fire might have caused that wasn't immediately apparent, and that proved to be the case.The building received smoke damage all the way up to the top floor, said Karen McNulty, one of the owners.But unlike some business owners who have faced similar tragedies and have spent inordinate amounts of time contemplating and making arrangements for repairs, Kaufman House owners have been aggressive in pursuing the repair work needed.Obviously, there's an economic incentive. The owners can't make money if the business remains closed.But the owners also have expressed worry about the financial difficulties the restaurant's 40 workers might have until the restaurant is open again — loyal employees they don't want to lose.Also worthy of praise are businesses that stepped forward to offer freezer space to the Kaufman House, as well as residents who volunteered to help the business recover from its setbackThose gestures are indicative of the unity and community spirit that exist in Zelienople.McNulty referred to the fire as “a bump in the road,” but it was a bump that could have been much more devastating to some.The community can feel upbeat that, while the blaze was a setback, it didn't lead to the business' demise.