Letter to the editor: Let's build up Jeannette, not tear it down

I was appalled by the letter from Robert A. McLaughlin (“Lack of urgency for change in Jeannette,” Nov. 17, TribLIVE) criticizing our current Jeannette council. He has never attended a council meeting in the four years I have been mayor, that I am aware of.

We have been working tirelessly making decisions that are definitely making Jeannette a better place to live. Please ask Sen. Kim Ward, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., our county commissioners and Jason Rigoni, executive director of Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp., who have helped us tremendously.

We definitely have one of the best solicitors not only in the county, but, I believe, in the state, who specializes in municipal government.

We have been on top of the American Rescue Plan funds since the plan was enacted.

People like McLaughlin are part of the problem, giving our beautiful and wonderful city a black eye. Does he volunteer to make Jeannette a better place? Or is he just going to be one of the people who sit back and criticize our town?

I can assure you that our council is working hard making our city a better place. We basically are all volunteers; we get a very small stipend for our duties.

We don’t need negative comments all the time; we need positive ones. Next time use your energy to build our city up, not tear it down.

Jeannette is truly a wonderful place to live!

Curtis J. Antoniak

Jeannette

The writer is mayor of Jeannette.