Thursday didn't provide the most ideal weather conditions for wanting to stay indoors to hear about their community's growth. But residents of Jackson Township merit a jeer nonetheless for the sparse turnout at a meeting dealing with that topic.

Only about 15 residents attended.

Jackson, which is Cranberry Township's northern neighbor, is hoping to head off some of the problems Cranberry has experienced as a result of its initial hands-off approach to what was happening three decades ago as development moved north from Allegheny County.

But a good scorecard of Jackson residents' thinking will be difficult to compile if more people don't become involved in the process of charting what direction the township should move in the years ahead.

Fifteen residents are hardly representative of the township's 1,400 dwellings.

Granted, meetings such as Thursday's usually don't attract a huge attendance unless something controversial is on the agenda. However, significantly more than 15 people should have regarded it as being in their best interests to attend the session.

Jackson residents have an opportunity to make a positive impact on their community's future. They shouldn't continue to ignore it.

For some motorists trying to get through Butler on Sunday, its presence will be a headache. But the 14th annual Cruise-A-Palooza that will be held from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Main Street is a major asset in terms of bringing excitement to the downtown area.The Cruise-A-Palooza sponsor, Rodfathers of Butler, merits a pat on the back for the effort it puts forth each year to make this big event a success. It is to be hoped that the weatherman provides an improving window for the cruise fest to be held without any interruptions.For people attending, there also will be side attractions that they should consider visiting. The Butler County Historical Society will open the Butler County Heritage Center on West New Castle Street, the Little Red School House on East Jefferson Street, and the Lowrie-Shaw House on West Diamond Street for visits and tours.Considering the number of classic vehicles that will be displayed, musical entertainment that will be available for much of the day, as well as the tasty food to be sampled, Sunday will provide virtually a full day of entertainment that people of Butler County and its environs should not choose to miss.Sunday might not be a great day for "passing through" traffic that will be detoured over streets adjacent to Main Street, but it portends to be a great day for people seeking to have an enjoyable time.The best advice for the day will be, "Don't miss it."

Detroit musician Kid Rock says people should "level the playing field" by stealing anything they need from wealthy corporations.He made that comment after telling his fans by way of a "special announcement" on YouTube that he doesn't mind if, occasionally, they illegally download his music. He said he's so rich that he can't complain if fans steal a song or two off the Internet without paying him.The shortsighted comment by someone they idolize — that it's OK to steal iPods, cars, designer clothes and anything else — no doubt will give some immature people an excuse to take things that don't belong to them — without regard to the potential consequences.But it cannot be ignored that some people — the old as well as the young — look for any excuse they can find to justify some unacceptable or illegal action, no matter how flimsy the so-called justification might be. If they wouldn't find that excuse in Kid Rock's comment, they likely would find it elsewhere.Still, Kid Rock should have stayed clear of being a party to that unacceptable, lawless mentality. Celebrities can be outrageous and unconventional without promoting criminality.In the eyes of many, Kid Rock didn't erode his image during this exercise of his free-speech right, and the comment in question will be quickly forgotten. But there still are many people who frown on celebrity conduct and example that runs counter to the values they hold dear, and that they expect of members of their family.At age 37, Kid Rock is old enough to understand that his "steal anything" comment wouldn't be regarded as one of the great ideas ever put forth by an entertainer. But as part of the mind-set he projects, he obviously doesn't care.