Unity Party gives Monessen a chance to join together

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

The first 2021 Unity Party in Monessen brought together families, Westmoreland County legislators, city officials, the Salvation Army, churches and kids in search of games and cotton candy at Ninth Street Park.

Ron Mozer, who won both parties’ nomination for mayor in this year’s primary, threw the event and plans to have at least one, if not two, more this year.

“I thought it went really well,” Mozer said.

There were five churches on hand along with the Salvation Army Mon Valley Citadel of Monessen. Capt. Sue Thwaite of the Salvation Army brought hot dogs, sno cones, popcorn and cotton candy. 

State Rep. Eric Davanzo, R-South Huntingdon, Westmoreland County District Attorney John Peck, Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher, Monessen City Council members Tony Orzechowski and Lois Thomas, city police and firefighters were all there.    

John Nestor, who won the second Democratic nomination for a city council spot along with Orzechowski in the primary, was also at the event.

Christian Center Church brought all kinds of games for the kids. Mozer said there were so many games and activities he couldn’t keep track.

“It was a unity event, to bring people together,” Mozer said. “I gave a talk on the things I’ve seen in social justice in my lifetime in this world and that was a big part of it.”  

Cerilli-Thrasher, Peck, Nestor and Orzechowski all spoke about their visions for Monessen and Westmoreland County as well.

“It was a good time, a lot of people were there,” Mozer said, estimating there were probably around 100 people at the park, maybe more because there were so many children.

“The only reason we’re there is for those kids,” Mozer said. “We have to make a community they want to stay in when they get older because it’s just not happening right now.”

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