I read with interest the Aug. 23 editorial about the possible hiring of a borough manager in Evans City. First of all, if Evans City does in fact have a little money to spend, why not spend it on resurfacing the streets? I'm not sure what administrative matters the borough council currently handles. However, when asked on several occasions the simple question about how much the unnecessary leased postage meter is costing borough taxpayers, not one of the council members knew, nor did they bother to find out. The borough building is a half-block from the post office. The borough should buy a roll of current stamps, a few of the add-on stamps and a cheap scale. A little bit of money saved over a period of time can turn into a lot of money saved. Every other week on a Sunday night the street sweeper comes along. Two days after the streets are swept, people cut their grass, blowing the grass clippings into the street. Therefore, street sweeping is another waste of my tax money. There's money to be made on street-sweeping nights — by ticketing vehicles parked on the streets designated for sweeping. Two of the last three street-sweeping nights that hasn't happened. There's more money to be made. The borough should enforce its ordinances. Speaking of sweeping streets, a month ago we had a water main break on Main Street. There's still dirt and mud on the street as a result of it. Why not ask the fire department to wash it away. It sure would help the town look better for the upcoming Octoberfest. Have you ever driven through a little country town and said, "What a nice, clean-looking town this is"? I can bet no one ever says that about Evans City — unless, of course, they are attracted to the weeds growing along Main Street or the "lawn displays" — also known as junk cars — in some yards. The most important qualification for a borough manager in Evans City would be the ability to be a manager who could manage and not be managed — one who has the backbone to stand up for the needs of borough residents and the future of the borough. That's something the current council seems to be lacking. At times it's not clear who the governing body of Evans City might be, the council or the borough employees. The Aug. 23 editorial states that the council should seek opinions from borough residents about the manager hiring. It's never mattered before what the residents thought. I doubt it will matter in this instance.
