Maybe getting older has something to do with it, but in retirement mode I find myself often wondering about some things I either read about or hear around town, then trying to figure out the logic of them.

Today, I’d like to share some of those thoughts:

• I’m puzzled about Coaldale Borough not having police coverage, instead passing on those chores to state police at the Frackville barracks, as if those troopers/corporals don’t have enough to do.

I keep asking myself why? One theory is there aren’t enough officers available, but I’ve read where Lehighton, Nesquehoning and Walnutport recently hired full-time officers, and, as far as a chief, didn’t Lansford just announce it has 13 candidates who wanted to be its police chief?

I read when the Coaldale Council adopted its 2025 budget, it was stated that $240,000 has been set aside for police. Since the town has no police, I wonder what the borough will do with that extra money? According to Schuylkill County assessment records, a mill of taxes in Coaldale is worth about $21,200, which leads me to calculate the $240,000 not being used represents about 11.3 mills, a hefty price for no police coverage.

• I’ve been told no senior Little League Baseball games were played on the Philip Melley Memorial Field in Summit Hill last year, and I wonder why?

Trooper Melley, a Summit Hill native, was a 20-year veteran of the state police at the time he was shot and killed by a 16-year-old boy in Douglass Township, Berks County.

A few years back, the Fraternal Order of Police and Summit Hill Little League hung a sign at the field in his memory and honor, a fitting testament to the supreme sacrifice he made back in 1957 when killed in the line of duty.

I understand the four PV towns joined forces to continue Little League Baseball in the valley, but I wonder why all the senior games are played in Lansford?

I say some of those games need to be returned to Summit Hill, first and foremost to honor the memory Philip Melley, and secondly, in fairness to players and parents from Summit Hill.

• I can’t help but wonder what the financials of District 11 and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association look like with regard to the what I believe are crazy admission charges they both assess for playoff games. I know, seniors get in for free, and I guess I should be thankful for that, but to be honest, I’d rather pay my fair share than to see the district and PIAA continue to make all other nonseniors have to go online for tickets. If I’m right, the cost for the latest games was $7 or $8, plus a fee of a dollar-something. That’s pretty hefty.

I might be wrong, but I think most attendees at these games are of the age that they have to pay; they’re mostly students and parents.

I’d be in favor of someone, perhaps the state Legislature, requesting the district and PIAA come clean with their financials, mainly because I think it would be interesting to see who is getting paid for their games, besides the rent, referees and security, and what is being made by taking advantage of students and parents on these games.

• My vote for school director of the year goes to Panther Valley’s Michael Alabovitz, especially with him bringing to light the budgetary proposal of the Carbon Career & Technical Institute, which is partially funded by the five school districts in the county.

At his urging, the PV board shot down the budget, which requires approval of four of the five districts. To illustrate his concern, Alabovitz pointed out the proposed budget had raises of 8% to 9% for the principal, special education supervisor and operations and maintenance supervisors. He’s also concerned about CCTI’s fund balance, which I’ve read, exceeds $4 million.

The Palmerton Area board followed PV’s action by tabling the budget vote, but it makes me wonder if the directors in Lehighton, Jim Thorpe and Weatherly areas, who all approved the budget, even examined the budget proposal before approving it, or are they in favor of 8% to 9% raises?

• And, finally, for the first time in as far as I can remember, my hometown of Summit Hill has a shortage of candidates for borough council, and I wonder why?

I started my political career over 40 years ago when I become mayor of Summit Hill, and never since that time had there been a lack of interest in serving among our townspeople. I didn’t check, but I’d bet even before I started in 1983 that Summit Hill always had more candidates than open positions. So, I have to ask, is public service waning, or are there other reasons why hardly anyone wants to be on the council anymore?