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Low-Key Effort in Spring
Posted
9-3-1999
I've written previously that the campaign for county commissioner really
seemed low key during the summer. Perhaps the County Fair was the unofficial
start of the fall campaign. The Democratic Party had a booth that I worked
at six of the nine nights of the Fair. Tom Ceraso spent a number of days and
nights there also. The Republicans also had a booth that I saw candidate
Scott Conner at a number of different times. Candidate Maryln Davis had her
own booth separate from her party and I'm wondering if that doesn't send a
message that her and Mr. Conner might not be a united team. Wouldn't that be
a switch? After years of the Democrats not being united, maybe this election
we'll be the party that is more united in the commissioners' race.
I know that no election is
ever "normal," but I think a unified Democratic ticket helps not only the
chances of the commissioner candidates but also all of our candidates. A
unified ticket hasn't happened in years in Westmoreland County. So it will
be interesting to see the consequences on November 2nd. I know the
Republicans have to preach a party line of unity but I don't really see it
happening between their commissioner candidates. Deep down they must realize
that the race could come down to a battle between them for the third spot.
Anything can happen, but I know I'm going to work every bit as hard as I did
in the primary election. I also think Tom Ceraso knows what is at stake and
if he works hard, like he did in the primary, we are going to be fine.
It is going to be interesting
to see what issues emerge in the next two months and how the candidates try
to distinguish themselves. As I've said before, Republicans cannot claim
Democrats have been running this county because we all know the situation
we're in came from a Vidmer-Marolt coalition and future boards will be left
dealing with the consequences. The question taxpayers should ask is how much
more debt will that coalition generate before they leave office. Perhaps the
question the electorate should ask to commissioner candidates is do you
support the agenda of the outgoing coalition and how will you deal with the
challenges created by that agenda. It is going to take assertive, proactive,
disciplined leadership from the Commissioners to help solve the challenges
ahead. Hopefully, the electorate will select the candidates best prepared
and committed to running county government like a business. |
