Middlesex Township officials understandably are embarrassed over “irregularities” that an annual audit turned up in the municipality's financial books. In response to the problem, the supervisors have fired Linda Young, secretary to the the township manager.

The township was awaiting bank statements and other documents to determine the exact amount of money that might be missing.

While township officials might be embarrassed that such a problem has evolved, they ought to be more embarrassed that they did not have procedures in place aimed at preventing such a situation.

Obviously, officials had put too much trust in one person.

Middlesex isn't the first municipality to have encountered such a problem — and, indeed, the township still must prove its case against Young, if financial records back up what is believed to have happened.

And, unfortunately, Middlesex probably won't be the last municipality to face such an issue. But Middlesex has learned an unfortunate — but valuable — lesson. That is that all officials must be hands-on in terms of scrutinizing money.

While one person might be directly responsible for the current problem, all township officials must share a substantial measure of blame for allowing it to occur.

Faced with a $10 million operating deficit and cuts to student programs and activities, the Seneca Valley School Board has raised questions by not already deciding to shelve plans for a new $900,000 press box at the football stadium.Facing such a financial crisis, among the last things that the board should regard as important is an expensive facility that will have only minimal use.Board members and the district's administration need to rethink their priorities.If school officials are hellbent on pursuing the press box project, they should make it contingent on acquiring the money through corporate and individual contributions, keeping taxpayer dollars out of the mix.The bottom line is that the board merits criticism for bemoaning the district's current financial state without pursuing an easy-to-absorb cut.The press box stance sends the message that a glitzy football field facility is more important than some programs that directly benefit many students.More than 250 people attended Monday's board meeting to express concern about possible budget cuts being considered. Many more should attend the next board meeting to make it clear to the board that a new press box should be far down on its to-do list — for now.

Buffalo Township Supervisor Dan Przybylek is well aware of the sputtering economy, but he deserves praise for pushing the idea that economic-development opportunities must nonetheless be vigorously pursued.Przybylek is focusing attention on the Route 356 corridor in the township, and the area around where that highway connects with four-lane, limited-access Route 28.He's correct that the area is ripe for development, and several proposals are pending.“I know it's tough times,” Przybylek said. “(But) it's no excuse to be dormant.”Judging from the past, the current economic challenges are temporary. Areas that plan ahead have a better chance of achieving goals if they have ideas and proposals ready to implement when conditions improve.Dave Johnston, Butler County planning director, understandably shares Przybylek's thinking and said, “This area has undergone significant growth and development, but there is untapped potential down here.”Przybylek, who will be leaving the Buffalo board of supervisors at the end of the year, plans to work hard over the next nine months on behalf of new commercial development.Przybylek deserves the community's appreciation for the leadership he is exhibiting.