The case for new Fayette County leadership
While everyone is paying close attention to national politics, focus on local politics and issues has fallen by the wayside. This mentality isn’t exclusive to Fayette County, as this seems to be a reality across the nation, but it doesn’t mean we should overlook local issues in Fayette County.
While sweeping many of the county’s problems under the rug has been an effective tactic for decades, it shouldn’t be a continued practice. According the the state Department of Labor (DOL), Fayette County is the third poorest county in the state with a median household income of just $41,632 while the State of Pennsylvania sits at $56,951. Yet no one in county leadership positions seem to be interested in tackling this huge gap.
Unfortunately the discrepancies don’t stop there. The DOL lists the county’s unemployment rate higher than both the state and national numbers. As a matter of fact, there is almost no month in the last 20 years where Fayette County has ever bested the state unemployment rate. And we are still voting for the same type of leaders?
But wait, there’s more. According to recent numbers. According to the U.S Census Bureau, the poverty rate for Pennsylvania currently sits at 12.5 percent while Fayette County’s rate is at 18.8 percent. Perhaps one of the most infuriating DOL statistics one can come across is the veteran unemployment rate, which the for the county is a staggering 7.6 percent vs only 2.7 percent for the United States. Fayette County also falls behind in median veteran income which is just $30,801 vs $35,981 on the state level. So much for taking care of our veterans.
What is being done to bring good paying jobs to the county? The answer from local leaders appears to be approval for the building of Texas Roadhouse in Uniontown. Fayette County deserves better and to do so we must turn away from the current political establishment within the county. For a new face and better leadership look to Jacob Ely for Fayette County Commissioner. A candidate that will fight for better paying jobs, improve transparency, and stand up for our veterans.
Colby Scullion
Rostraver Twp.