Lance: To North Huntingdon’s hushed-up candidates list. On the advice of the township solicitor North Huntingdon’s manager declined to release to the Trib the names of 3rd Ward residents who applied for an open commissioner’s seat. The reasoning: The names aren’t considered part of the “public record” until after the commissioners fill the vacancy. Excuse us, but that flies in the face of the state’s Sunshine Law regarding candidates for public office. Moreover, the names would be revealed anyway at an upcoming public meeting. So what was the point to stonewalling• Kudos to 4th Ward Commissioner Rich Gray, who saw fit to release the names.

Laurel: To “beer here!” in North Huntingdon. Township commissioners unanimously approved the transfer of a liquor license to the local Giant Eagle, which will offer beer in what will be a restaurant in the local store. It joins seven other Giant Eagle stores that are selling beer. The upshot is more convenience for consumers — and more common sense in Pennsylvania’s antiquated liquor laws.

Lance: To Hempfield Area’s quick-draw school directors. After the board voted to hire a state trooper to patrol schools — price tag, up to $92,000 a year — state police said it might not be until next year, at the earliest , before a trooper could be assigned. That significant detail should have been clear before the vote, allowing more public discussion of other options to best address growing concerns over students’ drug use in schools. Ready, shoot, aim is never a good policy.

Lance: To Jeannette’s fiscal follies. Jeannette’s ex-city clerk, axed this week, calls the city’s $4.6 million budget, approved by a 3-2 vote Wednesday, “the biggest farce, the biggest scam on the people of Jeannette.” In fulfilling the state’s Right to Know law regarding requests for information from the Trib, Stella Rebitch says she offended some city leaders — the same ones who say everything’s hunky-dory with the city’s spending plan. The people of Jeannette deserve no less than a state review of their city’s financials to get some straight answers.

On the “Watch List “:

• Snow’s cost: The bills for snow removal are piling up in some local communities. Southwest Greensburg, for one, reports it has spent at least $7,500 beyond what was budgeted. Some jurisdictions are putting all hope in federal aid under emergency declarations issued earlier this month. We trust they left enough wiggle room in their budgets if that assistance doesn’t materialize.

• Pothole patrol: Jarring road divots, some damagingly deep, are popping up fast and furious. Heaven knows what the full brunt will be come the spring thaw. We trust state and local road crews will stay on top of this problem before it gets worse.

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