FARRELL Governor leads walking tour to help launch Weed & amp; Seed

Those trying to clean up their neighborhoods will face challenges every day, the governor said.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Gov. Mark Schweiker came to town Wednesday to launch a state-funded neighborhood revitalization program along the Farrell-Sharon border, but the real work is just beginning, a local organizer said.
Now those involved in the Weed & amp; Seed program have to develop the grass-roots support of residents and businesses that will make it succeed, said Olive Brown, coordinator of the Minority Health Advocacy Committee of Sharon Regional Health System and one of the founders of ERASE (Endorsed Resistance of All Substance Abuse Everywhere).
It was Brown, officials in Farrell and Sharon say, who came up with a plan for the two cities to apply for a state Weed & amp; Seed grant to combat drug abuse and focus on neighborhood revitalization in a 60-block area.
"This is a rebirth for the community," Brown said after Schweiker's visit and walking tour of the targeted area.
He inspired people to get involved, and that's important, Brown said.
State funding: The state is putting up $220,000 over three years to help fund the effort, using part of the money to "weed" out crime and the rest to "seed" new development and revitalization efforts.
Mercer County District Attorney James Epstein announced during the walk that the Mercer County Housing Authority has committed an additional $30,000 to the program.
The street corners and the night belong to the law-abiding citizens and not to the law-breakers, Schweiker told a crowd of about 200 who followed him on the nine-block hike from Quinby Street in Sharon to Union Street in Farrell.
Rallying residents: The walk was led by two state police motorcycles and two troopers on horses and it wound its way through the streets slowly as Schweiker frequently stopped to talk to people along the route.
Groups of schoolchildren from Sharon and Farrell were part of the troop, frequently chanting, "What do we need? Weed and Seed!"
"You inspire me by your presence here today," the governor told the crowd, adding that the state can provide some help, but the real success of the cleanup effort will come down to personal commitment from those involved at the street level.
"When we ally, there is no stopping us," Schweiker said.
The question now is whether or not people can sustain the effort, he said.
"Do you want to grow the garden? Do you want to grow the network?" he asked, drawing a rousing response from the crowd.
The children of the area are owed a safe community, Schweiker said, calling forward Courtney Hampton, 11, of Sharon to share the podium with him.
Courtney was one of the first people he spoke to when he arrived at Quinby Street, he said, adding that she told him she wants to be a doctor.
The neighborhood has the responsibility to see that she has the chance to fulfill that dream, he said, telling the crowd, "This has to be personal to you."
When in doubt, think of Courtney's smile, he said, urging the people to "Remember the Courtney Principle."
Schweiker agreed that the toughest work lies ahead.
"You're going to be tested every day. Some of these people aren't going to give an inch," the governor warned, adding, "It's your spirit that will sustain this."
Law enforcement: Epstein said there is a combined law enforcement effort that includes officers from Sharon, Southwest Mercer County Regional Police (which covers Farrell), the state police and the Mercer County sheriff's office.
He has appointed a full-time prosecutor just to work with the Weed & amp; Seed program, he added.
"We will provide a safe environment and revitalization can begin," Epstein said.
Schweiker was a hit with the crowd, particularly during the walk as he stopped to greet people. At one point he climbed onto a Quinby Street porch to greet two women waving American flags and sat on the porch railing, talking with them for a few minutes.
At another stop, he climbed onto a porch to help a New Castle Avenue man hold up a large American flag.
Shirley McLean of Spearman Avenue was one of those struck by the governor's willingness to tour the area on foot.
"It's wonderful, wonderful. I'm just amazed. He knows the heart of the program," McLean said as she followed the entourage.
Largest: Schweiker said this was the largest Weed & amp; Seed kickoff he has seen. The state launched the program in 1996 and has eight already in operation in other communities, he said.
The local effort is roughly bounded by Prindle Street on the north, Dock Street and Darr Avenue on the west, Roemer Boulevard on the south and New Castle Avenue and Beechwood Avenue on the east.