Feb 19, 2003 3 min read

Funding announced U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) said he obtained additional finding for locks and dams and for the United Mine Workers of America Career Center in the omnibus appropriation that passed Congress Thursday.

“The locks and dams on the Mon River are the lifeblood of the economy in Greene, Washington and Fayette counties with so many jobs in coal, steel and on the rivers themselves connected to movement on the river,” Murtha said. “So I’m very pleased that we were able to protect the $6 million increase for the ongoing construction work even though funding in general and finding for the Army Corps was extremely tight this year.”

The omnibus appropriation included material that normally is handled in 13 separate appropriations. The bill passed the House and Senate and now goes to the White House for the president’s signature.

Included in the legislation was $41 million to continue replacement of three old locks and dams with two modern locks and dams, including Lock 4 between Charleroi and Monessen.

The administration had requested only $36 million for this work, but Murtha said he succeeded in increasing the appropriation to $41 million in the House, and then succeeded in keeping it at that level in the conference report, a compromise version between the House and Senate in which many projects were cut.

By providing additional funding, he hopes to see the project completed sooner than scheduled, which would result in efficiencies and cost-savings for industries that use the navigation system.

In addition, Murtha said he was able to obtain $1 million to continue the work of the Career Center operated by the United Mine Workers of America. The Center, based in Washington serves coal miners who have lost their jobs all across Southwestern Pennsylvania and neighboring states by providing access to job training and counseling.

“It’s essential that we help our laid off miners develop new skills that enable them to move into family-sustaining jobs, and the UMWA Career Center has a tremendous record of success in doing that,” Murtha said.

The legislation also contains $250,000 for a veterans job-placement program run by the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Council based in Pittsburgh and Johnstown, and $150,000 for the Pennsylvania Association for individuals with Disabilities (PAID), which works on job placements for people with disabilities.

Meeting scheduled

Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority and Penn State Cooperative Extension are holding a “Charting the Future of Our Community” meeting today from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Titlow Tavern and Grill on Main Street. It is the first of four meetings aimed at planning improvements in the central business district. Business leaders, property owners and residents are invited to attend.

Parking restricted

Due to the snow emergency and limited parking by Uniontown Area High School, Principal Peter Bozick announced only those students who have yearly, semester or monthly parking permits are permitted to drive to school until further notice.