Help Save Washington Pa.

With the recent exchange of opinion in this paper and in the community regarding drug and alcohol abuse in general and the effect it has had on the City of Washington in particular, there is a larger issue percolating under the surface.  One discerns from the discourse that many County and even City residents have resigned themselves into believing the City is the social “black sheep” and/or “back water” of Washington County.  The thinking goes that since the City school system is failing, public hand outs abound, and its young people are drug addicts, the city is beyond repair.

             My view is that the City of Washington is a “diamond in the rough” being ignored and taken advantage of by the County at large.  First, it is unfair to compare a small school system with a constant turnover of students from economically challenged families to a homogenous suburban County school.  This is a fact of life in many urban school systems.  More importantly, the City provides all necessary services that the rest of the County seeks to avoid or takes for granted.  The hospital treats its sick.  The College educates its best and brightest.  The County offices run its government and social services.  Greenbrier Treatment Center (on the City’s boarder) along with the Sunlight recovery club and its resident recovery houses treat the addiction of its children.  The City Mission gives shelter to the family member no one wants to help.  Its churches provide the County with spiritual guidance.  Its jail removes its criminals from committing further crime.  Its courthouse dispenses justice for all of the County’s citizens.  Its public housing provides the less fortunate with a place to live.  Its library provides a gathering place and literary joy for all its residents.

            In return for all this giving, the City of Washington receives nothing in return.  Its tax base is meager because of the nonprofit nature of all the giving.  Yet a suburban resident forced to deposit two quarters in a parking meter swears never to return to the business district to shop or to dine.

            Ultimately, Washington County has two options in treating its tarnished gem.  The first is to ignore the problem, let the City go bankrupt and become a ward of the State.  This would be unfortunate given the new wealth and vibrancy that is permeating the County.  Alternatively, the County’s citizenry can focus on polishing up the old jewel, filing its storefronts with new shops and eateries, and make the City of Washington the center of the County renaissance that is now upon us.

            This is not the stuff of government handouts, or new streetlights.  This is not about placing the blame on a hard to find business district, or on shopping malls around the corner.  This is Washington County business owners, public officials, young people and professionals saving their county seat from a slow and painful death.  The City of Washington deserves to be treated like a shining example of County prosperity and not the County “dump.”