Without question, a troubling breakdown occurred in regard to the bidding for a new nurse call system that is part of the $4.8 million Sunnyview Home renovation project.

That breakdown should not have occurred, and county Controller Jack McMillin is correct at balking at payment of $58,023 in labor costs.

McMillin should not pay the bill until a court order is obtained to release the payment. That would free his office from any possible negative consequences stemming from paying a bill under a contract whose legality is in question.

Regarding the issue, McMillin is claiming an evasion of sealed bidding regulations. He has accused Jeron Systems of Chicago, which provided the nurse call system, with misrepresenting itself. Thus, he said, there is not a legally binding contract in place.

The county had assumed the Jeron bid included labor costs, but county officials didn't ascertain whether that assumption was correct.

There is no room for assumption in the bidding process. Any vague language should be clarified before a contract is awarded.

There also is no room for the controller to authorize payment when there are legal issues surrounding the payment. That could compound the mistake already made.

County officials who review submitted bids and who are responsible for determining whether or not they meet specifications — and whether or not they are consistent with the provisions contained in competing bids — should understand the dangers of ignoring technicalities.

The Butler School District has been able to boast many accomplishments over the years. Now it has a new one, with a district nurse having been named the recipient of the 2008 Pennsylvania School Nurse of the Year Award.Carol Patrick, who works at the Center Avenue and Meridian elementary schools, was accorded the honor by the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners. Patrick will be honored at the association's awards banquet in March, and she is eligible for the National School Nurse of the Year Award.Carolyn Cornish, a district assistant superintendent, wrote a letter of recommendation on Patrick's behalf. It noted what was described as Patrick's vast list of accomplishments.At a school board meeting Monday night, Cornish described Patrick, a nurse in the district for more than 15 years, as the district's "legal guru on nursing issues."As part of her duties, Patrick develops plans for students with Type I diabetes who are starting school, works with new and student nurses, and obtains answers when colleagues have questions."She (Patrick) is not afraid to take a stand for what she knows to be true as she fights for her students' rights," said Charity Istone, president of the school nurses association, in the association's congratulatory letter. "She is someone we would all want on our side."That is a wonderful tribute to Patrick and an honor to the school district that it has such a capable individual in such an important role.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson employed all the right moves at Monday's sentencing hearing for suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.Not only did the judge sentence Vick to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting operation and for killing dogs that were not aggressive-enough fighters, he also delivered the proper message that Vick owed an apology to many more people than his family and the court."You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you," Hudson said, after Vick mentioned only the court and his family in his initial apology.No one should feel sorry for Michael Vick. He is responsible for what has occurred in his life and now must face the consequences.