It is important for Butler's West End Revitalization Project to make strides in 2005, because of uncertainties tied to this year's elections, in which a new mayor and one or two new council members will be selected.

That doesn't imply that the new mayor or the new member or members of the council will in any way try to thwart anything currently planned for the West End. But even if fully committed to what the project entails, there will be some time needed for the new mayor and one or two new council members to settle in to their council roles and gain a full perspective of what is under way - not only regarding the West End, but also in terms of other city operations.

That could work to slow down the project's pace, if important decisions by the city's elected leaders were left for the early months of 2006. It is to be hoped that if there are any major early-project-stage decisions, that they will already have been made by the time new city leaders are sworn in.

The information that has emerged over the past week should leave the city in a hopeful frame of mind. It was pointed out that the first physical signs of the West End project should soon be visible, specifically after the Community Development Corporation of Butler County assumes ownership of 40-plus acres next to the Pullman Business Center for business development. That is targeted for the end of June.

The plan calls for moving five businesses that abut Pullman Park, renovating the ballpark and improving the land surrounding it for entertainment and recreation. In addition, the intent is to upgrade the West End housing stock.

It wouldn't be surprising if there were some differences of opinion regarding a proposed tax incentive funding (TIF) plan, in which tax revenue from a designed area is reinvested into the development of that area. But neither the public's viewpoint, nor the reaction of the taxing entities (the city, county and Butler School District) to forgo their share of West End property taxes for the West End's benefit won't be known until the exact details of that proposal are worked out and announced.

Mayor Leonard Pintell put the situation in the right perspective when he said, "The thing is that a project like this moves very, very slowly at first."

He said the project was starting to gain speed and that people would begin noticing that progress was being made, especially once the Trinity property changes hands.

Meanwhile, not visible to city residents but which has happened nonetheless is an agreement between Dollar Bank and the Butler Redevelopment Authority for a $2.5 million low-interest loan, which will provide the city's matching funds for a $1.8 million state grant plus contingency money for the project.

For Pintell, the West End project plus the proposed Main Street revitalization have been key goals of his mayoral term. Getting the projects in full gear by the time he leaves office in January - he decided not to seek re-election - would allow for an easier transition to whomever is elected as his successor.

Every effort possible must be made to ensure that the work up to now is not sidetracked in any way.