An article in the Oct. 1 Butler Eagle said "the Seneca Valley School District demonstrated its commitment . . . to address bullying with a presentation on technology-based bullying."

Trouble is, only about 50 parents were interested enough in the issue to attend the session, part of which consisted of a presentation by a special agent from state Attorney General Tom Corbett's office.

It is to be hoped that the low attendance doesn't discourage similar presentations.

The fact is, technology based bullying, as well as the traditional kind, can begin at any time. And, even if parents feel comfortable that their children aren't being subjected to one form or another of the despicable practice, are they really sure that no bullying is occurring? Are they certain that their children aren't ashamed to tell them about bullying targeting them — and that their silence might be based on fear of retaliation from the bullies if they get a parent involved?

The Seneca Valley program was valuable, if only from an informational standpoint, yet so many parents chose to ignore it.

Seneca Valley educates about 7,500 students, but only a handful of the parents of those students expressed interest in the message presented.

That's troubling — and, unfortunately, the lack of interest might come back to haunt some parents.

Officials of the city of Butler have given the impression again this year that they don't leave home after dark. That impression also was evident in 2008.If they really do leave their homes after darkness sets in, it's puzzling why they haven't noticed the significant number of burned-out streetlights that exist in the city.And, just outside the city in Butler Township, a similar situation exists in some places.In the city, a light at the southbound entrance of the General Richard Butler Bridge has been burned out since last winter, or before. And, since that time, other lights at or near the bridge have joined that one in going dark.And, various other lights have been dark since at least the spring, yet none of the city's powers that be seemed to have noticed.If city officials looked closely, they probably would find that the number of burned-out lights totals well over a dozen.Does this suggest that city officials don't care? Or, are officials trying to save some money in energy costs by alowing some lights to go dark?Or, are they just not paying attention?

Those who contributed to the Rotary Club of Butler's project to raise money for special fire detectors for people with sight and hearing loss should feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction.Their generosity enabled the Rotary Club to purchase 41 of the detectors, which flash a strobe light, sound a loud siren and can even shake the bed of the person needing the detector.The 41 detectors will be made available to special-needs students, with the help of the Butler School District. Butler Fire Chief Nick Ban was the spark behind obtaining the detectors. He contacted the Rotary Club about the need and, to the club's credit, the fundraising effort quickly was begun.The club's original goal was $9,500 but, again, thanks to contributors' generosity, the goal was exceeded by more than $1,500.The money is expected to last for several years for additional detector purchases, and the club has indicated that it will help with future needs.Butler is a generous community in many ways. It proved that again through this project.Cheer CThere are plenty of bad things to say about the Pennsylvania General Assembly, highlighted in recent months by the Legislature's unconscionable 100-plus day budget debacle.But there is one positive way this state's legislative body stands out when compared with the other 49 states. Five of its members also are serving in the military; that's more than in any other state.South Carolina and Massachusetts are second, with four members each.A majority of state legislatures — 34 — have at least one member serving in the military, according to the Associated Press. In all, there are 65 state legislators across the nation who also serve in the military.<B><I> — J.R.K.</B></I>