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Diamonds to Wilkes-Barre City Councilman Tony Brooks, proving again his love of and commitment to historic preservation by collecting a pictorial history of the deer statue standing stoically outside the Luzerne County Courthouse. As recounted by Jennifer Learn-Andes in Sunday’s paper, the deer has graced the city for 151 years, prompting numerous people to pose for photos from traditional to whimsical, and Brooks has collected some 70 such images, including people sitting on the deer — something that almost surely should be discouraged considering the venerable ruminant’s age. But seeing the pics from as far back as 1910 was refreshing and sparked, um, some mental rumination.
Coal to Luzerne County Councilman Edward Brominski for pushing, yet again, the idea of radical review of the county’s still-nascent home rule government structure. This is no criticism for Brominski zeal as a watchdog, but considering the county lived with the old commissioner form of government for 150 years, a wholesale revision of a system only in place for five years seems premature. Brominski suggested forming a new government study commission, which would open the door to sharp changes, including returning to the old form of rule. But it’s been only five years with a council/administrator government, and that’s just not enough time to really know what, if any, deep changes need to be made. We encourage Brominski to turn his watchdog eye to the immediate future. Let’s keep trying to make things work with what we’ve got. We did that for a century and a half before, what’s the rush this time?
Diamonds to Attorney Joseph Quinn and the good folks at Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn law firm. It’s nice to see successful people giving back, and for one full decade now, Joe and the firm’s employees have donated their time to organize and personally distribute free bicycle helmets to kids 12 and under (might we add that adults should wear helmets too; it does little good if you and a child are in an accident and the youngster walks away unscathed while you’re put in an ambulance). Quinn and company gave away helmets during the Fourth of July party at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre, then again Friday in Scranton. “To whom much is given, much is required,” said Quinn. “We have been given much, and it’s our pleasure to help others.” Too bad more accomplished people don’t share this perspective. A tip of the cap — er, make that helmet — to Quinn and his team.
Coal to those who argue unequivocally against raising the minimum wage. Few would argue there can be negative impacts. Certainly, debate is not only warranted but essential regarding how much and how fast. And it is almost surely too impractical — though not necessarily illogical — these days to argue the minimum wage should be a livable wage. But a decade without no increase has resulted in 70 percent of Pennsylvanian’s saying there should be some increase. It’s time to stop talk of not needing one and start talking about how high it should go.