2 groups oppose consolidation

HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Organized opposition to the proposed consolidation of five Shenango Valley municipalities is beginning to surface.
A group calling itself Hermitage Citizens Against Consolidation will have a public meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 to put together plans to distribute a brochure outlining its position on the issue.
The group will confine its activities to Hermitage although the proposed consolidation also affects Sharon, Farrell, Sharpsville and Wheatland.
Businessman Bob Miller is chairman; T.J. Rollinson is vice chairman; Linda Rocco is secretary; and Judy Lubarski is treasurer.
Another group calling itself Citizens For the Valley circulated petitions to get a vote on the five municipal consolidation on the Nov. 2 election ballot.
That group says there are advantages to the municipalities into one new city, but Miller said his group hasn't seen any plan for how the consolidation will work.
Proponents of the consolidation are basically asking people to vote for something they know nothing about, Miller said.
His group is looking to be sure that the issue is being discussed truthfully and it also intends to promote what Miller called the "Hermitage way of life."
He said the group is encouraging people to get educated about the subject and to vote no.