Evans City Borough Councilman Harry Shaffer owes the community's taxpayers an explanation.

Shaffer, who heads the council's finance committee, has said the town has debt obligations of more than $1.3 million, but an audit covering 2007 lists the debt as approximately $818,000. That's a difference of approximately $482,000 — not an insignificant sum for a town of Evans City's size.

Why the difference? Shaffer has refused to say, and that refusal is contrary to the community's right to know.

If he erred in initially voicing that figure, he should have said so, when asked for an explantion. Everyone makes mistakes, and probably it would have been quickly forgotten — if that figure was not based in any way on an intent to mislead.

Shaffer's refusal to comment has brought speculation that he might have voiced that high estimate to try to influence contract negotiations with the police department.

No one will know for sure, until Shaffer explains his analysis.

But, contract negotiations should be based on a foundation of honesty and trust, even if the two sides at the bargaining table are far apart in their expectations.

The police must be presented accurate information on the challenges facing the community and on what issues lie ahead — and their projected costs. Likewise, borough negotiators ought to be open to listening to police officers' concerns, not only about salary but also fringe benefits, working conditions and the future of the department.

Negotiations in which distrust predominates have potential long-term negative implications, make reaching a settlement more difficult.

There has been some speculation regarding what Shaffer meant when he provided his debt obligation estimate. Councilman Roy Long, who also is a finance committee member, said he thought Shaffer was looking at the future when he mentioned the $1.3 million.

Council President Cheri Deener had a better observation.

"They should know the answers," Deener said, referring to finance committee members.

She said the difference in debt numbers can't be tied to inexperience, since the current members of the finance committee have been dealing with the borough's money matters for several years.

She said the finance committee needs to be more attentive to the debt numbers, which are part of the public record. Perhaps they also need to strive for more accuracy whenever they discuss the community's financial situation.

It's puzzling that Shaffer wasn't challenged by other finance committee members when he first voiced the $1.3 million estimate. It's not as if the community's debt is an insignificant issue.

Now Shaffer has compounded the questions and prolonged the issue because of his unwillingness to explain the basis for his estimate.

People of every community should have faith in their elected leaders. However, leaders must earn that faith.

Shaffer's refusal to answer such a basic question didn't advance the confidence that people of Evans City should have.