— Laurel: We realize that even the most civic-minded among us have a hard time poring over the thick wad of pages and seemingly endless numbers that make up the Cambria County budget. That’s why we applaud Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. and his staff for their efforts to make it palatable for the rest of us. For the fourth time, Cernic’s office has published a booklet summarizing the county’s finances. The 16-page, full-color booklet answers the all-important question: “Where does my tax money go?” as well as dozens of others in an easy-to-understand format.

Laurel: Brady Moran said he had spent a year thinking about winning the Greater Johnstown Golf Championship. On Sunday, the moment finally came for the 17-year-old, who will be a senior at Richland High School. After falling one stroke short of his quest a year earlier, Moran was able to win by the same margin this time. We hope Moran reaches another goal of his: Receiving an invitation to play in the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions next year.

Barb: Major League MVP candidate Melky Cabrera has been suspended for 50 games. The San Francisco outfielder has tested positive for testosterone. Not only has he cheated the game, he has cheated himself, his teammates – who are in a run to make the playoffs – and the fans. “Ultimately, it was just a bad decision,” a teammate said. Yes it was. When will professional athletes realize that eventually they’ll get caught?

Laurel: Seven years ago, efforts to restore the Roxbury Bandshell began. Now, as the historic venue is getting a second chance, area men who had run afoul of the law are getting another chance as well. The men, who are participating in the Cambria County Costs and Fines Community Services program, recently completed work on sidewalks and the roof of the old structure. Hal Dues, who oversaw the Roxbury crew and who has worked on county Cost and Fines crews for years, said the program helped turn his life around. He calls efforts to restore the 73-year-old bandshell “a labor of love.” Sounds like two worthwhile redemptions to us.

Barb: Perhaps it’s just coincidence, but state workers, according to a state’s open records administrator, have been getting an education in avoiding citizens’ public records requests. Terry Mutchler, the office’s executive director, said trainers are telling workers learning a new phone system that they can use an instant-message feature to avoid the requests. Instant messages cannot be retained; they are meant for quick, routine communications. Under the open-records law, only “obtainable” records are subject to public release. Hmm.

Laurel: The Steeples Project, which seeks to conserve and find sustainable reuses for three former Roman Catholic Churches, has often been lauded locally for its efforts in Cambria City. Now, it has gotten statewide recognition. The Steeples Project recently received the 2012 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award  presented by Preservation Pennsylvania, a private, statewide, nonprofit organization. Congratulations also are in order for all of those who have helped preserve the churches, including 1901 Church Inc., Friends of The Steeples Project, the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, Lift Johnstown and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.

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