Much work left to do
I wish to applaud Connellsville City Council for the decorative lighting downtown. This is a step in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done.
New light fixtures and replacement of trees is a cosmetic approach to make our city more inviting, but the empty, boarded-up, and in many cases unsafe storefronts overshadow current efforts.
Before Connellsville can experience ‘true revitalization’ more groundwork must be completed that will permit the fruits of council’s labor to be truly appreciated.
All ordinances in our city must be updated to match the ICC (formally known as VOCA) ordinances.
Where necessary align such ordinances and penalties for noncompliance to meet the city’s agenda for complete revitalization.
This information should be made readily available to council and to the zoning board, the code enforcement and health officer, police chief, and fire chief.
Once this is accomplished the city has the ‘tools’ necessary to bring about revitalization. Property owners will have a choice – compliance or courts.
The privilege to own property carries the responsibility to maintain such in compliance with the law.
When owners become negligent it becomes a matter of governmental obligation to exercise all legal options.
The current administration (namely the city’s board of health) has done a magnificent job updating city codes.
It is now up to council to utilize such tools as Connellsville moves into the future.
The city’s various boards and authorities are assets to our city and every effort should be made by all to work together for the betterment of Connellsville.
All avenues for grant money and for tax-relief or tax incentives (i.e. with landlords matching such dollar-for-dollar in renovations to bring their facilities into compliance with code and inviting to new business) must be explored.
The county government and school boards must be willing to work with all municipalities in Fayette County.
The bottom line is municipal growth is county growth.
City council must work closely with the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority and zoning board.
I also want to commend council for all the work done at East Park but I urge you to find ways to protect that investment.
Explore grants to hire park police or security person who will be equipped via radio communications with Connellsville police. Council continuously spends dollars in East Park to repair or replace what vandals destroy, so it makes sense to provide protection of that city property.
Council must work together to see a rebirth in Connellsville and to protect current investments.
Teamwork, unlike puppetry, is vital to successful leadership and revitalization program.
A cooperative dialog must transpire between members of council and between council and its authorities and boards.
Ideas and accomplishments must not be labeled as “mine” or “yours” but rather “ours.”
There is no place for vengeance in politics. Any candidate for office as well as to those seated in office must always stand on the principles to perform their respective responsibilities honestly, to the best of their ability, and in the best interest of the city.
I commend those who do so and I further commend the city for moving forward with the Wide Water project.
As Connellsville approaches its bicentennial I cannot place enough emphasis on the necessity of teamwork for this and future city councils.
Dennis McKendry
Connellsville