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I Dedicate This Election
Posted
11-9-2007
I made it through a fourth countywide election,
and for all the support of so many kind and thoughtful people I
say thank you. The thank you isn't just from me, but from my
immediate family, and both mine and my wife's extended families
also. When you go through elections it is a difficult process
not only for candidates, but also their families. My daughters,
who have grown up with politics, know that I'm their dad, and
they don't care what people say about me. But for aunts and
uncles and in-laws, it hurts when people spread untruths about
me. They take it personally because both of our extended
families are honest, hard-working people.
But going through elections throughout this
county for 16 years now -- starting with my wife's election in
1991 -- you sure get to meet many wonderful people. There are
people who help for no reason other than they genuinely like
you. Sadly though over the years, many of them pass away, and it
makes one realize how time marches on. This election I dedicated
to two very special friends who are no longer with us, Terry
Jordan and Harry "Moose" Miller. Both were profound influences
on our family, and the success we've had in elections.
Terry Jordan, who passed away early in 2003 was
a political maverick who grew up in White Oak and cut his teeth
on Allegheny County politics. After opening his legal practice
in Irwin he became friends with my wife and I, and his guidance
and understanding of grassroots politics got two novices through
Debbie's election for judge. He continued to help me through my
first county election in 1995 and again in 1999. Terry was the
chairman of my campaign committee, and his passion for politics
taught me how hard a candidate must work to be successful. TJ,
I'll never forget you and will always be grateful to you; this
one was for you.
Harry "Moose" Miller was a charter member of the
NBA, and we had the good fortune of meeting him in 1991 too.
Harry worked for us then, but it was the years after that he and
I forged a great friendship. Moose was a tough guy who played
basketball when it wasn't glamorous or high paying. He coached
the same way and really let people know what he thought. Harry
had been involved in Unity Township politics, but knew people
everywhere. His support and organizing efforts helped me every
time. But he passed away earlier this year, and we really missed
his great work in this election. Big guy, this one was for you
too. We smacked them in the tomato one more time!
I'm truly humbled that a kid from Greensburg,
whose parents never got the chance to finish school because they
had to go to work during the Great Depression, could finish on
top of four county elections. For my parents, running for public
office was unimaginable because they were busy just scratching
out a living. But I know they (along with Terry Jordan and
Moose) have been looking down and helping me every step of the
way.
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