Mayor's Forum Reveals Local Issues
Posted 07-09-1997
One of the biggest challenges for Westmoreland County's future is the struggle to keep our
small cities and boroughs viable communities, not only socially but economically. In an
attempt to improve the communication between county government and the governments of our
cities and boroughs, I formed an entity called the Westmoreland County Mayors' Forum. The
Mayors' Forum held its first meeting June 30, 1997, hosted by Mt. Pleasant Mayor Gerry
Lucia, at Leo's Restaurant. The initial meeting was attended by twenty of the county's
mayors.
In the first year and a half in this job, I
have had the opportunity to see firsthand not only the growth, but the tax base expansion,
and economic development that has occurred in the county's townships. I do not mean to
imply that the townships do not face challenges and they certainly deserve the attention
of county government, but the boroughs and cities face a special set of challenges.
Defined by smaller geographic areas, our boroughs and cities have a limited tax base, less
commercial and industrial activity in recent years, and often have older populations. The
municipal governments, particularly in the smaller boroughs, have few resources at their
disposal. Through enhanced communication and the identification of common problems,
perhaps the Mayors' Forum can identify mutual solutions that can not only make life easier
for the local governments, but for the citizens and taxpayers.
The first meeting was somewhat of a
get-acquainted session but several issues came up that will be addressed. One issue is
that many municipalities cannot locate interns from local colleges to work in government
offices. These young people could gain college credits and some may even earn small wages
and they could certainly be a great resource to local governments. Scottdale Mayor Tim
Carson said his borough has used an intern that was able to do grant writing and has
helped secure additional funding. But some municipalities were unable to find interns so
we are going to contact each local college and develop a program that would identify a
pool of young people that could help municipalities. This program certainly would not be
limited to boroughs and cities and can be utilized by townships as well.
Mayor Lucia also discussed the business
incubator just opened in downtown Mt. Pleasant. He identified to other mayors how Mt.
Pleasant created a Business District Authority that has worked with businesses, the county
Redevelopment Authority, and the Commonwealth to create the incubator. The issue of a
Business District Authority is one that intrigued several mayors and may be a vehicle to
help with economic revitalization.
Also discussed was the concept of a more
coordinated effort for purchasing between local and county governments. Two Council of
Governments (COGs) are already in place that allow governments to work together to
purchase materials. One in western Westmoreland County has even developed a program to
purchase vehicles that the county has used to acquire vehicles cheaper than the state
contract. The Mayors' Forum may be a way to bring county purchasing, both COGs, and any
other local governments together to identify was of purchasing materials that will save
taxpayers money at both levels of government.
For an initial meeting, I think round one
of the Mayors' Forum went well. In an era when governments must learn to be more creative
in how they manage their budgets and find new ways to cooperate and solve problems, I
believe the Mayors' Forum will be a plus for Westmoreland County. |
