The Journal uses this space today to issue words of praise or criticism to local and state groups or people in the news. Bouquets go to those we feel have done something right, and barbs to those who, in our view, have erred.

Bouquet: Clemson officials have unveiled an aggressive list of 18 capital projects costing about $21 million for next year to improve the city. The best news is that city staff has already figured out how to pay for these projects without having to increase taxes. Congratulations to Clemson for moving ahead with public works initiatives that will enhance the quality of life for Tigertown residents, and for being smart about how the bills will be paid.

Bouquet: Staying in Clemson, another pat on the back goes to Clemson University students who participated in the school’s Solid Green trash pick-up day Wednesday. First impressions are lasting impressions, and few things create a pleasing appearance more than litter-free grounds. Clemson University has quite the thing going with initiatives tied to colors. Solid Green was a hit among Tiger students. We wish the football Tigers an equally successful outing during their Solid Orange Saturday night game against Florida State.

Barb: A gig goes to Oconee County Council for not moving more swiftly to address continuing concerns about over-collected tax revenues. The council could ease a lot of grief and anxiety simply by facing up to a problem that is not of the current group’s making, but is theirs to resolve.

Bouquet: It was good to see that the folks at Seattle’s Boeing Corporation could look far enough over the rims of their Starbucks coffee mugs to see the advantage of locating a new aircraft plant in Charleston, rather than keeping the work out West. Officials believe that while the factory jobs will be located far from our Mountain Lakes region, there will be a ripple effect of support industries and training opportunities that will have an impact locally. We’d rather have the 12,000 direct manufacturing jobs, but we’ll take what we can get.