Nov 5, 2014 2 min read

I know this will come off as old news, and that I am definitely repeating myself, but I feel compelled to offer some insightful commentary regarding Washington County’s 2015 budget plan.

Thank goodness the county has Cross Creek County Park to fall back on, as they are working through the budget process for 2015. I am so thankful the commissioners have this land at their disposal to use as a buttress for their general fund. It is easy to see the county needs this help, since there is an apparent absence of any true fiduciary leadership within the county.

For more than a decade, the commissioners and their planning commission told people in the area surrounding Cross Creek County Park improvements are coming. We just had to wait for funding, wait for grants, wait for DEP approval, wait for a private company to do the work, wait for whatever reason they could come up with in order to postpone spending money at Cross Creek County Park. It is now clear their ultimate goal was to build up their own little slush fund so they can make themselves look good, while shirking their responsibilities and promises.

I do have to acknowledge they have “finally” made some progress on the Thompson Hill project, and updated the area near the original boat launch, but this only improves access to the water and the immediate shoreline surrounding the lake. The county seems to have forgotten this “supposed park” is made up of nearly 3,000 acres. They have done a great job developing new plans for the park.

I just wish they would honestly follow through on them.

Camping areas, extensive trails, educational attractions, beach, sporting and event areas have always shown up in these plans. They just never come to fruition.

Corey N. McConn

Burgettstown