Laurels & lances: Help, leniency and goals

Laurel: To asking for what you need. It is a tired and trite trope that kids hate school. Parents have known for years that when summer vacation ends, most kids are ready to get back to the classroom. And if the coronavirus pandemic has taught us nothing else, it’s that most children actually look forward to things getting back to normal.

So it shouldn’t be surprising that Franklin Regional students are actually speaking up on the topic. A Change.org petition addresses the workload on students, the challenges of online learning and the stress of it all — particularly for those with mental health issues.

These kids aren’t asking to eschew math class for video games. They aren’t asking to have school put on hold until the pandemic is over. They just want to point out what isn’t working and where they need help. To the district’s credit, they are responding by asking students to tell them more and Superintendent Gennaro Piraino is right when he said, “There’s no blueprint for this.

But the students are to be commended for advocating for themselves. It might be the most important lesson they learn this year.

Lance: To truth about consequences. There is a lot of whataboutism happening right now as people look at the assault on the U.S. Capitol and compare it to the summer of racial protests around the country. Riots are riots and consequences are consequences, right?

That makes the request from Brian Bartels, 21, of Shaler to have probation for his part in the May 30 riot in Pittsburgh unfortunately timed.

Bartels pleaded guilty to one federal charge of obstruction of law enforcement for his actions, which included kicking off the destruction of a Pittsburgh police car when he kicked in the windshield and then spraypainted the vehicle.

“Mr. Bartels does not seek to excuse his conduct,” wrote attorney Joseph Otte, who also said his client was “ready to move on with his life.”

It’s up to a federal judge to decide whether that’s enough for actions that might not have included arson, but definitely lit a flame for the crowd that ended in that police car engulged in fire.

Laurel: To a lofty goal. Local libraries are the kind of place that can help you with almost anything. Need a book? Need to make a resume? Need a space for your crochet club to meet? Whatever it is, a library can probably help you or at least help you find someone who can help you.

And that is why Amy and Christian Lima want a library in Aspinwall.

“These days, a library doesn’t need so many books to be the center of the community,” Christian said. “We hope for a place where people can congregate, study, have day care and meetings, all with a good wireless connection.”

There is a planned space for the project in a 12,000-square foot space on Center Avenue. Now it needs money, and fundraising is under way to get the $1.5 million initial costs. Long-term operating revenue is expected to come from renting space to other businesses.

It’s a big goal, especially in today’s economic climate. But it’s a worthwhile one for the same reason.