releases: https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/tribune-democrat-rothfus-hosts-session-drugs-poverty-other-local-issues
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://rothfus.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/tribune-democrat-rothfus-hosts-session-drugs-poverty-other-local-issues | Tribune-Democrat: Rothfus hosts session on drugs, poverty, other local issues | 2016-10-26 | 2016 | 2016-10 | Republican | House | PA | Keith Rothfus | R000598 | rothfus.house.gov | legacy | Lack of educational opportunities, limited access to public transportation, drug addiction issues and day-to-day financial struggles all can negatively affect a person’s ability to achieve upward mobility. Many local organizations are trying to help address those issues. On Tuesday, representatives from some of them, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Johnstown branch and PA CareerLink, came together for a round table discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, at Greater Johnstown High School. The congressman received input from community leaders about ways groups are working together to improve the lives of citizens. “You look what our country was founded on – the principles on which our country was founded on – you’re supposed to be able to pursue your dreams here,” Rothfus said. “And yet we find many people unable to pursue their dreams for whatever circumstance. And you see people become marginalized and sidelined, and you see what a tremendous loss that is to our society.” Rothfus talked about the role society plays in the development of individuals. “The culture is the background of respect and dignity and worth,” he said. “There is a transcendent – or there should be a transcendent – element to culture because we all have to give an accounting for our time.” He discussed upward mobility in context of House Republicans’ Better Way agenda that has steps designed to address poverty, national security, bailouts, executive branch power, tax codes and the Affordable Care Act. The upward mobility plank deals with evaluating programs and seeing how they can be “refashioned or retooled to really address the issue of poverty in our country,” according to the 12th district’s representative. Participants provided information about a variety of subjects from Greater Johnstown School District’s dual enrollment program to Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley’s new Helms Academy for adult students, along with the spirit of cooperation between different organizations in the region. “The future looks bright,” said Michael Vuckovich, the school district’s director of education. “I really believe that. Everyone is pulling together.” Even with those positives, the specter of the area’s opioid epidemic haunted part of the conversation. Cambria County ranked third in two recent reports on overdose deaths per capita among Pennsylvania counties. Local law enforcement agencies find themselves battling violent crime – from robbery to murder – associated with drugs. About half of local job applicants cannot pass a drug or criminal background check, according to Johnstown Area Regional Industries. “You can build beautiful schools,” said Ronna Yablonski, executive director of the new Cambria County Drug Coalition. “You can build beautiful buildings. You can have the greatest hospital facilities. You can have the latest technology. You can have all these training opportunities. “But if they can’t pass a drug screening, it doesn’t matter.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |