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Kim Ward's College Proposal Falls Flat
July 29, 2008
In response to Commissioner Kim Ward's proposal
to re-invent the Board of Trustees at the Westmoreland County
Community College, Commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso today
issued the following statement:
"The only thing more predictable than a
simplistic proposal from Kim Ward is the Tribune-Review's rush
to give it credibility. She seems more interested in making
headlines than actually resolving the issue. Her proposal to
re-invent the Community College Board does nothing to protect
the public's investment in the college and ensure complete
transparency for taxpayers, and that has been our goal all
along.
"The faulty logic behind her proposal shows a
complete lack of understanding of the issue. It is not about the
people -- it is about the policies to keep the business of the
college open to the public. And that includes all business,
including the ratification by the board at a public meeting of
all employees being hired. That is the only way to truly
minimize influence by anyone, not by setting new artificial
criteria for who can serve.
"Further, her proposal is insulting to the fine
men and women who serve on the college board with no
compensation. These volunteers -- all of them -- bring a variety
of qualifications and expertise to the college, and it is a
shame that Kim Ward is unfairly targeting their credentials and
credibility.
"It is also important to note that during his
tenure, the college president has had his contract extended
twice and received two bonuses. He has also had every single one
of his chosen candidates hired. By focusing exclusively on the
board and not the president, Kim Ward is turning a blind eye to
the facts.
"Finally, Kim Ward's inconsistency is
remarkable. She wants to completely revamp the college board to
supposedly insulate it from alleged political influence, then
has her political allies in Hempfield openly lobby for a seat on
a regional transportation planning board. Her reputation as a
political opportunist is solidly in tact. And she should realize
that pitting municipalities against each other does nothing to
advance the county's transportation needs. She is supposed to
work for the good of the county, not for her friends in
Hempfield.
"We remain convinced that we will resolve the
issues at the community college, and its accreditation will not
be affected. But it will be resolved using sound judgment and
enacting sound policies to ensure transparency, not political
gamesmanship and grandstanding in a sorry attempt to merely make
headlines."
Read more
Kim Ward's Antics |
