Evans City residents who haven't been paying attention to the workings of their borough government have good cause to start doing so.

Unrest and factionalism often work to the detriment of a community. What the fallout will be from Monday's controversy-filled borough council meeting should be of interest and concern to anyone who lives in — and pays taxes in — the borough.

In municipal government, it's rare for there to be a leadership overthrow, but that's what happened Monday when incumbent President Cheri Deener was replaced by Bill Painter on a 3-2 vote, with two members absent.

The meeting also featured unhappy exchanges between police Chief Joe McCombs and council members over the council's refusal to buy a new police car, as well as involve the police in 2009 police budget preparation.

While the council's concern about limited finances this year is a legitimate cause for delaying the cruiser purchase, shutting out the police from providing input regarding their annual budget is a mistake.

Communities routinely give their various departments the opportunity to make their case for funds for an upcoming year, whether or not there is money available for increases. It was an affront to Evans City's police department that it wasn't given that courtesy for this year.

The council should not allow that to happen again.

"My input was never once asked," McCombs said. "I'm handed a budget and I have to live with it. The police participate zero, and it makes no sense to me."

He is justified in being upset.

Meanwhile, courtesy should be extended as community business is being discussed — both by municipal officials and members of the public who attend meetings.

One blatant violation of the courtesy guideline that never should have occurred on Monday involved Councilman Harry Shaffer, who allowed frustration over arguments to overtake good judgment. Shaffer should not display anger toward his government colleagues, especially in such a public setting.

Shaffer told Mayor Gary Foster to "shut up" as Foster, who by virtue of his elected position oversees the police department, defended McCombs' police car request.

Shaffer told Foster the issue didn't concern him. But Shaffer's role as a member of the borough's police contract negotiating committee doesn't accord him special authority to decide what the police need or don't need.

He was a member of the negotiating committee — "committee" being the key word — not negotiations dictator.

Councilman Karl Kennedy described the borough's finances as being in "bad shape." He said people would be asking why the borough was buying a new police car when there are potholes throughout the borough.

That's a good point. However, instead of turning borough government into what one citizen in attendance described as factions, all borough leaders should be working cooperatively to find the most efficient and least-costly ways to address the community's needs.

Now that he has become council president, Painter, regardless of the reasons for Deener's overthrow, must strive to heal the obvious divisions that exist within the government. At the same time, Deener and those who have backed her should focus on the best interests of the community, not be party to lingering animosity stemming from what occurred Monday.

This is a year when borough offices will be on the election ballots. In coming months, residents should become more familiar with the way their local government is operating, so they'll be able to cast informed votes in the spring and fall.

And becoming more knowledgeable is best achieved by attending council meetings.

Despite the borough's problems and needs, Evans City's leaders should avoid friction and uncivil behavior that will only undermine the responsible tasks and decision making that they were elected to accomplish.