Perhaps a settlement is achievable soon in the Karns City School District's teachers contract dispute. The two sides now are reported to be close in terms of pay, which has been one of the main stumbling blocks in terms of reaching an agreement.

But when compared with the realities in the business world, the teachers' proposal regarding their health care coverage is nothing short of embarrassing.

The teachers, who currently pay a paltry $10 per month for individual or family coverage, now, despite what most other workers currently pay in private business and industry, are expressing a willingness to pay just $15 a month for individual coverage and $25 a month for family health care.

The school board's proposal seeks a $40-per-month payment for individual coverage and $50 a month for family coverage — a great bargain that the teachers have so far rejected.

Of course, Karns City teachers are justifying their health care coverage stance on what teachers in other districts have obtained in their contracts.

But those agreements don't make right the negative impact on taxpayers — many of whom pay much more for lesser coverage but then are required to dole out their hard-earned money for much more comprehensive coverage for the teachers.

It's the Karns City School Board's job to work out an agreement that is fair to both sides. However, in terms of health care coverage payments, from the taxpayers' standpoint, the teachers' proposal is by no means fair.

It's premature to predict how the issue will shake out, but the Australian government's bold move against tobacco companies will be watched around the world.Under legislation introduced Thursday in Australia, tobacco companies would be required to use plain, logo-free packaging on their cigarettes in a bid to make them less attractive to smokers. A government health warning would have to be prominently displayed, with the brand name relegated to tiny, generic font at the bottom.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the proposed rules, which would go into effect on July 1, 2012, would be "the most hard-line regime in the world and cigarette companies will hate it."But those who are aware of the health problems — and the huge health care bill related to cigarette smoking — not only in Australia but everywhere else — understand the scope of smoking's avoidable toll.One possible example of Australian cigarette packaging, as depicted in a photo accompanying an article in Thursday's Butler Eagle, contained a government warning at the top of the package that "smoking causes lung cancer."Below that is a picture of a lung ravaged with cancer. The cigarette brand name is at the bottom of the package in small letters.If cigarette packaging in this country would, in addition to what's on the packages now, include a photo of a smoker's cancer-afflicted lung, it might cause more people to quit.If cigarette cartons were required to include three photos — one of a healthy lung, one of a smoker's lung not yet afflicted with cancer, and a lung with cancer — everyone who saw the carton would have evidence on which to base their decision whether or not to smoke.Many people don't know the actual effects of smoking on their lungs and the rest of their bodies. Seeing the photos would be eye-opening.Australia is taking a tough stance, one that it probably will have to defend in court. But for now, it's encouraging that a government is attempting such a bold move on behalf of the health of its people.Others should exhibit such determination.

The "gift of time" given to Slippery Rock University by its president, Robert Smith, and his wife, Ramona, is a pleasing addition to the university complex.The large clock donated by the Smiths and installed in front of Robert J. Watson Hall, or Building C, is tantamount to a centerpiece for the university's new dormitories.And, in the spirit of on-campus living, above the clock face is the reminder to students that it's "Time for Class." Some students also might often read into that message the reminder that it's also time to study or time to learn.The clock has four faces and also lights up at night.The Smiths merit praise for this lasting gift to the university. It is a gift that is a functioning asset to help students now and in the future get to wherever they need to be — on time.