The Center for Coalfield Justice launched an extensive Economic Justice Campaign at the beginning of May 2019. The campaign kicked off with a month-long on-foot door knocking canvass across Greene County. We knocked 1,374 doors and had 212 conversations with folks. The canvass was successful in helping spread the word to encourage the community to join us at two Economic Workshops in both Waynesburg and Carmichaels. In addition, we engaged with folks at their doors and over the phone around their experiences in Greene County and their ideas for the future.
The workshops were a big success. Attendees forged an original conversation, with multiple points of view, in a civilized and productive manner. Discussions included hopes for the County’s future, the history of the county, the lives and experiences of attendees, and a deep dive into the declining mineral value tax revenue, made possible by of our research partnership with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Due to positive feedback and a drive in the community for continued engagement around this issue, CCJ is planning to hold additional meetings to dive deeper and continue facilitating and uplifting civilized discourse around conversations concerning the future of Greene County. We are looking forward to encouraging residents to engage in active involvement and participation in forging the County’s economic future where everyone has access to good paying jobs.
As the County Commissioners embark on creating Greene County’s 10-year Comprehensive Plan, it is imperative that the public has transparent access to not only the process but the content of this plan. That being said, the Comprehensive Plan public comment period should open in mid-July and CCJ is working to inform and educate the public on how to make comments and have their voices heard.
CCJ will be facilitating and implementing a questionnaire/survey about our local economic needs for all candidates running for Greene County Commissioner. With the help of volunteers across the community (that means YOU!), we want you all to help us draft this questionnaire to candidates with your questions. CCJ will be at the Jacktown Fair, Rain Day, the Greene County Fair, and the Washington County Fair to discuss and receive feedback around Greene County’s current economic opportunities and what needs to improve for everyone to thrive in the community. We will be receiving comments and ideas for our candidate survey and we will be helping folks to navigate the Comprehensive Plan public comment process. Look for us in the tabling sections of the fairs- we would love to hear from you!
For more information about CCJ’s Economic Justice Campaign, to make suggestions, volunteer, or if you have any ideas about research for us to work on through our partnership with MIT, contact Heaven Lee Sensky at heaven@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org or 724-229-3550 Ext. 103.
