The City of Washington
has not had a good summer. The national
media has focused on a small community’s inexplicable spike in heroin overdoses
and increased crime. The City Mission
experienced a depilating fire. A little
known web site (roadsnacks.net) has captured our attention by crowning
Washington the most redneck city in Pennsylvania. This was based on the High School graduation
rate, the number of dive bars, tobacco and gun stores, mobile home parks and
Waffle House restaurants, among other factors. Even an attempt to “redd-up” a
vacant lot and make it into an art filled Parklet backfired and was not to be.
This is not the
time for City residents to shurge their shoulders in defeat or for County
residents to nod their heads in agreement with the City’s plight. This is the time to stand up and take action.
It is my humble
opinion that lifelong residents of our community are myopic and cannot see the
forest through the trees. I have lived
in the idyllic bedroom communities of Hunterdon County New Jersey, Swarthmore
Pennsylvania and Fox Chapel Pennsylvania.
None provided the outstanding standard of living available in my adopted
home town of East Washington Pennsylvania.
Let me count the ways.
Housing costs
and property taxes are so favorable, particularly within the City, that I shout
the praises of Washington as a place to retire at every opportunity. The benefits of a major metropolitan area and
airport are minutes away. Washington
sits at the intersection of two major interstates which have attracted a minor
league baseball franchise, Casino, first class wellness center, unlimited
dining choices, traditional and discount shopping venues and a volunteer
symphony. An exceptional Hospital,
thriving daily newspaper, small Liberal Arts College, beautiful park, farmers’
market and numerous places of worship are situated within the City’s borders. Public transportation has been vastly
improved. The County as a whole is at
the center of America’s new energy boom which will provide economic opportunity
for decades to come. Lastly, a community
of hard working friendly people are employed in local government and in the
retail outlets and professional offices.
I can assure you
that community leaders throughout the Country would love to have the opportunities
available in our area with which to plan and revitalize a small American city. There are certainly problems that must be
addressed including widespread drug use and the crime it fosters, poverty,
minority unemployment and a shrinking tax base.
So what is to be done?
First, the
fruits of economic development, evident throughout the County must be utilized
in reviving the City. It is simply not
fair for the County to continue to use the City as a dumping ground for all of
its unpleasant but necessary social services, governmental and low income
needs, without making the renaissance of the City its first priority.
Second, non
City residents must recognize the benefits the City provides to the rest of the
County and be willing to help pay for this privilege. This can be accomplished through a County
wide taxing scheme that does not go to the City’s general fund, but is
earmarked only for City redevelopment.
The County must be an equal partner in choosing and implementing projects
in return for raising the funds.
Third, the
County must begin a major campaign to attract small retailers and retired
individuals looking for a place to settle apart from the expensive northeast
corridor and even from the burden of Allegheny County taxes. There are many who prefer to settle in a low
cost area that offers a change of seasons with quick access to an interstate
and an airport. The City business
district is an excellent location to build garden apartment style retirement
housing, interspersed with specialty retail shops.
Fourth,
renovation plans must not leave behind our City’s citizens in most need of
assistance. While our small City school
system is a dying breed in public education, it performs remarkably well given
the number of low income and academically challenged students. Give educators the resources they need to
improve test scores, graduation results and post secondary school placement.
Lastly, bring
meaningful job training programs into the City to address the unemployment and
underemployment in a County of plentiful jobs.
There is no reason that jobs related to the energy boom should not be
filled with local well trained students as opposed to “out of towners”. Give
energy companies tax credits to do the training and hiring.
This is not the
time for Washington Officials to become insular, defensive or to point fingers. It is time to be bold and think outside the
box. It is their responsibility to do so
and the rewards will be great. Thankfully resources are available to make this
happen. While some new programs may fail, others will not and the City will
become a better place.
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