Officials in Harmony Borough merit praise for finally resolving a dispute surrounding a proposed tourist information center on a borough-owned lot on Main Street. The land in question will be leased to the historical society at no cost.

The borough council's action on Tuesday allows the 60-foot-by-120-foot lot to be home to a log cabin-like structure that will house pamphlets and brochures promoting businesses and tourism opportunities in the community.

Despite the agreement, the borough will continue trying to sell the lot; it has been for sale for more than a year but has no potential buyers.

If a potential buyer emerges, Historic Harmony, which will build and maintain the tourism center, will have the opportunity to match the offer. If Historic Harmony doesn't buy it, it will be given six months to take down and move the center, to open the lot for the new owner.

Tuesday's action by the council didn't erase opposition to using the land in question for the center. Councilmen Dave Eberle and John Rice didn't relax their opposition. They believe the tourist center will devalue the lot, which currently is valued at about $40,000.

Still, Tuesday's action, for now, removes the lot from its status as a point of controversy. Plans for the tourism center — a productive use of the land — can move forward while officials wait to see if any interest in the land surfaces from a potential buyer.

Borough officials have more important things to do than argue about such an issue.

Wednesday evening's Connoquenessing Township supervisors meeting provided additional evidence that as long as Supervisor Evelyn Hockenberry remains on the board, there won't be peace within township government. She was wrong in refusing township residents' demands that she step down.The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has found Hockenberry guilty of four violations of the commonwealth's Public Official and Employee Ethics Act. The most significant of those violations was paying herself $10,000 in township funds for no valid reason between May 2008 and December 2009.“Why would I resign? I did a boo-boo and I paid for it,” Hockenberry said after the meeting.She should resign because those violations indicate that she deserves no public confidence in her qualifications to serve.One of the residents calling for Hockenberry to resign Wednesday was Christine Klink.“Wrongdoing has been done and your resignation should be given to the township,” Klink said. “We just want to have a decent township.”The township government is destined to remain in disarry until Hockenberry puts aside her stubborn attitude and, by her resignation, acts in the best interests of her municipality.Neither her governmental service nor her attitude can be tolerated any longer.

This month's issue of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce newsletter, The Edge, provides news on which the entire business community should reflect — and feel upbeat.In his message in that newsletter, Stan Kosciuszko, president, reveals that the chamber ended 2010 with 52 new members, “confirming their confidence in our organization and in the economic future of our area.” His message continues with the positive news that the chamber's board of directors has established an aggressive membership goal for 2011.Meanwhile, Kosciuszko seized the opportunity to ask some questions that are — or at least should be — important to all members of the business community. He asked those questions after expressing wonderment as to why any business would opt not to belong to a chamber.“Is it because they are not interested in increasing their bottom line through exposure to other businesses?” he asked. “Is it because they have not yet realized that in slim as well as heavy economic times, human nature is to do business with someone you know and trust?“Do these businesses not realize that through networking and sponsorships and advertising, they will build upon this level of trust and therefore increase their business?”This is an excellent time of the year for Kosciuszko to ask those questions and, in these weeks after the holiday rush, it is a great time for businesses to reflect on the answers.Now as in the past, the chamber strives to meet member businesses' needs and expectations. Those who aren't yet totally familiar with the scope of its work should get in touch with Kosciuszko, members of his staff or board members.Businesses are the foundation of why this county did not suffer the deep recession-related doldrums that afflicted numerous other areas of the state and country. And the chamber intends to remain a partner and leadership force in keeping the local economy healthy.