I hope new Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce President Dan Debone’s passion to help the working class is sincere (“New Westmoreland chamber leader seeks to expand outreach efforts,” March 12, TribLIVE). Westmoreland has seen a drop in the labor force since the beginning of covid restrictions in March 2020. And with no county health department, pre-pandemic issues such as addiction, inadequate housing and lack of infrastructure have devastated our communities.
We need leaders like Debone to work in the community to canvass working families’ needs. We need strong labor unions, properly funded mental health response programs, safe and secure housing, and affordable child care so young people like my daughter want to live in Westmoreland.
Commissioner Doug Chew has already expressed an interest in funding mental health care. Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher hopes to repurpose blight, and Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing to lower taxes on small businesses.
With Debone’s public willingness to listen to people in Westmoreland, and with so many great ideas and proposals from our own commissioners, governor and various grassroots organizations in the area, what to do next is simple: Let’s all work together and do the right thing to help our county thrive.
Susan Ferace Witt
Greensburg