Evans City Elementary School third-graders have a better understanding of the borough and its workings as a result of touring government and community facilities on Tuesday.

It marked the first time Evans City students participated in such a tour. But the students' reaction to their experience indicated that future third-graders also should have a similar opportunity.

Everyone should know how their local government operates, as well as being aware of the assets that their community has in place.

On Tuesday, the Evans City students visited the police station, community room, district judge, historical society office and library. According to an article in Thursday's Butler Eagle, at each stop on the tour students learned about job responsibilities of people such as the police, mayor and district judge and how they work together on behalf of the town.

They also learned about the duties of the historians and librarians.

"It's important that the school kids come down and see the history of their town and learn a little bit about what came before," said historian and genealogist Millie McElhinny.

It's also important for young people to learn early on how the various borough entities all have a role in ensuring their safety, well-being and quality of life.

No doubt the students now have a better understanding of their community than they ever could have gotten only by reading about what they saw.

While it isn't illegal for a township supervisor to hold another township position, as evidenced by some supervisors also holding the position of roadmaster, units of government should be reluctant for one individual to hold multiple positions.Unfortunately, that is evolving in Connoquenessing Township, where Supervisor Evelyn Hockenberry has assumed the roles of township secretary and treasurer following the resignations of the women who had held those positions, one of whom indicated that her relationship with Hockenberry had been deteriorating.Township residents who attended a supervisors meeting earlier this month were correct in expressing concern over the evolving lack of checks and balances in their local government. The supervisors should rethink the situation that has been allowed to develop, even though there is no cause for questioning Hockenberry's commitment to honest and effective government.The supervisors' hiring of an assistant secretary-treasurer should serve to ease some of the concerns expressed by residents about one person wearing too many hats. But ideally, in the future, the supervisors should give serious thought to return Hockenberry to the singular role to which she initially was selected to serve.It's significant when residents are concerned — and residents' wishes, when reasonable, should be heeded.The thoughts expressed at this month's supervisors session meet that criterion.

Two days after the second major fire in Zelienople this year, Bill Harper, a borough businessman, made a suggestion to the borough council that is applicable not only to the southwestern Butler County borough but to other communities as well.Harper suggested Monday that the council should consider a call list to alert nearby businesses if there is a fire in the future. Harper, who operates an outdoor power equipment business near the site of Saturday's big blaze, learned about the fire from a neighbor.It is important that in fires in which other structures could be endangered, occupants or owners have maximum opportunity to protect belongings — or, in the case of businesses, records or products for sale.Saturday's flames affected three buildings, but there was fear that the blaze could spread beyond those structures. Twenty-four or 36 hours later, had the fire erupted then, an entire block could have been in peril, as a result of the high winds that persisted throughout much of Sunday.Harper's idea makes sense and borough officials should follow through with the suggestion.Having the call list in place would be an excellent asset, not only in regard to fires but other emergencies as well.