Enough of national politics. The emotional damage that political tribalism
has caused to the fabric of our society has been unprecedented. One candidate has become President. Millions
of well meaning Americans are not only unhappy, but angry. Until the next
national election their solace will be to break out the “I TOLD YOU SO” bumper
stickers and to enjoy the political cartoons lambasting the candidate they
voted against.
The 24/7 news cycle leading up to
the election was a feeding frenzy of overblown personalities, with sexual and
criminal accusations wrapped in unattainable campaign promises. Cable news and political pundits will certainly
not let the battle end. Congressional
opponents are already planning for the next ugly national conflagration over
funding the federal government.
For those that are sick of the
negativism and feel they have little influence over the events that shape their
lives, the post election period is an excellent time to look around the neighborhood. The irony in being a force for positive
change is that where we can accomplish the most, closer to home, we often
choose to do nothing.
Here in Washington County, zealous supporters
for both presidential candidates must continue to live, work and play together.
We can all agree there is much to like about our corner of Pennsylvania. Conversely, what important community work is
yet to be done and deserves our attention? On what can all citizens agree, regardless of
political affiliation? Where can we get
involved and make a difference? I will offer some possibilities.
Diversity Diversity matters
and must be taken seriously if Washington County is to reach its full
potential. The appointment of Ms. Geraldine Jones as President of California
University of Pennsylvania, a well qualified African American woman, was an
important positive step. However, the paucity of
minority employees in county government, the court system and law enforcement
remains an unaddressed problem. The fact
that the City of Washington has no minority police officers is rightfully seen
as an insult by the black community. Washington County should follow the lead
of other Pennsylvania Counties undergoing social change and appoint a Diversity
Commission to draw up recommendations for local leaders. Such a Commission is long overdue and should
be formed with concerned citizens and bi partisan support.
Citizen’s Library While all of
the County’s libraries are important, Citizens Library is undergoing a crisis
and needs immediate attention. Uniquely,
the Board of Directors is composed of representatives of each municipality that
is serviced by Citizens. Some appointed
Directors wrongly believe their loyalty is to their municipality and not to the
library. This has caused dissension on
the Board and an inability to address funding issues or capital projects. A consultant hired to make recommendations to
the Board, recently “fired” Citizens Library as a client because of its
inability to have the Board consider even the most rudimentary of structural changes. Concerned citizens should make it a point to
attend open Citizens Library Board meetings and municipal meetings in their own
communities to insist on appointment of Board members who want to see Citizens
Library move forward. Users and friends
of the Library should also call for enhanced municipal funding for the Library.
The alternative will be loss of staff and shrinking hours of operation.
Property Assessment Now that
the property assessment process is completed, county officials should remove their
political hats and replace them with their leadership hats by embracing the
results. Washington County now has an
equitable property tax system for the first time in many years. This should be a badge of pride and
accomplishment. We are a shining example
for other counties where inequitable assessments result in poorer communities
paying more than their fair share.
Unfortunately, the assessment
results have caused unnecessary fear, anger and confusion. County officials and
the media, including the Observer Reporter, must do a better job of explaining
the ultimate effect of the assessment to individual tax payers, particularly
our older and less informed citizens.
Those who understand how the new assessments will play out over time
should take the time to explain the system to their friends and neighbors.
Fostering a Sense of Community The
City of Washington is a bastion of community organizations designed to meet the
needs of its citizens. The City Mission,
Lemoyne Center, Senior Citizens Center and Teen Outreach are examples of this
rich tradition. Unfortunately, Washington County remains a jurisdiction divided
into three distinct social groups. The rural hamlets on the one hand and
Southpointe/Peters Township on the other, have little affinity for the City
beyond court and county business. While
not an easy task, prudent leadership should take steps to decentralize services
and activities throughout the County. For example, a creative arts center at
Southpointe is a good project for this wealthy business community, to integrate
Southpointe into the wider County population.
Citizens need to do their part by leaving
their safety zone and learning what the entire County has to offer. One of my most enjoyable experiences this
year was attending a County wide high school track meet at the California High
School. Free talks and cultural events
at W&J College, California University and the County libraries are under
attended. We need to remove the blinders
and take notice that such gems are happening every day.
Economics Washington County
is blessed with oil and gas resources that have provided valuable revenue and
many spin off small businesses for its employment base. However, since the oil recession of November
2014, we have learned that the cyclical nature of this industry does not insure
economic prosperity. As a hedge, non
cyclical “new economy” industries must be encouraged to locate here.
There will always be friction
between oil and gas representatives seeking to meet their goals and
environmentalists seeking regulation of those goals. Recently, the Pennsylvania’s
Medical Association called for a halt to fracking activities until more is
known about its adverse effects on our health. County leaders must not favor one interest
group over the other. Citizens should
not hesitate to get involved on either side of this debate which will continue
for decades to come.
Social Services This has
been the year of the opioid epidemic and to a lesser extent bringing mental
health out of the shadows. The Observer
Reporter has been in the local vanguard on both issues, highlighting them with
human interest stories that offer hope and encouragement. Washington County
should be proud to have a District Attorney and Court system that seek to treat
those with either or both afflictions rather than to jail them.
Unfortunately, the larger problem
with opioid abuse and mental illness is not empathy or criminal justice. Washington County needs additional funding to
expand existing programs and to create new ones. It is a sad experience to sit in on a County
sponsored public meeting to address how block grant funds will be spent for
human services, where no members of the public are in attendance. County residents living with or around
addiction or mental illness must get involved in insisting on better programs
and services.
I hope that I have identified some
issues on which die hard political opponents can agree are important for our
community. There are many other established
organizations from the food banks and literacy council to the domestic violence
shelters, hospital and Washington Symphony that need the attention of
volunteers who want to make a difference.
While the political climate may be stalemated
and vicious at the national level, citizens and local elected officials,
working together, can create positive change. If each of us were to tune out
the national news cycle and tune in to a local cause that directly or
indirectly affects our lives, the results would be “over the moon”. Here at home, in Washington County, there is
much more to unite us and make us proud, than to tear us apart.
