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Fresh Perspectives Brought to Government
Posted
12-17-1999
This article will be the final one on my web site for the 1999-election
cycle. What a year it was politically. I doubt that anyone would have
predicted the Commissioners' race would have ended like it did.
Prognosticators probably would have predicted me being re-elected, although
I'm sure there were people inside the Courthouse and in the Vidmer-Marolt
coalition that thought (and hoped) I would lose.
I am greatly appreciative of
all the folks out there who made my re-election possible. Like four years
ago, I had an active group of family members, political insiders and
outsiders, and this time, support from many people who have followed my
performance as County Commissioner. I know very well the nuts and bolts of
getting the campaign work done require great commitment from a lot of
people. I believe the candidate must set the standard with a tireless work
ethic, but it was harder this time because I had the job of County
Commissioner. The job took up so much time compared to four years ago when I
could go around the clock on the campaign.
The 1999 campaign was a lot
of fun. I continue to learn about elections, politics, and most of all
people. The dynamic of the campaign process is really a social process,
mixed in with an advertising campaign. Obviously, with a changing
demographic mix and a weakening of the party structure, advertising is
playing a bigger role. That phenomenon is driving up the cost of elections.
It is making the chances for candidates with little money more marginal.
Although they still can play a role in the outcome, particularly in
primaries.
I'm not sure anyone would
have predicted in January that Tom Ceraso and Scott Conner would be the
other winners. I did think things worked out perfectly for Tom. He was the
only candidate from the northern end of the county. Voters there are
fiercely loyal as demonstrated not only by Tom's vote, but the fact that
candidates in other races did very well also. The sheer number of candidates
from the center of the county carved up the vote enough to open that door
for Tom. Once he got through the primary, it was clear sailing in the
general election. Our message of unity helped create a big margin between
the Republicans and us. That experience held true not only for Tom and I but
also for other Democrats on the ballot.
I also doubt anyone last
January would have predicted Scott Conner would have been elected County
Commissioner. Scott was a relative newcomer to the region and certainly to
politics. But I think he presented a very refreshing alternative to the
political establishment. It appears Scott's message of changing the
'business-as-usual' politics of the outgoing majority appealed to enough
voters. On the surface Maryln Davis should have been a lock to win. She was
the only woman on the ballot, the first name on the ballot, and the Davis
name is one that is established in county politics.
From the election results, it
seems voters want to continue to support new people, not tied to the old
political establishment. My election four years ago was the first break in
the status quo. The election of Tom Ceraso and Scott Conner moves the
process even further along. The days of the Vidmer-Marolt coalition are
ending and believe me, I might be the happiest person in Westmoreland
County. Not that we don't have big challenges ahead, but I am just happy
that I'll serve with people that will work hard, and are committed to doing
what is right. One more public meeting and I'll be done with this crew that
tries to make people think what they are doing is good public policy when
for so long, it has been nothing more than a transparent effort to take care
of an exclusive group of their political buddies.
I will from time to time use
this section of my web site to talk about politics in the Courthouse. But
beginning in January, I want to start identifying some of the races taking
place in the year 2000. |
