The regional comprehensive planning effort under way in Buffalo and Clinton townships is evidence of the communities' realization that development in one municipality most often doesn't stop when it reaches its border.

The Buffalo and Clinton side-by-side existence means that many of the things that happen in one of them is likely to spill over into the other. And, officials of the two communities are right in wanting to put in place a plan as to how they prefer development and land use to proceed in the years ahead.

Perhaps the cooperative effort will pay dividends in terms of future state or federal grants on projects that the two townships jointly envision. Even if it doesn't, the communities are likely to be better off by not relegating their futures to happenstance.

A municipality that doesn't plan risks haphazard growth that works against the municipality's overall well-being.

Fortunately for Buffalo and Clinton townships, they have chosen not to gamble in terms of what the future might have in store for them.

Harmony Borough, which suffered more than $5 million damage from September's flooding, needed a time for fellowship and reflection amid the remaining hard work of eradicating the flood's awful damage toll.Thanks to Mayor Cathy Rape, that opportunity came on Nov. 27 in what was billed as "Thanksgiving in Harmony." Rape was the chief organizer of the community gathering, which not only was geared toward unity, reflection and gratitude by flood-affected residents, but also served as an opportunity to honor the many volunteers who converged on the community to help begin the challenging task toward recovery and then keep the recovery process moving forward.Jeff Smith, president of the borough council, who praised Rape's efforts regarding the event, described the gathering as "a wonderful way for the residents of Harmony to celebrate the real meaning of Thanksgiving."He said he hopes the renewed sense of community that has evolved since the flood will be a permanent, positive product of the disaster. Harmony will be a better place because of how the flood brought its residents together to battle and recover from its devastating high-water experience.Harmony residents were asked to bring copies of their flood photographs to the Thanksgiving event; plans are to develop a photographic history book dealing with the flooding.Indeed, an extensive historical record should be developed of the events of Sept. 17 and 18, and the recovery efforts that followed those horrendous days. That record should consist not only of pictures, but also commentaries about what individual families and businesses endured, and how they coped with what was happening when the floodwaters were rising.Future generations should be accorded the opportunity to learn about Harmony's strengths and perseverance during this community tragedy. Future generations also should be accorded the opportunity to gain an insight into the people and groups who responded to their community's many disaster-related needs.Thanks to Rape, the foundation for that historical record has been put in place.

Most Pennsylvania deer hunters are serious in how they conduct themselves during the hunt, and in choosing where to hunt.But unfortunately there are some who don't, like the two hunters who were hunting last week close behind a suburban Butler shopping center, on private property and within close walking distance to their car. It was as if they are hunters who want a deer to walk up to them, virtually asking to be shot.It is common for right-thinking hunters to say that an important part of what hunting is about is getting out into the "wildnerness" and experiencing and enjoying the beauty of nature. Hunting just beyond the seat of one's car doesn't fit that description.Such hunting also poses dangers for non-hunters who might be in - or in close proximity to - the no-hunting zone, not suspecting that hunters will be there.Again, most hunters conduct themselves properly, exercise good judgment, and obey all of the rules under which hunting is allowed. However, it's the few lazy, shallow-thinking ones who tarnish hunting's image and make the forests and fields more dangerous during hunting season than they need to be.