Municipalities, organizations meet for three days
MOUNT PLEASANT – Cooperation, collaboration and communication will be essential keys for local neighboring communities that are struggling to provide services and promote growth, according to those taking part in the three-day G-5 Summit.
The City of Connellsville and boroughs of Mount Pleasant, Everson, Scottdale and South Connellsville, along with Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities (PCLM), Building Inspector Underwriters (BIU), Smart Growth PA and Fay-Penn Economic Development/Buy Local Network, took part in the conference at the Laurelville Mennonite Church Center to discuss the varying issues facing the communities.
“The conference presented an opportunity to have an open, honest and informative dialogue with officials from surrounding communities to discuss similar concerns, potential solutions, resource sharing ideas and developing a personal relationship with each official thus producing a working network,” said Connellsville Councilman Greg Ritch.
Policing matters, street department challenges, public interaction and participation, health and safety issues, fire protection and the revitalization of business districts and bike trail generated tourism were topics broached by the attendees.
Alex Graziani, Smart Growth executive director, said that with state and federal budgetary cutbacks that aid communities, will make the next year difficult for municipal leaders.
“Communities demand a high level of services, but the next year is going to require a high level of austerity,” he said. “(The summit) is a good idea going forward; competitiveness has to go by the wayside; going forward will require borrowing and sharing with neighbors.”
Connellsville Councilwoman Marilyn Weaver said that her participation in the health and safety session supported her belief that the city is proceeding in the right direction with a health board and health/code officer to assure the safety of residents and visitors along with the proper maintenance of buildings.
“None of the other (summit participating) communities have a health board to work alongside their health/code officer with enforcement or decision-making,” she said. “I believe this system is vital for our community.”
While problem-solving was at the forefront of discussions, the leaders, too, were proud of the accomplishments of their small municipalities.
Joseph Bauer, Mount Pleasant council president, said that the Westmoreland County community has sought other revenue generating ideas, including gas well drilling on borough-owned property to help proceed with unfunded or underfunded park projects and other plans to improve the community.
According to Bauer, four wells have been drilled and produce an additional $20,000 into the park budget.
“If there was a spot to put another one, I’d say do it,” he said. “It is not the big animal that folks thought it would be.
“It is not going to last forever, but is helping us make some improvements.”
Mike Banaszak, Everson Borough Council president, said the community is now investing in the future.
“We’ve finally turned the corner,” he said. “We’ve been able to purchase two police vehicles and a dump truck.
“It might not sound like much, but we have made some real progress.”
Connellsville, too, said Councilman Brad Geyer is making advancements with the assistance of a variety of partnerships, including Downtown Connellsville, a main street revitalization program; code enforcement and with neighboring communities to purchase and share equipment.
“We are on the cusp,” he said. “We have a good foundation and a council that is working together.”
Summit keynote speaker, state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union, commended the community representatives for taking part in the sessions.
“It shows the commitment all of you have,” she said. “You are not alone in facing declining tax revenues while still paying for services.
“(In joining together) the communities are not giving up their identity.
“Each community has different things to offer and intergovernmental cooperation, shared services and collaboration will help you to survive.”
This is the second year for the local summit, said Jeff Landy, Mount Pleasant Borough manager, who along with Geyer and former Scottdale Borough manager Barry Whoric, developed the local conference for the participating communities.
“Contributions from officials and employees opened doors to new and fresh ideas, contacts and relationships that ultimately benefited the residents and business owners throughout the communities,” said Landy of the 2010 summit that brought together the three municipalities. “The initiative further strengthened the relationship between the communities that lie adjacent to one another and represent an essential part of the Laurel Highlands.”
Ritch, meanwhile, said that the conference opened the door for communication with Mount Pleasant and Everson as Connellsville pursues the development of a military honor roll and procedures for park and pavilions.
“Discussing ideas with (Bauer and Banaszak) about their outstanding memorials will greatly enhance our capabilities with completion of the project,” said Ritch. “In discussions with Mount Pleasant, Scottdale and Everson about recreational areas, we gleaned valuable information which will be incorporated into our policies and procedures.
“There is no sense in reinventing the wheel; we will look at what works in these other communities and adapt accordingly.”
Geyer, meanwhile, said the conference has already drawn interest from two other communities to join next year.
“With any event you hope that the next year will be better than the previous and this was the case with the G-5,” he said. “The (2011) event drew more participants, informative discussions and a variety of presentations.
“I can’t wait to see what we can do next year.”