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Budget Challenge is for New Board
Posted 11-23-1999
The election is over and we will experience one of the biggest changes in
Westmoreland County government in many years. Two new commissioners,
Democrat Tom Ceraso and Republican Scott Conner will take office with me in
January.
It is the first time in many
years that two new commissioners will be seated. I believe it will begin a
new era for how county government is managed. You will see a more
progressive, proactive management team. The challenges that lie ahead are
significant but with cooperation and communication we can meet them with the
singular goal of doing what is best for the citizens of our county.
The next month or so with a
lame duck board of commissioners is also a very important time. I want to
include my two new colleagues in as many meetings as possible so that when
they take office they'll have more exposure to as much of the budget process
as possible.
It is very important because
we may have to open up the budget when the new board is seated. I'm not sure
how diligent my outgoing colleagues will be about passing a frugal budget.
With budget challenges looming in the future, the 2000 budget must be
fiscally restrained.
The transition process of new
elected officials will be interesting. In addition to county commissioners,
we also elected two new judges (Al Bell and Ton Marsili), a new sheriff
(Chris Scherer), a new recorder of deeds (Tom Murphy), as well as incumbent
controller Jeff Pavetti, register of wills Earl Keim and treasurer Kathalyn
O'Brien.
We will be sworn in the last
week of December and then begin our new terms January 3. The judges terms
are for 10 years and everyone else is a four year term. Also, the judges are
employees of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the rest of us are county
employees.
Each office has a lot of
responsibility but the one that can impact citizens the greatest is the
commissioners. We need my outgoing colleagues to end their careers in a true
spirit of cooperation. That isn't for the benefit of the new commissioners
or me but for you.
To take any actions that make
the fiscal problems ahead any worse hurts not just the new board but the
citizens of the county, particularly our children. The future presents many
challenges but the greatest for us in county government is to make
government a vehicle that improves our county and makes it an attractive
place for future generations to live. |
