CheerU.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, says he wants answers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Good luck.Since the beginning of the project to build a new health care facility in Butler, the VA has produced a record of missteps and lack of transparency.The original contract, awarded to a Cleveland developer, was canceled when it was learned a principal in the company had been convicted of bribery and fraud.Months later, a new contract was awarded to a new contractor who planned to build 1.5 miles away from the current VA facility on property that lacks all necessary utilities and is on a small township road instead of a state road, such as the original site on Route 68, which now sits abandoned.The VA offered no explanation or reasons for chosing the new site or the new developer.Kelly says he’s frustrated with the VA’s lack of transparency and refusal to offer explanations for decisions. Kelly was right when he said that the VA must know there have been lots of questions surrounding the new facility decision — a good reason to be open and explain the decision-making process.Kelly said he sees problems with both the old and new sites. He also says he wants to hold public hearings in Butler so residents and public officials can pose questions to VA officials — and get some answers.Again, good luck.

JeerBillion-dollars losses continue at the U.S. Postal Service. Making matters worse, Congress continues to do nothing to let the Postal Service reduce those losses. Cost-cutting efforts including ending universal Saturday delivery and closing more smaller post offices are routinely blocked by Congress.On Friday, the Postal Service reported a net loss of $1.5 billion for the first quarter of 2015.The Postal Service receives no tax dollars. Yet, its operation is controlled by Congress. That is part of the problem.Efforts to cut costs by closing or consolidating post offices are usually blocked by Congress, especially when a House member hears from constituents who don’t want to see their local post office close, even if there is another post office a few miles away.The trends behind billions of dollars of losses continue with ongoing declines in first-class mail volume. Package shipping has increased, but that has produced higher costs.The Postal Service gave the latest red-ink report a positive spin, noting the losses were not as big as last year’s losses — $1.5 billion versus $1.9 billion for the first quarter of 2014. Last year’s total losses were $5.5 billion and were the eighth consecutive year of losses.Beyond preventing the Postal Service from making cost-saving moves, Congress also refuses to lift a requirement that the Postal Service must prefund retiree health care costs. This has added billions of dollars of expenses a year — and no other federal agency is burdened with such a mandate.Congress talks tough and members routinely blast the Postal Service for its yearly of losses. But at the same time, Congress blocks moves that could help reduce losses and make the Postal Service financially sustainable.A long-term concern is that taxpayers will be hit with the bill if Congress continues to block reforms.

CheerCommunities are sometimes defined by the quality of the schools, parks, library, streets, health care services and the arts. But what matters most in any community is people — people who get involved, volunteer, serve on boards and try to make the community better.While there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of people making a difference in Butler County every year, a few special ones are recognized officially. Among the best known is the Distinguished Service Award, which is given to a senior and junior winner each year.This year’s winners, Denny Offstein and Lyric Schnur, were announced at an event Wednesday night, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Butler and the Butler Eagle.Offstein, 67, is owner of Denny Offstein Auto Sales, but is best known for his activities to benefit the Island section of the city and the children of that neighborhood in particular.For years, Offstein was the central figure behind the Island Bike Rodeo, which brought children together for a fun day of activities — and free bikes. Over the rodeo’s 14 years, Offstein gave away more than 1,000 donated and refurbished or new bikes to city children.More recently, Offstein helped launch a fundraising effort to start a K9 unit for city police. In 2012, Offstein advocated for a police dog as a way to combat drugs and related crimes in the city. He offered a $10,000 no-interest loan to the city to start the process, which eventually raised $100,000.Schnur, 42, was this year’s junior award winner. Her community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Butler County Distinguished Young Women scholarship program, the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and the Irene Stacy Community Mental Health Center. She also is a member of the Women United of Butler County, which is affiliated with the United Way of Butler County.Schnur of Renfrew credited her parents with giving her an appreciation for being community minded and getting involved. Her parents led by example, Schnur said, so her own involvement was just a natural part of growing up. Schnur also thanked her husband and children for their support and for giving her the energy to do all that she does.Offstein and Schnur have made Butler a better place, as have past DSA winners. They will no doubt continue to work to make life better for others.