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Matthew “Matt” Shorraw, a 25-year-old 6th generation Monessenite, is announcing that he will seek the Democratic nomination for mayor in the upcoming primary election.

Matt has been involved in community organization and volunteerism since his time as a student at Monessen High School, and his volunteerism extends throughout various local and regional organizations. He has been interested in the history and affairs of the City of Monessen since his early childhood, having learned much about the town’s history from his late Grandmother, Irene (Sivak) Shorraw, his friends at the Greater Monessen Historical Society, and from independent research.

Matt is a 2009 graduate of Monessen High School, obtained his Bachelor of Science in Commercial Music Technology in 2015, and is currently finishing his Master of Education in Technology and STEM Education, both from California University of Pennsylvania. Shorraw is the Assistant Band Director at Monessen High School.

Matt is involved and/or a member of various civic organizations including the Monessen Amphitheater Committee, Monessen Communities That Care, Monessen Lions Club, Monessen Community Development Corporation, Greater Monessen Historical Society, Young Professionals of the Mon Valley, Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce, Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, Preservation Pittsburgh, Preservation Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, New Leaders Council, Pittsburgh – 2017 Fellow, Congress for New Urbanism, and Young Democrats of Westmoreland County.

Shorraw was recently honored with one of the Mon Valley Initiative Community Partner of the Year (2016) awards, which included proclamations from the Pennsylvania House and Senate, for his continued volunteer work within the City of Monessen. He also received the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh’s: Pittsburgh Young Preservationist of the Year (2016) award, for his work on the 500 Donner Project, and his advocacy for architectural preservation, history, and re-urbanism/reuse. He has also received the Doing the Most Good Award (2013), from the Monessen Salvation Army.

Shorraw believes that Monessen has great potential for growth due to the continued opportunities within the Pittsburgh Region. He believes that the city must market its strengths and candidly assess areas of improvement in order to attract residents who are willing to invest in the city.

Some of Shorraw’s goals for the City of Monessen include: repairing streets, maintaining the city’s existing public assets, and targeting economically challenged parts of the community by addressing blight with property remediation. He would also seek to strengthen the city’s workforce through efficiency improvements; attract more small businesses, office startups and light manufacturing in order to boost the downtown district; and work to improve Monessen’s morale and image. Matt will also explore collaboration with the Monessen School District to better connect the youth – especially at-risk youth - to positive activities within the city and improvements to their community, and will work to help Monessen’s Senior Citizen population, by striving to provide increased opportunities.

Matt is not running for mayor of the City of Monessen because of a building (500 Donner). To be clear, the 500 Donner Project is a personal project, and is not a campaign platform. The project is important to Matt, but it is in no way associated with his mayoral campaign. What is important is seeing our city collectively embrace the 21st century, and move forward for our citizens, our youth, and our future.

Matt is proud to live in Monessen and be a part of this wonderful community. Like many other Monessen residents, he is ready to help spark positive progress in Monessen. As the late Mayor Hugo Parente once said, “This is only the beginning of the story of Monessen, where there are many things yet to be accomplished.”

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