Published: January 24, 2008 04:35 pm      

Keeping the promise! Mercer, Monroe tops for youth once again

We applaud the decision of America’s Promise Alliance to select again Mercer and Monroe counties as two of America’s 100 Best Communities for Young People.

Thursday’s announcement marks the third consecutive year that Mercer County has been selected for the unique honor by America’s Promise Alliance in partnership with Capital One, and the second consecutive year that Monroe County has received the award.

We welcome the distinguished honor, and we commend every individual, organization and coalition that played a role in helping officials in Mercer and Monroe counties fulfill the five promises of America’s Promise — caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education and opportunities to help others.

America’s Promise was founded by retired General Colin Powell and organized during the President’s Summit for America’s future in 1997 when Presidents Bush, Carter, Clinton, Ford and First Lady Nancy Reagan challenged the country to make children and youth a national priority.

President George W. Bush affirmed his commitment to America’s Promise in 2001, and in May 2005, Powell and his wife Alma formed an alliance that was to honor and recognize outstanding communities across the nation — both large and small — as the best places for young people to live and grow up. More than 300 communities in all 50 states applied for the 2008 honor.

This year’s winners were selected by a panel of national civic, business and non-profit leaders, including Gayle Manchin, first lady of West Virginia; United Way President Brian Gallagher; Wellington Webb, former Denver mayor and president of Webb Group International; James Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Child Welfare League of America, and various other officials.

To be recognized by America’s Promise for three consecutive years is a true testament to not only the active agencies, groups and coalitions working to provide safe places, effective education, caring adults and a healthy start to area youth, but also to those individuals across the community who are striving to make Mercer County a better place for children to grow up, prosper and achieve their greatest potential.

We are also thrilled to see Monroe County recognized for this prestigious honor for a second consecutive year. We believe this honor is a true testament to the potential of southern West Virginia — and Mercer and Monroe counties in particular — when it comes to protecting our youth.

While we celebrate this unique honor, we can’t rest on our laurels, or pause when it comes to striving to make Mercer and Monroe counties — and all of southern West Virginia — a better place for children to live and prosper. We know our region isn’t perfect, but we must continually strive to make it a better place for our children.

We once again congratulate Mercer and Monroe counties for their selection as two of America’s 100 Best Communities for Young People, and, in particular, Greg Puckett, executive director of Community Connections.