Many communities strive to put their best face forward for Memorial Day, the day set aside for remembering deceased members of the armed forces of all wars and the traditional start of the summer season.

Putting on their best face involves making sure litter is removed from streets and sidewalks, and from along curbs. It involves having windows washed, doorways and other entranceways cleaned, and last year's leaves and other debris removed from around shrubbery and other places where it collects.

Many places try to ensure that their major pothole problems have been corrected and that community facilities' grass is cut and otherwise properly maintained.

They recognize the public relations value of that best-face-forward, as it relates to visitors, as well as the positive attitudes that it fosters among local people.

But this Memorial Day weekend the City of Butler is dirty. In the downtown business district, litter is virtually everywhere and the city is otherwise missing the summer shine that should have been taking shape, despite the challenging weather that this area has endured in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, for weeks motorists have been dodging big potholes, even busy roadways such as West New Castle Street, which consistently experiences more than its share of neglect. The city's Streets Department leaders obviously don't spend much time keeping in touch with their realm of responsibility - even weeks after the last measurable snowfall.

The condition of some catch basins speak of neglect that has persisted for years, if not decades. The paved area around the farmers' market is filthy, as is the market facility itself.

The city government must share a chunk of the blame for the city's appearance, although manpower and money limitations must be acknowledged as part of the reason the city can't do more. But the city could do more - with better planning and better allocation of available manpower.

Business owners and residents also could be doing more, by regularly sweeping around their stores, offices or homes, washing windows and touching up paint.

The city is trying to embark on a number of major initiatives that could involve outside interests spending millions of dollars here. Shouldn't Butler be trying to portray itself as a city of pride, rather than a place that doesn't care?

Unfortunately, this Memorial Day weekend, that latter image is playing out and that's wrong.