To those who don't remember — or are too young to remember — singer Chubby Checker's 1960s recording "Limbo Rock," the song was about a dance that originated in the West Indies. Dancers bent from the knees as far back as possible to pass beneath a bar that was placed lower and lower.

Unfortunately, Tuesday's municipal primary election in Butler County was reminiscent of the limbo, in terms of setting a bar lower. Only 21 percent of registered voters went to the polls, prompting Regis Young, director of the county's Bureau of Elections, to note that "in my 44 elections (since 1988), this is the lowest turnout that I can remember."

That's a dubious record not worthy of any plaudits. Just 24 percent of Republican voters visited their polling places, while only 17 percent of registered Democrats showed up.

It's clear that the voters ignored the fact that this "off-year" primary election dealt with offices that are closest to the people. Being closest to the voters, these local offices often have a greater impact on voters' daily lives than the high-profile state and national offices.

Tuesday produced a sad showing of civic responsibility. The county's registered voters should be embarrassed.

In his record, Chubby Checker asked, "How low can you go?"

It is to be hoped that this county never again records a turnout so dismal.

The walking and trolley tours that Butler Downtown is sponsoring this summer and fall are a positive addition to efforts to promote the city and what it has to offer.It is to be hoped that people will take advantage of the opportunities.Last weekend, for the first walking tour, Butler Downtown reached its goal of having a dozen participants. According to Rebecca Smith, the city's Main Street manager, if future tours attract more than a dozen people, a second tour guide might be used.Butler Downtown is the city's business revitalization program.With the success of the first walking tour and the first trolley tour scheduled for June 21, Butler Downtown should reflect on what it can do to help promote events scheduled for the new Pullman Park.The city hosted the National Club Baseball Association Division II World Series during the past week, but no one would have known it while walking through the business district.Many communities that sponsor such events display posters in storefront windows welcoming the event and participants, or have big welcoming signs or billboards at main entrances to the community.This city must not only host events but display appreciation for those events coming here. After all, the economic benefits of such events can be millions of dollars.Butler Downtown should consider ways it can play a big role in marketing the city as it pertains to Pullman Park.

Someone out there must be convinced that the new Butler County Prison will offer desirable accommodations. Why else would that person shoot at the prison's windows, risking the possibility of arrest?It is to be hoped that the person is apprehended and given the opportunity to be among the facility's first residents.Too bad plans for the structure didn't include security cameras for all sides of the building's exterior. The identity of the shooter might already be known.According to an article in the May 13 Butler Eagle, since two windows on the first level facing Vogely Street were installed last year, someone has fired at them twice. The most recent shooting was discovererd May 5.Fortunately the county won't have to spend time preparing an insurance claim for the latest incident. The two windows in question were to be replaced due to being defective."Someone's making the prison target practice," said Pat Stone of Massaro Corp., the Pittsburgh company serving as the prison's construction manager."It's someone goofing around," Stone added.While not everyone was in agreement that the downtown was the best place for the new prison, the fact is, that is where it was built and the property must be respected.If the shooter was applying for residency by way of his actions, the justice system — if he is apprehended — should not hesitate in approving that application for temporary residency at the new facility on the corner of South Washington and West Cunningham streets.