Staff Photo by Joel Turner:
Tom Perriello was welcomed to STEP, Inc. byﾠJonﾠMorris, executive director of the non-profit agency. |
Friday, December 12, 2008
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
Democrat Tom Perriello, who will become the Fifth District congressman if a vote recount next week confirms his 745-vote lead, came to Rocky Mount this week to meet with the staff of STEP Inc. and talk about the role of non-profit agencies in addressing the economic problems facing the country.
Perriello said that it will take non-profit agencies, churches, businesses and government working together to deal with the economic crisis.
Government can't solve all economic problems, Perriello said, but non-profit agencies such as STEP (Strategy To Eliminate Poverty) can help provide people with the opportunity to improve their skills and move from "minimum to living wages."
Agencies such as STEP help provide a "basic level of compassion and make sure that the least among us gets help," he said.
"In this economic crisis, we need everyone to do their part -- businesses, non-profits, churches and government," Perriello said.
Jon Morris, STEP's executive director, briefed Perriello on the agency's operations, adding that it has more than a dozen supportive, housing, education and Head Start programs.
But Morris said there are many unmet needs because of a lack of funds. There are no facilities for homeless families in Rocky Mount, he said, and the requests for services are increasing.
Perriello told Morris that STEP and similar non-profit agencies will play a key role in the nation's economic recovery.
In this economic crisis, Perriello said his focus is on infrastructure improvements, workforce development and small business programs to help the economy in small towns and rural counties,
He believes that President-elect Barack Obama is on the right track in proposing an economic stimulus package that includes funds for roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure projects.
Perriello, who lives in Albemarle County, said the focus needs to be shifted from federal bailouts to long-term economic policies that get people back to work.
"We need to work on infrastructure and workforce development and small businesses," he said. "This is the key to economic recovery."
Perriello said that any federal help for the auto industry and other sectors of the economy should be linked to accountability by the companies.
"People need to be held accountable," he said, if they are going to receive federal money.
Since the Nov. 4 election, Perriello has been on the road, traveling throughout the Fifth District, preparing for the transition to Congress if the vote recount upholds his win.
Perriello estimates that he traveled 70,000 miles in the 22 counties and cities in the district during the campaign. He said he and his staff campaigned 16 to 18 hours a day.
"We put in a double shift most days," he said, adding that he also had a strong network of supporters throughout the district.
He has also traveled thousands of miles since the election, meeting with elected officials, organizations and others.
This week alone, Perriello had nearly two dozen meetings with groups and organizations, stretching from Roanoke and Rocky Mount to Danville to Farmville, Appomattox, Halifax, South Boston, Martinsville, Palmyra, Collinsville and Charlottesville.
If the recount confirms his 745-vote lead, Perriello said he is "committed" to be in the Fifth District every week after he takes office.
Perriello said he is part of a new generation of political leaders who want to put problem-solving ahead of partisan politics.
He said Obama, U. S. Sen-elect Mark Warner and Sen. Jim Webb are part of that generation.
Perriello said he is more interested in solving problems than partisan politics.
Saying he was raised in a strong faith tradition and taught to help others, Perriello said he will work to put people's interests ahead of corporate interests.
The nation is in an economic crisis because of the failure of leadership and the lack of morality in politics, he said.
Perriello said he will work to bring more jobs to the Fifth District, make health care affordable, lower gasoline and energy prices, and bring American troops home from Iraq.
America needs leaders who will work for long-range solutions to problems, not quick fixes, Perriello said.
Because of the serious economic problems facing the country, Perriello said he believes that voters were looking for candidates this year who offered solutions, not partisan or ideological answers.
"We need to be bold with common sense" in dealing with the economic crisis, he said.
Perriello said non-profit agencies can help people deal with economic problems. |
