The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records' ruling that the state police must release most records about work that its employees perform while they are off-duty could in the future spare the department embarrassment like that which it endured in the wake of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's alleged sexual assault incident March 5 in Georgia.

A moonlighting state trooper who sometimes worked as a personal assistant to Roethlisberger was with the quarterback on the night of the incident. The state police reportedly still are investigating his actions that night and have barred him from working for Roethlisberger.

It's the duty of the state police to uphold the laws of the commonwealth. There must not be questionable actions and associations that could undermine the image of the department.

For the state police, as well as the government in general, openness is the best policy; it will discourage questionable issues from arising.

The Open Records Office merits praise for issuing the ruling that is in the best interests of individual troopers as well as the department.

Clinton Township officials need to learn to ask questions and beef up their clarification skills when it comes to financial matters.That has become obvious in the wake of the disclosure that the township received $11,000 to which it was not entitled from Comcast, which provides cable television service in the municipality.One check each quarter that the township collected from the cable company was from the franchise fees paid by township residents. However, the other check was money that was owed to another Clinton Township, but was paid to Butler County's Clinton Township in error.Now the local Clinton Township will be getting $900 less in each quarterly payment from Comcast until the $11,000 is paid back.Some municipalities would have thought to ask Comcast why it was sending two checks when a single check could have been cut to reflect the total amount due the township. If two payments were common practice for Comcast for whatever reason, an explanation would have enabled the township to note the specific reason for the two payments — providing an easier trail for auditors to follow when examining township books.But instead of asking a question about the separate payments and clarifying that there was a good reason for the two checks, both checks each quarter simply were deposited in township accounts as cable franchise fee revenue.If there is anything good to say about the error, it is that township officials will pay closer attention in the future.

Butler County Court, the state Department of Transportation — somebody — needs to find a way to keep Tony Lee Harris from driving when his driver's license is under suspension.And, considering what happened on the evening of July 9, it ought to remain suspended for a significant amount of time.Harris, 19, of Butler, allegedly was the driver of a hit-run sport utility vehicle (allegedly being driven without permission) that was involved in a crash with a car at an intersection in the West End section of Butler.Three days before that crash, state police cited Harris for driving with a suspended license in Summit Township. Butler police also cited him for driving under suspension on May 14 and Feb. 8, as did Pittsburgh police on March 31.It's obvious that a growing list of charges doesn't faze Harris. It's also obvious that the court system needs to change that attitude, and that the state Transportation Department needs to look closely at the situation.The situation regarding Harris merits speedy justice — and speedy constraints on his ability to get behind the wheel anytime soon. Unfortunately, little has been done up to now to keep other motorists, pedestrians and private and public property out of danger from Harris' arrogance and irresponsibility.That must change.