Although the second year of work on the new General Richard Butler Bridge, in the opinion of some motorists, might have seemed to drag on much longer than necessary, the new span is a great improvement for this city.

The result overshadows the wait and inconveniences that were encountered and endured along the way.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new four-lane bridge was held Thursday afternoon, with state Department of Transportation, city and county officials and state lawmakers in attendance.

Everyone who played a part in making the new span a reality merits praise.

City residents and other motorists who travel in Butler can now look ahead to another great improvement to the city's transportation network — the scheduled start of construction of a new Wayne Street Viaduct in 2008.

The printed program for the ribbon-cutting lists as some of the project highlights the new bridge's four lanes, two in each direction separated by a concrete median barrier; special features including ornamental lighting, a vintage pedestrian railing and textured concrete surfaces for abutments, retaining walls and one pier; a sidewalk on the east side; and road improvements in the project area.

Butler can look ahead to Main Street revitalization efforts with more excitement, knowing that this major revitalization component — which replaced a deteriorating 87-year-old structure — is in place.

Light needs to be shed on the administrative leave of Moniteau High School principal Stephen Puskar.The public has a right to know whether the leave relates to a school or personal issue, and whether district parents or taxpayers have any cause for alarm.District officials were wrong in not having at least a cursory explanation available for when the leave became known. Regardless of what's involved, it's unfair for Puskar to be subjected to rumors lacking any basis of fact.Ron Elliott, district solicitor, refused to provide any details when asked about the leave on Thursday. He said because the issue was a personnel matter, the district is not obligated to share the reason for the leave.But district residents have a right to some basic knowledge about the matter, considering Puskar's high-level position and the fact that they have been paying his salary.Taxpayers have a right to know if Puskar, who was hired in February 2005, still is being paid his regular salary.As of Wednesday, Puskar's name and photograph did not appear on the administration list on the district's Web site, which would cause some people to conclude that he won't be returning.The Moniteau School Board, which did not mention anything about the Puskar issue at its Oct. 16 meeting, is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the district administration office.At that meeting, the board should remove at least some of the secrecy surrounding Puskar's current status.

Residents of the South Butler School District should respect the vision of the school board in terms of the district's likely future needs.The decision to purchase 48 acres of land for possible expansion of the district's facilities makes sense, considering the growth in district municipalities that is anticipated.One proposed development calls for 1,000 new homes over a number of years.District officials are right, that with a regional sanitary-sewer system being installed, the district will become attractive for significant growth.District taxpayers also can feel comforted by the fact that the cost of the land — about $1.2 million — is being paid out of $1.5 million realized from the sale of four former elementary schools in 2002, not from new taxes.That money was kept in the capital reserve fund.