Down River

By John Lipez

I Just Have to Laugh:

Someone earlier this week shared word about aspersions cast on The Record and its reporting, the source of the criticism Michele Whitney, a principal in the semi-secret Watch Dog Clinton County organization.

She posted word on the Watchdog’s closed-to-visitors site something about an alleged shooting on Friday of last week, carried out by a police officer in a community outside Lock Haven, the victim a dog.

Part of the post from her intimated the township where the incident was alleged to have occurred had sufficient time to send out a release. Then she posted this: “The people deserve more than silence. The Express and The Record are aware of this incident, yet you won’t see a word in either. The government-controlled media carries their water protecting their meal ticket.”

Huh?

That’s the classic “when did you stop beating your wife?” tactic bad lawyers have been known to try in court. For the record, while we can’t speak for The Express, The Record was not aware of this incident until Monday of this week (having been made aware, we are following up to see if there is any substance to the allegation and will proceed accordingly, to see what story could be there; by the time you read this, expect that  a story or two on the topic will have appeared on therecord-online).

Ms. Whitney then pontificated, “Watchdogs are not paid. We do not work for the government. We work for the people and do not approve of very important issues like this being swept under the rug. We demand transparency and accountability.”

Powerful words but based on a false premise. If Ms. Whitney feels so strongly about transparency and accountability in local government, she should run for office. Oh wait, she did.

*****

Something Positive:

In an effort to continue something of a positive nature in recent Down Rivers, how about a shout out to the start of a new Keystone and Clinton baseball/softball Little League playoff season?

A special thank you to the coaches and other volunteers who provide untold hours to kids in our communities. And here’s an unusual suggestion that showed up on Little League’s District 12 Facebook page this week (Keystone and Clinton are part of District 12): They’ve created their first-ever made-up holiday week, calling it Umpire Week.

As noted in the post, umpires pour their heart and time into the regular season and postseason. “They show up early. Hang out during these rain delays and simply don’t get the credit they deserve.” The district post urges those involved to thank the umpires for what they do, encouraging players to give an ump a fist bump and say some kind words.

The thank you suggestion is a point well taken. These men and women volunteer their time for the playoff games and give their best. More often than note, they are underappreciated (Down River has been known to raise an on-air eyebrow or two, disputing the occasional calls by umps and referees in amateur sports in the area).

But sports locally and across the state and nation are constantly looking for more men and women to officiate our kids’ games. The District 12 Umpire Week is a nice way to remind us to be kind to these men and women in blue, those with masks on their heads and ball bags on their hips.

And speaking of Little League, The Record hopes you enjoy the story in this week’s paper on the creation of Keystone baseball here at home. We can’t thank local sports historian Joe “Cisco” Walker for his help in sharing his memories on the start of Keystone nearly a quarter of a century ago. And Cisco was actually part of that beginning in his role as a manager and president of the Mill Hall Little League.

Here we are, nearly 25 years later, and Keystone has developed into one of the most successful Little League programs in the state.

Keystone and Clinton have a variety of baseball and softball teams currently competing. Check the District 12 Facebook page to find out when and where (District Administrator and Keystone President Rich Lyons does an outstanding job in keeping everyone posted).

Check the schedule, then spend a summer evening watching the boys and girls of summer play ball. Encourage them, even encourage the umpires. You’ll all be the better for it.