Chester County Is Leading by Example

By

Image of Downingtown via the Chester County Planning Commission.

By Guy Ciarrocchi

In the past, I’ve written about how blessed Chester County is. We have a history of engagement, bi-partisan planning and common sense. It is no accident that our economy is the best in PA and among the best in America. It is no accident that we have a wonderful quality of life.

Whether the issue was growth; balancing economic growth and the environment; or mixing the new and old economy, our county usually finds a way to succeed by discussion, planning and focusing on the common good. You may not always agree with the plan; but, you know there’s a plan and you know how to measure its success or shortcomings.

In this moment of crisis, Harrisburg needs the “Chester County way” now more than ever.

The governor and some in his administration have acted with a total lack of accountability and transparency. There is a clear absence of planning and focus on re-opening for what is considered the weakest economy of any state in America. And, in Harrisburg, the name-calling and exaggerations are out of control.

Where’s the accountability, the transparency? On May 1, the governor held a “press conference” to announce the designation of “yellow counties.” There are no clear objective standards for each color designation. Worse yet, notably missing from his “press conferences”: the press.

Is it arrogance? Is it that the governor doesn’t trust business owners; citizens? It is not merely that the governor has inexplicably refused to explain his “re-opening” standards; it’s that he does not allow any members of the press to ask live or follow-up questions. Questions are submitted to the governor’s staff, who then select questions and pose them to him with no follow-up, no engagement. Where’s the accountability?

Contrast that with Gov. Cuomo of New York. Whatever you may think of him, with a state that has had seven times as many citizens infected with COVID-19, he has almost daily briefings with live questions — from media that spans not only the city, but the globe.

Or, contrast that with President Trump. Whatever you may think of him, he has held almost daily, live press conferences, addressing issues exponentially more complex and more wide-ranging than our governor.

Where’s our plan? It is early May and Pennsylvanians still don’t know what a “life sustaining” business is — a standard put in place in March. So, the governor announced that 24 counties are moving along his self-created color-coded map from red to yellow. It’s unclear why they moved along; it’s unclear why others didn’t. By many metrics Allegheny County (home to Pittsburgh) should have become yellow — over half their hospital beds are empty. Is Chester County close to becoming yellow; who knows?

The metrics matter: Pennsylvania has over 1.7 million people unemployed, and thousands more working limited hours or having their pay cut. We may have the highest unemployment rate in America. How we got here and how we get out of here is now as important as monitoring the virus.

Extremism. Recently, the PA House debated allowing construction workers — roofers, brick-layers, etc. — to go back to work. In response, opponents of the bill said that the bill’s supporters cared more about money than life. Then, ads appeared on Facebook, in pop-up ads and YouTube showing body bags — making the suggestion that allowing roofers to work would lead to mass graves. Really?

Just six days after the House debated that bill, the governor announced a timetable for the construction industry to re-open. And, for what it’s worth, New York, California and all but one other state in the nation allowed construction to stay open. Did Gov. Newsom want mass graves?

Contrast the mess in Harrisburg with Chester County.

Our commissioners have held several town halls. They have posted constantly on social media — and replied to countless posts. The commissioners and county executive staff have almost daily interactions with medical professionals, mental health experts, chambers, business owners and private citizens.

The commissioners purchased 3.5 million masks; purchased 20,000 antibodies testing kits (so far) and have now created a Task Force of chamber, business, education and government professionals to help advise them and help engage and support the public as we re-open. And, they are also advised by medical professionals, daily.

While our three commissioners may have disagreed about the path to take or disagreed with the governor or the president, they have focused on listening, engaging and leading.

Together, we are putting Chester County in the best position to re-open, recover — and, hopefully soon, thrive.

If the governor and Harrisburg would help, we could safely re-open and recover faster. That’s our hope. But, their arrogance and lack of focus should not get in our way. As the saying goes; lead, follow or get out of the way. Chester County has done its job: Gov. Wolf, Harrisburg it’s your move.

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Guy Ciarrocchi is the President and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry.

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