Jeers and cheers
JEERS: Fayette County’s economy continues to lag behind others in the commonwealth. Despite seeing a decline in its unemployment rate from 7.4 percent in September to 7.1 percent in October, Fayette County’s jobless rate remained the second highest among the commonwealth’s 67 counties for the sixth straight month. Fayette County’s rate remains far higher than the state and national rates of 5.1 and 5 percent, respectively. Fayette County’s rate is also much higher than neighboring Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Their rates were 5.9, 5.5 and 5.2, respectively.
It’s hard to pinpoint the reason for Fayette County’s dismal unemployment rate. The slowdown in the Marcellus shale industry probably has something to do with it, although it was never as big here as it was in Greene and Washington counties. Over the years, our unemployment rate has been among the highest in the state, but it’s never been the second highest in the state for six straight months. Perhaps, the newly-elected board of commissioners can take a fresh look at the problem and come up with some solutions. In fact, that should be job number one.
CHEERS: Kudos to Steve Neubauer and Johnathan Garlow for being honored recently by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce at its annual award dinner. Neubauer was given the group’s 2015 Citizen of the Year award, while Garlow received the Herman M. Buck award, given to an individual under age 45 who has given time and energy to community service.
The owner of Neubauer’s Flowers and Neubauer’s Market House in Uniontown, Neubauer has dedicated his time to several local organizations, including the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, the Uniontown Downtown Business District Authority, Revitalize Downtown Uniontown and the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council. Garlow, president of Ford Business Machines in Dunbar Township, serves on the board of directors for Westmoreland-Fayette Council Boy Scouts of America, Uniontown YMCA, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, the Fayette Chamber of Commerce and the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority. Both men are to be commended for their work in the community, and thanks to the chamber for recognizing their efforts.
CHEERS: The United Mine Workers of America continues to make good on its promise to preserve the memory of 37 men who lost their lives on Dec. 6, 1963, in a methane gas explosion at the 4 Main, 8 Left Section, in the Frosty Run Shaft of the Robena Mine near Carmichaels. A memorial to mark the tragic annivesary was held Sunday at the Robena Monument located on Route 21 near the Hatfield Power plant. A number of family, friends and union members attended that annual event.
Cecil Roberts, International president of UMWA, was the keynote speaker for the event, and he noted, “Someday, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary, and we will be here, because when coal miners and those who work in the coal fields make a promise, we keep a promise.” The union is certainly to be commended for keeping that promise. In doing so, the union is honoring not only those who died that day but all miners who have done so much for our country over the years.
JEERS: Thanks to some knuckleheaded vandals, Point Marion Borough Council may have to remove picnic tables and other items from its park this winter. Council Vice President Victoria Evans noted that the actions are needed to protect the park from damage by vandals.
Last winter, the park was vandalized, with thieves breaking into park buildings and stripping them of tools, equipment and wiring. It also was tagged several times with graffiti. It’s a shame that all the residents in the borough have to suffer from the actions of a few, but unfortunately Point Marion is far from alone in that regard.