Jan 27, 2005 3 min read

We have on a few occasions commented that Connellsville’s leaders run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Dashing here to start something, then clashing there with opponents. City leaders rarely create anything other than chaos and discontent. It isn’t pretty. We are pleased to report that if finally appears as though the mayor is screwing her head on right. We hope other city officials follow Mayor Judy Reed’s lead.

The mayor this week called a public meeting to invite residents and officials to talk about something foreign to Connellsville – planning. Reed remarked that funding agencies are more likely to part with grants for municipalities that have strategic plans in place that list provide a checklist of things that need to be accomplished to better the lives of constituents.

Commissioner Vince Vicites, a firm follower of strategic plans, was on hand to talk about the county’s progress that was made by following a blue print. And he suggested that Connellsville not go this alone. The city, he said, should move beyond its borders to encourage its neighbors, South Connellsville borough, Connellsville and Dunbar townships to join resources.

We would add our encouragement to this venture. Each municipality has gone it alone, with the occasional alliance for sewerage improvements. None has made a tremendous success. A more regional approach might be of benefit.

Mayor Reed promised to call another meeting soon to continue this discussion. When she does, we hope she invites the neighbors and that they come.

Working as a region, rather than as isolated communities, is bound to pay off.

North, South Union forget city

North and South Union township supervisors are working to develop a joint comprehensive plan to look at common issues such as storm water management, sewerage and water lines and pockets of growth.

The cooperation that is needed to cut across boundary lines speaks well to the growing spirit of cooperation between municipal governments.

However, in defining what the plan will include, decisions had to be made on what not to include. Most notably lacking from the plan is the city of Uniontown. While Uniontown has its own comprehensive land-use plan and zoning, it would be in the city’s and townships’ best interest to stop viewing the city as a deserted island amidst a sea of development. The city and townships during the past decade have forged an alliance with the sewage authority. Yes, it was a shotgun merger forced by the state Environmental Protection Agency, but it has evolved into a compatible union. We had hoped at that time, and still hold faith, that this would lead to more joint ventures.

We had hoped that the townships would consider bringing local police protection to its homes and businesses by casting lots with the city police department.

We had hoped that the townships would look at the terrific asset of the Uniontown Public Library as beneficial to its communities as well, and offer some financial support.

We had hoped that the townships and the city would look at traffic patterns, and residential and shopping developments as a way to compliment, rather than compete, with each other. We still hold out hope that these can be accomplished. The two townships working together to define the strengths and address the weaknesses is a good step. But it is still just two-thirds of the equation.