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NEWS RELEASE JANUARY 31, 2007
Tom Balya Announces Reelection Run for
Westmoreland County Commissioner
Three-Term Commissioner Delivers Leadership, Accountability
and Results
Gathered with family, friends and supporters,
Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Balya today announced he
will seek a fourth term as commissioner in the 2007 Municipal
Election.
"It is an honor and a privilege to serve the
residents of Westmoreland County," Commissioner Balya said. "I
have always taken seriously my pledge to put the interests of
our residents above all else, and I reiterate that commitment
today as I humbly ask the good people of this county for their
continued trust and support."
In announcing his candidacy, Commissioner Balya
focused on the results of his service as commissioner and
highlighted plans for the future of Westmoreland County.
"I am proud of the changes that have taken place
on my watch," Balya said. "Today I am a better commissioner, and
a better person, than when I began my service. I am not only
more experienced in managing county government, but also better
at understanding that change is not often sweeping, but
incremental. This approach has enabled us to move county
government in a positive direction, and our accomplishments are
something we can all be proud of."
Because of Commissioner Balya's leadership,
Westmoreland County is on firm financial footing -- even though
the county generates less than one-fourth of its overall budget
through property taxes. The county maintains an excellent A+
bond rating, which decreases debt payments. The county now
retains a financial adviser and in 2003 entertained competitive
bids to finance important capital projects, resulting in the
best value of tax dollars. Westmoreland County has a fully
funded pension fund of more than $300 million, and unlike when
Commissioner Balya took office, it is managed professionally
with a consultant and a variety of managers, rather than one
firm managing all of the assets.
"To protect the county's bottom line we've
introduced changes to how we purchase practically everything --
from natural gas to telecommunications and automobiles. And
we've made use of the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act to make
long-term capital investments that reduce energy consumption."
Further helping the county's finances was
Commissioner Balya's insistence that all county employees begin
paying toward their healthcare benefits -- a first in
Westmoreland County government.
Understanding the balance between fiscal
prudence and the quality services Westmoreland County residents
deserve, Commissioner Balya detailed the progress county
programs have made under his leadership.
"We've implemented technology not only to
improve productivity, but to enhance the public's ease of access
to information, whether it be through our enhanced web site and
e-services capabilities or our new 24/7 Information and Referral
Helpline," Balya said.
"We've further developed our beautiful county
park system that also now benefits from greater public
involvement through the Citizens' Advisory Board. And we are
striving to further enhance the parks through concepts like the
Skate Park at Twin Lakes and the further development of Historic
Hanna's Town -- the site of the first county seat west of the
Alleghenies -- into a viable tourist destination.
"We successfully operate the 400-bed
Westmoreland Manor that is among the top public nursing home
facilities in Pennsylvania. And we've done so without one county
tax dollar being spent.
"By extending the sponsorship agreement with
Westmoreland County Community College we have helped fuel the
growth and success of this fine educational institution that is
striving to meet the changing educational needs of our
communities," Balya said. "It has become a regional asset as it
serves students in Indiana and Greene counties as well.
"We've invested significantly in public safety
to ensure the best possible technology is used for radio
communications. We've also invested in the Emergency Services
Training Center to ensure our first responders have a modern
facility to train."
Westmoreland County has experienced significant
transportation improvements over the past several years, due in
no small part to Commissioner Balya's leadership on the
Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission -- the regional entity that
oversees federal transportation dollars. Commissioner Balya
served as SPC Chairman for two years and remains on the
Executive Committee.
"Westmoreland County has received more highway
dollars in the past few years than ever before ($273 million
from 2004 through 2007)," Balya said. "But just as important as
the money being appropriated is the fact that projects are being
completed. I've worked hard on this issue not only to ease
passenger traffic, but because of the linkage between
transportation and economic development."
On economic development, Commissioner Balya
pointed to the county's positive economy.
"Throughout my tenure as chairman of the
county's Industrial Development Corporation we've seen more
people employed in our industrial park system, and we've worked
to expand the parks, which now feature a full menu of
redeveloped brownfield sites in our core communities and new
large sites that are prime for business development," Balya
said.
"We've partnered with and supported private
investors and municipal governments to grow the county's
economy, and I am proud to report that there are more people
working in our county than ever before (177,200 as of November
2006).
"One area that has not grown during this time of
record employment is county government employment. We have fewer
employees today then when I took office."
Commissioner Balya will not, however, rest on
the county's successes.
"I am eager to overcome the future challenges
county government must confront," Balya said. "Successfully
managing the county's budget is an ongoing process that requires
constant diligence. The challenges are compounded by the fact we
do not control our mission, which is essentially set by the
commonwealth. The demand for stricter laws has seen a growth in
the criminal justice system that while unavoidable must be dealt
with in the most fiscally conservative manner possible.
"While we've implemented technology to meet many
challenges, the work is not done. We need to fully develop the
county's Geographic Information System (GIS) to ensure it truly
serves the needs of planning and development, tax mapping and
public safety.
"While I am proud of the job we do in serving
the county's most vulnerable citizens, we will continue to
strive to serve more efficiently and to ensure no one falls
through the cracks.
"Also, we will improve the coverage of the
county's emergency radio system in our topographically diverse
county to best serve our first responders.
"And though more people are employed in our
county than ever before, we will continue to work through our
IDC to facilitate private investment that creates jobs now and
in the future," Balya said.
In conclusion, Commissioner Balya reiterated his
commitment to accountability.
"I pledge to continue to demonstrate my
commitment to public service by never accepting a
taxpayer-financed car or mileage reimbursement, never accepting
a taxpayer-financed cell phone, and continuing to donate to
charity the pay raise of 1996 that I opposed.
"I pledge to work hard each day and to be
open-minded enough to seek answers when I don't have them and to
keep my office open to all residents' concerns.
"I am confident we have a county government that
has responded favorably to many challenges and has served our
residents well. I will continue to work to make sure county
government meets its mandated obligations and that it serves as
a vehicle to improve the quality of life for its citizens, now
and into the future."
Commissioner Balya was first elected in 1995 and
has served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners since 1999.
The 2007 Primary Election will be held May 15.
For more information, visit
www.tombalya.org. |
