The official merger of the Mars and Valencia fire departments on April 1 is based on a solid purpose. That is to continue to meet the needs brought about by the two fire service areas' growth.

In the process, it is hoped that the merger will produce cost savings. As one department, the two units of what will be named the Adams Area Fire District will be able to share firefighting equipment and other resources, and coordinate finances.

It also is believed that the two units, as a merged operation, will have more time for training.

Each unit of the merged department will continue to use the fire station at which it currently is based. One chief, who will be selected after the merger is officially complete, will oversee the combined department.

Obviously, the two now-separate departments do not anticipate any problems maintaining the cooperation needed to keep the merger strong and effective once it is finalized, or they wouldn't have voted to take this big step.

Officials of the two departments merit praise for the commitment they exerted toward this effort. There probably are some departments elsewhere that currently are beset with membership, money or equipment issues that will be watching how this merger plays out in hopes of initiating merger talks of their own.

If that in fact occurs, Adams Area Fire District officials should provide guidance or suggestions to help those others avoid any difficulties that this merger might have encountered along the way.

Millions of people throughout the United States will not mourn when Fidel Castro breathes his last breath. The Cuban leader, who turned over power to his brother, Raul, last summer after becoming ill, has been a nuisance to this country since seizing power more than 45 years ago,Particularly, in 1962, he was at the center of a missile crisis that nearly triggered a nuclear war between the United States and the former Soviet Union.It's an understatement to say he has not been a friend of this country.Nevertheless, the city of Miami didn't enhance its image when it announced plans last month for an official celebration at the Orange Bowl whenever Castro dies. Any such celebrations should be left to individuals and families, particularly those in the Little Havana exile community.Even when Fidel Castro passes away, his Communist government will remain in place and his brother's continued presence makes radical short-term change unlikely.The only product of the official death celebration being planned will be additional animosity by the remaining Cuban leadership toward the United States.And, those leaders will use the celebration as a seed for additional propaganda against this country.Ramon Saul Sanchez, leader of the Miami-based Democracy Movement organization, has expressed concern about how a party to celebrate Castro's death would be perceived by people outside the Cuban exile community."Although everybody will be very happy that the dictator cannot continue to oppress us himself, I think everybody is still very sad because there are still prisons full of prisoners, many people executed, and families divided."Fidel Castro's demise, whenever it occurs, should be regarded as an opportunity for better U.S.-Cuban relations, and nothing should be done to jeopardize that.

Robert Dandoy of Butler spoke modestly about his selection for a national teaching award when interviewed for an article that was published in the Jan. 31 Butler Eagle.But all of Butler County should be proud of his selection by the National Council of Teachers of English for the council's National Teacher of Excellence Award. The award is another indicator of the high quality of education being offered to students in this county."It's nice to have the spotlight, but I'd like to take that spotlight and shine it on other teachers in the area who deserve to be awarded too," said Dandoy, who teaches Grade 11 English plus journalism and public speaking at Karns City High School. He also teaches English in the role of adjunct faculty member at Butler County Community College."I think the public has this idea that the public school system is in bad shape these days because there's so much focus on test scores, but there's a lot of good learning and teaching being done," he said. "There are many good teachers right in our backyard that are really sort of a well-kept secret in the area."Dandoy derives satisfaction from being able to help students to accomplish things they might not otherwise have accomplished."Being able to motivate and reach people isn't always easy," he said. "But it's very rewarding when you can."Dandoy is modest about having been honored, but Karns City students can be excused for being less than modest about having had the opportunity to benefit from his exceptional teaching talents.