Uniontown mayor looking forward to district meeting
Uniontown Mayor James Sileo said he’s looking forward to showing the city and talking about its downtown revitalization efforts in April when officials from as many as 19 municipalities come to town for the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities annual Southwest District meeting. “I think it’s great. I’m looking forward to it,” Sileo said Friday. “We have a lot to brag about in this city. We’ll take them on a tour and let them see our wonderful, wonderful Main Street and city.”
Uniontown, which is one of 20 municipalities that make up the PLCM’s Southwest District, will host the district meeting on April 17.
A dinner and the meeting will be held at 30 East Main.
Municipalities in the nonprofit PLCM’s five districts in the state will meet before the organization’s 108th annual convention in Scranton from June 20-22.
The PLCM was established in 1900 and strives to preserve the autonomy of local governments by serving as an advocate for cities and urban municipalities. The organization also offers a variety of services to its members.
Richard J. Shuettler, PLCM deputy executive director, said resolutions regarding its polices can be brought up for votes at the district meetings and, if approved, final adoption of the resolutions would be voted on at the annual convention.
“It has a formal place in our resolution process,” Shuettler said.
The agenda also includes updates on legislation that affects municipalities, updates on PLCM activities, an executive director’s report, election of officers and opening remarks from Sileo.
The current slate of district officers has McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster as chairman, New Kensington City Clerk Dennis Scarpiniti as vice chairman and Murrysville Mayor Joyce Somers as secretary. Greensburg Mayor Karl Eisaman is the district’s representative on PLCM’s board of directors and Lower Burrell City Clerk Ed Kirkwood is the alternate board member.
District meetings also provide officials from the member municipalities to network among themselves.
“It’s a great way to bring everyone together,” Shuettler said.
He said he expects 40 to 50 representatives from the municipalities that make up the district to attend the district meeting.
Comprising the district are Connellsville, Pittsburgh, McKeesport, Washington, Latrobe, Monongahela, Monessen, Monroeville, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Green Tree, Jeanette, Lower Burrell, Arnold, Clairton, Sewickley, New Kensington, Murrysville, Uniontown and Greensburg.
It was at this year’s district meeting in Greensburg when Sileo said he proposed having the 2007 meeting in Uniontown.
Shuettler said he could not remember that last time a district meeting was held in Uniontown.
Sileo said plans include taking officials from the other member municipalities on a tour to show them the results of the city’s ongoing revitalization.
At the meeting, he said he plans to talk about the changes in the city.
“It’s going to be about what we’ve done in the city of Uniontown,” Sileo said. “What we have accomplished in the last two or three years. I’m proud of it. I can’t wait.”