One thing Republican gubernatorial nominee Lynn Swann is going to learn quickly during his first bid for public office is that if he makes a serious charge, he must be prepared to back it up with facts. If he doesn't, he's going to lose credibility.

Expressing serious disagreement over campaign issues, even in a vague manner, is one thing; making vague charges that could be construed as the basis for criminal action, if the information can be proven, is another.

Swann, the former Pittsburgh Steelers star receiver, was close to out of bounds the other day when he said some of his supporters were not contributing to his campaign because people in the Rendell administration or campaign had made it clear to some Swann supporters that if they supported Swann, they could jeopardize their state grants or contracts.

That's serious, since, according to the state attorney general's office, such conduct might be prosecuted as a violation of the state Bribery and Corrupt Influence Law.

But when questioned about the allegation, Swann declined to identify anyone or provide other details.

Meanwhile, the campaign of Gov. Ed Rendell and the administration's general counsel denied condoning any such activity and invited Swann to give any evidence to authorities. There's been no report to indicate that Swann has chosen to do that.

If Swann doesn't have evidence to back up a claim, that claim could come back to haunt him — and Rendell, no novice to politics, wouldn't pass up the opportunity to use such an unproven claim to gain political points with the voters.

Cheer CThe freak traffic accident that killed Spencer Morrison and two of his young children on Route 8 in Richland Township in April struck at the hearts of many across Western Pennsylvania. But the accident that left Nicole Morrison to raise her seriously injured, but surviving, son alone struck very close to home for a Cranberry Township teen whose own mother was killed in a traffic accident four years ago.When Cortney Barnett, 17, heard about the Morrison tragedy she decided she had to do something for Nicole Morrison and 4-year-old Ethan, who also live in Cranberry.After talking with her stepmother, who is connected with the Cranberry Athletic Association, Barnett and two of her friends, Jen Poleti and Danielle McKinney, collected $4,300 in donations at the group's annual photo day for softball and baseball teams.And others in the community have stepped forward to help Nicole Morrison and her son.One man from Hampton, Allegheny County, sold his 1993 Corvette through the Tom Henry dealership on Route 8, near where the Morrison accident happened, and donated the $21,000 from the sale to a fund that benefits the Morrisons. Then the employees at the dealership raised another $1,870 for the family.At the North Allegheny School District, where Nicole teaches, more than $14,000 has been raised. Other groups contributing to funds for the Morrisons include students from the Seneca Valley Middle School and the Cranberry Rotary Club.The tragic deaths were caused when a four-ton industrial wood chipper being towed by a truck came loose and careened across the highway, striking the Morrison minivan. The senseless accident struck many throughout the region who can only imagine how the survivors of such a tragedy can move forward with their lives — and also realize that, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."Fundraising efforts by Barnett and others are a way for the community to show support and love for Nicole Morrison and Ethan.

The Cranberry Township police department deserves positive notice for what it accomplished during the first year of its motor carrier safety inspection program.Of 65 inspections carried out last year, seven drivers and 43 vehicles were put out of service for a variety of violations. Thirty-three of the trucks inspected were found to have brake system problems.The inspections produced 46 citations and the arrest of one driver on an outstanding warrant.The township's experience raises serious questions about some trucking companies' commitment to safety. Meanwhile, it is laudable that the township is continuing its trucking vigilance this year.It is anticipated that about 90 inspections will be possible, because of the prospect of having an additional inspector.Last year's inspection statistics and what is planned for this year help to reinforce the message that Cranberry Township is serious about commercial vehicle safety.