Franklin Regional superintendent stresses need to welcome new residents at Prayer Breakfast

Gennaro Piraino believes the solution to Westmoreland County’s problems starts with a simple question: What would Fred do?

Piraino, speaking at the 45th annual Westmoreland County Prayer Breakfast on Friday, said Westmoreland County’s “economic crisis” is being driven mostly by a loss of population — which means new people need to be welcomed into the area.

“Our potential new neighbors must clearly see and experience our honest, hard-working and friendly nature as we overtly welcome their entrance into our neighborhood. We must live like Fred (Rogers),” said Piraino, superintendent of Franklin Regional School District.

Piraino said the decline in population has created a workforce shortage that could force some businesses to move or close — or cause new companies to decide not to move to Westmoreland County.

“That would be catastrophic for our region,” he said.

Piraino said Rogers’ ethic of shared responsibility should be what guides the county’s economic, political, educational and spiritual leaders.

“Together, we can and we will rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges that lie before our region,” he said. “However, statistically we cannot do this solely with our existing population. Our success lies in our ability to attract new people into our county and our region.”

Piraino said the situation in 2020 is not unlike the situation facing immigrants 100 years ago.

“In many ways, these new people will immigrate into our community in a manner similar to our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents,” he said. “They, too, will arrive filled with hope for a new beginning.”

In a nod to the spiritual theme of the morning, Piraino said local leaders, including himself, should take heart from examples in the Bible where God used “imperfect” people to accomplish his purposes.

He cited the examples of Moses, Jonah, David, and Jesus’ disciples Peter, James and John, and Matthew.

“God didn’t call the popular, the rich or the successful to further his ministry, but rather the poor, the broken and the faithful,” Piraino said. “God continues to use flawed and imperfect people to this very day. I will offer myself as a perfect example of imperfection.”

Piraino’s talk capped a program that included patriotic and religious themes.

Greensburg VFW Post 33 led the presentation of flags. Leading the Pledge of Allegiance were New Stanton Boy Scout Troop 457 and Greensburg Girl Scout Troop 21871.

Penn Middle School student Antolena Damico sang the national anthem.

The prayer breakfast is sponsored by the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce and Westmoreland County Community College.