Cheer

Cheers to the people at work connecting low-income residents with phone service — you may have seen them at work under tents along West Cunningham Street over the past week.

In general, people living at 135 percent of the federal poverty line — about $30,000 per year for a family of four — are eligible for the federally-funded program.

That probably describes more people than you might think. Census figures that run through 2013 estimate that more than 27 percent of Butler residents — more than 3,600 people — live below the federal poverty line.

The program, called Lifeline, has prompted much debate between supporters and critics, who call it a runaway social program.

Lifeline, with a budget of $1.6 billion, costs less than two of the four programs funded through the government’s universal services fund, which subsidize things like rural health care and extending internet access to high-cost locations.

It’s likely that many of us, even if we’re not low-income, have benefited from these programs in some way. We shouldn’t begrudge people a hand helping connect them with 21st Century technology.

Cheer

Cheers to Rotary Club of Butler, which is preparing to renovate Institute Hill playground in the city.

The group has already raised about $90,000 for the project, which Rotarian and county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton said will cost more than $100,000 to complete.

The renovation is more than just a vanity or beautification project. Playgrounds can be an important resource for children and parents.

For young children, play can be part of a transformative and empowering experience that helps them create friendships, learn life lessons and stay mentally and physically healthy.

A playground can also be a focal point for parents and the community-at-large at a time when neighborhoods are becoming less familiar and entertainment draws people indoors more and more often.

Here’s hoping that Institute Hill’s renovation receives the community support it deserves, and the playground becomes the wonderful place of youthful freedom and exerberance it could be once again.

Jeer

Shame on the organizers of off-campus block parties near Slippery Rock University. Their events are putting people in danger and diverting critical public safety personnel, who have better things to do than baby sit out-of-control college students.

If your event is drawing out fire, EMS and state police personnel for hours on end, and sending more than a dozen people to the hospital or local lockup, you’re doing something wrong.

In April, two young women were hit by an unoccupied, runaway car during an annual event at The Heights apartment complex in Slippery Rock Township.

On Thursday, at University Village, ambulances took 14 people to the hospital with symptoms described as alcohol poisoning. Fire and police personnel were on-scene until the wee hours of Friday morning.

These events aren’t parties; they’re dangerous free-for-alls. Yet the owners of these apartment complexes, which organize the events, market and celebrate them to students.

What’s there to be proud of? The party promoters and hosts should be ashamed of their wanton disregard for both the safety of their residents and the people of Butler County.