NAACP leader cites need for consolidation
By CHRISTINE HAINES
chaines@yourmvi.com
Statistics point to one thing in the eyes of Mon Valley NAACP President David Hunter — the need for communities to consolidate.
Speaking at the organization’s Black History Month dinner, Hunter said the 40 communities in the Mid-Mon Valley have lost six times as much population as the Pittsburgh metro area since the last census.
“Our population is getting smaller, older and poorer,” he said.
Hunter said population dropped by 1,800 residents in Monessen alone, and the median income in 33 of the 40 communities is lower than the state average.
“One-third of Fayette City’s residents live under the poverty level,” Hunter said. “Local governments don’t have the tax base to provide municipal services.”
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