07/23/2023
I've heard the word Greed used lately when speaking about the development our Company, Triple B Construction, is in the process of planning on Pleasant Grove Rd. The term has been mentioned to us directly and indicated in the council meetings. I spoke with a "Keep Westmoreland County" leader and was told on the phone the main concern was not our development but the one on Creasy farms. Yet, in the meetings, the direct opposite is said, and very little mentioned about the much larger development on Creasy farms. The contradictory statements made are upsetting, and it's also upsetting to me that our company would be mentioned in the same sentence as the word greed, especially in our hometown. Do we work to make a living for our families? Yes, the same as everyone else does. All 3 of us graduated from Westmoreland High School, and you will not find another company that loves Westmoreland more than we do. This is shown in our constant support of all things Westmoreland. Here is a list of just a few areas where our company has shown our support.
Westmoreland Little League Parks Improvement
1.$10,000+Free Labor
2. Had Franklin Aluminum Roof the concession stand for free. (Thanks to them)
3. Field Maintenancel/Equipment - $1500
4. Team Sponsorships - $2000
5. Redoing pitching surface - $800 + Free Labor
6. Built Temporary Fence-$1300 + Free Labor
7. Countless donations made anonymously that I won't specify in order to remain anonymous to those who received those donations.
Youth Basketball
1. $1300
Middle School Basketball
1. $500
Middle School Softball
1. $800 +
WMS Football
Yearly Donation -$450+
WHS Baseball
1. Yearly Donation -$150
2. $3400 - Block Backstop
3. $1750 - New Fence Capping
4. $1500 - Plywood Install in Facility
5. $500 - Pulleys for Netting
WHS Softball
1. Yearly Donation -$375
2. Pressbox Flooring - $1700
3. Pressbox Windows - $750
4. Pressbox Trim, Trim Install, and Paint-$1800
5. Pressbox Exterior Doors- $500
6. $2500 for Scoreboard sign
WHS Basketball
1. $5000 scoreboard advertising
WHS Football
1. $2300 ($1500 per year average)
2. Free Labor to install new lighting
This list does not include FCA donations, WMS Robotics team, and countless acts of charity around the community. Many of you will say "well that's just a tax write off" which, like any company, is true, but we don't have to make these donations to Westmoreland specific entities. We choose to do that. 10% or less of our business revenue comes from Westmoreland. Yet 90% of our donations are made Westmoreland. My brother alone has done so much, for so many, for nothing more than the fact that we love the community and the people in it. The argument of greed has no relevancy regardless of whether you believe it to be so or not. Many of you contribute no tax dollars to the city, and some of you are not even patrons of city water. I do however believe in this statement that was made "Westmoreland people should come first". This is evident in the actions we as a company take in our community. Not just the words we speak . So I challenge whoever runs the "Keep Westmoreland Country" page and all those that agree with their views, or followers of the page. Let's use that passion for more than just a 3 minute speech or Facebook post. I'd like to see a post challenging people to make donations of either time, materials, or your hard earned money to an area of need in Westmoreland. The list above only outlines our contributions to youth sports in Westmoreland. There are many other ways to contribute to the city that we are all passionate about. Pick one, roll your sleeves up, and "put your money where your mouth is". Surely you as a collective group can impact our city more than our small family owned company. Besides, these donations/charity would be a tax write off for any of you as well, Right? If "Keep Westmoreland Country" will make the post I described, comment on what you will contribute or donate and let's see that happen. In the end, the development will either happen, or not. Your conduct throughout this process however, will live forever.
