Jeer D

Ralph D'Antonio, Butler city treasurer, has criticized the city council's plan to obtain a $300,000 tax-anticipation loan to help cover expenses incurred during the first months of 2008. He said that with a projected end-of-year balance of $900,000, such borrowing was not necessary.

While his opinion regarding the fund balance might be 100 percent on target, there is nothing wrong with the city having the extra money on hand for protection against unforeseen emergencies.

At the same time, if the city deposits the money in an account earning more interest than what it will be paying on the loan, the city's coffers will be better off than if the council rejected that option.

The fact is Butler, like all other municipalities in the state, has limited cash on hand in January and February as it awaits property owners' real-estate tax payments. Many municipalities across the commonwealth opt for such loans as a matter of routine, and so do many school districts for the early months of their fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Butler city clerk Bob Brehm was correct when he pointed out "you don't have to have a deficit to take out a tax revenue anticipation note."

In fact, the city's healthier-than-usual fund balance is allowing the city to borrow a smaller tax-anticipation sum than it has in any of the past 10 years. The usual practice had been to borrow $1 million.

"They have no reason whatsoever to borrow a penny," D'Antonio remarked, concerning the council's plan. "It boggles my mind the waste of borrowing money we don't need."

D'Antonio should rethink his position.

Cheer C

Jackson Township residents won't see any major road or capital improvement projects during the coming year, if the township's tentative 2008 budget gets final approval on Thursday.

But that's not a bad thing. The township supervisors have said they plan to save some of the municipality's state liquid fuels tax reimbursement for larger projects in 2009.

The 2009 projects apparently will provide a better overall effect than if the township had decided to spend all of the available money in 2008 on small initiatives not requiring urgent or immediate action.

Meanwhile, because the township's major road equipment is fairly new, the proposed 2008 spending plan anticipates only some minor equipment purchases.

But the supervisors said they would be considering replacing a 1-ton truck in 2009.

Some municipal officials lock themselves into the present without thinking beyond their current budget year. To their credit, Jackson officials seem to have an acceptable handle on both.

That should be a source of comfort to township residents, all of whom are affected by decisions emanting from the township government.

Cheer C

Veterans and active military personnel should feel upbeat over the pledge of retired Army Lt. Gen. James Peake to stand up to the White House, when necessary, to ensure that there is appropriate money for the care of injured veterans.

Peake is in the confirmation process to become the nation's next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. If confirmed, it is to be hoped that he always will remember that pledge.

Injured veterans must never be shortchanged in regard to their service to this country.

In a written statement to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Peake said he would be an independent advocate for veterans. In addition, he said he would keep an open mind about setting a guaranteed level of funding for the VA each year to ensure that the agency can provide high-quality health care without shortfall risks to millions of veterans.

The VA has been the target of increasing criticism over the care and benefits being accorded wounded veterans returning from the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. There should be no window for such a situation to exist.

Peake is talking the right talk these days. He must remain committed to his promises if his confirmation is forthcoming.