James V. Zedak – 3/20/06

This page was last updated on March 20, 2006.

Let’s talk about Crow’s run; James V. Zedak; Beaver County Times; March 20, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Over the past few weeks there has been a litany of pro and con letters to the editor and news reports surrounding some of Beaver County’s politicians, and most of it has been centered around state Rep. Mike Veon who has a leadership position in the House.

“My belief is that there has been hundreds of new jobs created, albeit the fact most have been in the retail sector which, for the most part, are low pay and part-time. These jobs, although welcome, don’t provide a family supportive income.

“If one wants to look at a prime example of lack of meaningful accomplishment that could have opened up the southern part of Beaver County to decent, full-time, family supportive wage jobs, one only has to look at the proposed Crow’s Run corridor, which would have provided a modern three- or four-lane direct connection from Route 65 in Conway to Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Cranberry Township.

“This road, combined with a bridge across the Ohio River to Route 51, could have been a vital means to keep Beaver County residents in Beaver County and not force them to either move or travel to other areas each day for work.

“However, this vital link has been a political football for more than 20 years and, as property values in New Sewickley and Cranberry Township rise sharply due to their own explosive, may well be the death knell for such a link.

“Politicians have a way of blowing their own horns at election time and proclaiming how much they’ve done for their constituents, but when it comes to something as vital to our economy as the Crow’s Run corridor, they’ve failed miserably.

“When it comes to the county politicians, they seem to have a wonderful ability to shoot themselves in the foot.”

[RWC] As in a previous letter, Mr. Zedak believes government can solve economic problems by throwing money at them.

I wish simply building bridges and roads would solve the economic problems of Pennsylvania, and Beaver County in particular. It is not that simple, however.

Remember the $255 million spent on Toll Route 60 [James E. Ross (D) Highway] in the early 1990s that was to spur economic development?