When he was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Clinton Township Board of Supervisors in April 2006, Blane Martin had the obligation to try to learn as much as possible about his new responsibility.

Obviously he didn't. And that was the basis for Martin getting into trouble with the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, which determined that Martin had used his position for his family's financial gain.

Martin was ordered to pay $800 to the state in connection with the investigation.

The investigation, which only recently became public knowledge, determined that there were instances when the board of supervisors made purchases that benefited Martin's family, without price quotes having been sought from other companies — and without Martin publicly disclosing his family's interests in the businesses in question.

Martin claims he was unaware of the state ethics code at the time, but he can be faulted for not understanding the responsibilities and regulations governing his position.

When he was appointed to his supervisor position, Martin wasn't a stranger to township government. He had been a township road worker since April 1999; he continues in that role today.

"There was nothing hidden," Martin said, reflecting on the ethics violations.

Still, Martin should have publicly announced his family's business interests at the time the purchases were being made.

The Ethics Commission's findings revealed that the other supervisors were aware of the family connections.

It's puzzling how Martin could have been so out of touch with ethics issues, especially since such issues have been reported in recent years on a number of other governmental fronts.

It's to be hoped that Clinton officials now have a clear understanding of what can constitute an ethics violation. Meanwhile, officials of other municipalities should ensure that they have a similar understanding.

While a final decision remains uncertain, the U.S. Postal Service at least is on the right track in deciding to suspend service, beginning Wednesday, to the post office in Monocacy, Berks County, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The community's population is about 100.Considering the rising costs of maintaining the mail system, the Postal Service ought to be evaluating the future of many rural postal facilities, whose customers can be served by nearby post offices.In Monocacy's case, effective Wednesday, patrons will have to travel to the Douglassville Post Office, which is only about two miles away.Monocacy has post office boxes serving about 70 addresses. That post office delivers no mail.The suspension of service at Monocacy hasn't stemmed from a Postal Service initiative. Rather, postal officials have been unsuccessful in negotiating renewal of a lease for the small frame structure that currently houses the post office.Keeping Monocacy closed permanently would be in the Postal Serv-ice's best interests and, considering the close proximity of Douglassville, it is not too inconvenient for Monacacy residents.This is a good time for the Postal Service to be conducting similar studies in many other places, in an effort to control costs now and in the future.

Obie Derr has been the engine behind many important accomplishments during his 15 years as manager of Moraine State Park, the crowning achievement being the park's recent designation as the number one state park in Pennsylvania.It is indeed a loss to Butler County and to neighboring Lawrence County — where Derr also was in charge of McConnells Mill State Park — that Derr has accepted the position of manager of Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County. Derr's last day on the job here was Friday.Nick Vaccarello, Prospect Borough Council president, was correct in saying that "it's our loss and somebody else's gain," when reflecting on Derr's departure.Over the decade and a half that Derr was in charge, his name became virtually synonymous with Moraine."All the reasons for that (Moraine being named number one) is because of Obie," said Jack Cohen, executive director of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau.And Derr was able to compile his long list of accomplishments, despite the state's park budget cuts.His successes despite dealing with those cuts are great indicators of his talents and passion for the job.For Derr, the move will allow him to return to the county where he grew up and live near family members who remain in that area.People of Butler and Lawrence counties who enjoy what Moraine and McConnells Mill offer, while being sorry about Derr's departure, can feel fortunate that Derr was based here for so long.It is to be hoped that Derr's successor will be able to build upon his many achievements.