Mike Slupe, who was elected Tuesday to be Butler County's next sheriff, as well as his opponent, Roland Livermore, deserve plaudits for steering clear of negative campaigning leading up to the balloting.

What can be regarded as the most-visible battle on the countywide election front this year was decided on positive bases, rather than campaigns that sought to drag each candidate through the proverbial mud and paint them as not worthy of the position.

Both of the candidates were — and are — capable of being a good sheriff. This time the voters selected Slupe; his challenge is to build upon that expressed confidence.

As for Livermore, he displayed positive attributes in terms of holding public office and he should weigh other possibilities in the future.

Negative campaigning would have damaged the images of the two candidates. To their credit, Slupe and Livermore can look ahead without having to try to mend the people's perception of them.

The registered-voter population of Slippery Rock Township is deserving of a spot on the "Wall of Shame" for the number of voters who went to the polls on Tuesday.Only 483 of the township's 4,000 voters — 12 percent — mustered the ambition to travel to their polling place to exercise their voting right and responsibility. That was the lowest percent in any of the county's 89 precincts.The percentage was less than half of the percentage recorded by the county as a whole, which was 26 percent.Slippery Rock Township is home to 1,760 Democrats, 1,509 Republicans, 14 Libertarians and 717 others, including independents.Granted, there might not have been an exciting political battle in the township, but township voters should have considered it important to help decide the countywide sheriff's contest as well as vote in school board balloting.It is the school districts that hand most people their largest or second-largest tax bill each year.Township voters obviously miscalculated the importance of this year's "off year" election, the election in which public offices closest to the people are up for grabs.The attention on the township stemming from its dismal showing Tuesday hopefully will inspire more enthusiasm by the voters next year — a year that will feature a gubernatorial race as well as competition for state and federal legislative offices — as well as in 2011, the next "off year" balloting.The countywide election turnout wasn't anything to brag about, and nobody is. But Slippery Rock Township's turnout suggests deep-seated apathy and, maybe, resentment of the conduct of government on all levels.Or, could it be, the unlikely possibility that most people in the township are happy with current conditions at all levels of government?Regardless, changing the course of government rests with the voters — a fact that a 12 percent turnout ignores.Should Slippery Rock voters hang their heads in shame? Certainly.Unfortunately, there were a number of precincts not far behind, especially in the southern part of the county, which need to examine their commitment to the election process as well.

The outpatient clinic being established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Cranberry Township is a welcome addition to the health care resources available in southwestern Butler County.The new clinic will be in Freedom Square at 1183 Freedom Road in Cranberry Township.Estimates are that the clinic will serve 3,000 veterans. It will be operated by Valor Healthcare, which is based in Washington, D.C., under a contract with VA Butler Healthcare.Valor Healthcare will provide primary care, laboratory and radiology services; VA Butler Healthcare will provide outpatient behavioral health services.Patricia Nealon, VA Butler Healthcare director, said, "This new clinic will enable VA Butler to better meet the needs of veterans by continuing to provide access to quality care and services in a convenient and timely manner."According to the currrent timetable, the Cranberry clinic will begin accepting patients in mid-December. For many of the veterans who will use its services, the clinic will greatly reduce traveling time — a benefit especially to those veterans dealing with physical disabilities.Southwestern Butler County has many resources and services, from the health care perspective and otherwise. This one, dedicated exclusively to veterans, is an important addition that will make the southwestern sector even more desirable and inviting.