Thank you to everyone that helped with this campaign. It was a hard fought battle and we prevailed. I endured all of the personal attacks about my character and came through on the other side a winner. There are too many people that helped to mention all of you but some deserve a special thanks. To my staff Carol and Lana, I couldn’t have done it without you. They put in 80 weeks or more and that was just after working for the county. To all the guys that put up the signs over and over again while my opponents gang of thugs tore them down, they finally had to start stealing them to keep them from going back up, your the best.
To my wife who had to endure the lies, biased press, take care of our kids, run our house, run her business, and listen to all of my campaign stories that she could have cared less about. I love you most of all. And lastly to my children how are now old enough to know that there father is involved in a business that can get very dirty when dealing with people who will say anything to get elected. Sorry you had to grow up somuch during this. I thank all of the people of the county that voted for me and look forward to four more years of moving Westmoreland County forward with my colleague Tom Balya.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
VOTE CERASO BALYA!!!!!!!!!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
VOTE CERASO BALYA!
Dunbar Blog Down !
George's Blog went down. He probably forgot to pay for it Like the things at Wright Industries. He probably wasn't in the loop with what is going on with his campaign he should call Kim.
Ward's Getting Desperate
Ward’s Getting Desperate
In a last, desperate attempt to spread her message to voters, Kim Ward decided to send out a mailer that not only looks all too familiar to its recipients, but also is a prime example of her inability to execute a plan and manage her finances.
Today’s recipients of Ward’s mailer discovered the exact same piece with the exact same design flaw that she sent out only a few weeks ago. I guess she decided to re-circulate the same mailer since she had nothing new to say to our county’s residents.
In addition to sending the same mailer to the same people, Ward waited until the Monday before the election to have her piece to hit mailboxes, which is a dangerous strategy that indicates her hopes of swaying a few more voters in the 11th hour.
Perhaps the biggest shocker of all was that the mailers utilized a 41-cent stamp instead of being handled as they traditionally are --- as bulk mail. Why would someone waste so much money?
Let’s try to put this into some perspective so that we call all understand. One of my mailers had a circulation of over 41,000. I have no idea how many of these re-circulated pieces Ward decided to send, but if you use the figure of 41,000 you can see how simple math can attest to Ward’s inability to “see the big picture” when it comes to finances. Every stamp that she applied to each mailer has a value of $0.41. If she had decided to send the mailers at a bulk rate of $0.19, then she would have saved $0.22 per mailer. Now, these figures truly become significant when you multiply the $0.22 per mailer that Ward wasted by the approximate number of 41,000 total mailers. The total is $9,020! That is an additional $9,020 that Ward could have easily saved if she had been more aware of how little costs can accumulate. Do you think that Ward can effectively manage our county’s finances when she cannot even appropriately manage her personal campaign funds? Clearly, something as simple as a piece of mail proves that she cannot.
In these last few hours before Election Day, I ask you to remember that a vote for Democrat Tom Ceraso will keep Westmoreland County moving in the right direction. I can only continue to serve the residents of this county with your support, and I look forward to seeing you at the polls tomorrow!
In a last, desperate attempt to spread her message to voters, Kim Ward decided to send out a mailer that not only looks all too familiar to its recipients, but also is a prime example of her inability to execute a plan and manage her finances.
Today’s recipients of Ward’s mailer discovered the exact same piece with the exact same design flaw that she sent out only a few weeks ago. I guess she decided to re-circulate the same mailer since she had nothing new to say to our county’s residents.
In addition to sending the same mailer to the same people, Ward waited until the Monday before the election to have her piece to hit mailboxes, which is a dangerous strategy that indicates her hopes of swaying a few more voters in the 11th hour.
Perhaps the biggest shocker of all was that the mailers utilized a 41-cent stamp instead of being handled as they traditionally are --- as bulk mail. Why would someone waste so much money?
Let’s try to put this into some perspective so that we call all understand. One of my mailers had a circulation of over 41,000. I have no idea how many of these re-circulated pieces Ward decided to send, but if you use the figure of 41,000 you can see how simple math can attest to Ward’s inability to “see the big picture” when it comes to finances. Every stamp that she applied to each mailer has a value of $0.41. If she had decided to send the mailers at a bulk rate of $0.19, then she would have saved $0.22 per mailer. Now, these figures truly become significant when you multiply the $0.22 per mailer that Ward wasted by the approximate number of 41,000 total mailers. The total is $9,020! That is an additional $9,020 that Ward could have easily saved if she had been more aware of how little costs can accumulate. Do you think that Ward can effectively manage our county’s finances when she cannot even appropriately manage her personal campaign funds? Clearly, something as simple as a piece of mail proves that she cannot.
In these last few hours before Election Day, I ask you to remember that a vote for Democrat Tom Ceraso will keep Westmoreland County moving in the right direction. I can only continue to serve the residents of this county with your support, and I look forward to seeing you at the polls tomorrow!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
VOTE TUESDAY - VOTE TUESDAY - VOTE TUESDAY
VOTE CERASO - VOTE BALYA - VOTE BALYA - VOTE CERASO - VOTE CERASO - VOTE BALYA - VOTE BALYA - VOTE CERASO
Saturday, November 3, 2007
NOT AGAIN!!! What is with the continued Campaign Violations???
Ward, Dunbar accused
.
of
of
campaign violation!
.
By The Tribune-ReviewSaturday,
November 3, 2007
.
Four Democratic Party operatives filed a lawsuit Friday in which they allege Republican county commissioner candidates Kim Ward and George Dunbar accepted an improper campaign donation from a local billboard company.
The Democrats said the GOP candidates violated election laws when they allowed Wagner Outdoor Advertising to erect the $2,200 campaign billboards. They want a Westmoreland County judge to audit Ward and Dunbar's campaign accounts and forward any findings to the district attorney.
Attorney Gary Falatovich, representing the Democrats, denied the lawsuit was politically motivated.
Ward and Dunbar issued a statement yesterday afternoon calling the contribution an "interpretive error." They said they will pay the tab for the billboard and amend their financial reports to reflect the expense.
This Lawsuit brings to mind a glaring problem with the Ward Dunbar team. First, Kim Ward's campaign finance report is the worst report that I have seen. She doesn't seem to think it is necessary to completely fill out all the fields for donors that have given her thousands of dollars. Many don't have the dates when the check were given. Every check I get has a date on it. How hard is it to go through the detail of making sure that every thing is filled in properly. My point is if Kim is so sloppy with this report when she is running for office how much is she going to pay attention to the finances of the county. She states that she and her running mate want to increase reimbursements to the county from state and federal sources if she sets the standard as low as she set it for her report she is going to cost countains millions in reimbursable dollars. We as commissioners fight every year to make sure that we get every dollar that we have coming. The basis for all arguments is detailed accurate financial reporting. Kim has failed at this. The story in the tribune review the other day should have pointed this out instead all it did was write copy for libelous mailers that have been put out by the republicans.
In the case of Mr.. Dunbar he States this was an "interpretive error" as a CPA he should be fully aware of what an error of any type can mean. Going back to the county. The basis for all arguments is detailed accurate financial reporting. When you go to the state and federal government any error costs money. This is very troubling because Mr. Dunbar had to see his face of the billboards. If he didn't know how they were paid for that's still his fault. As a CPA Mr. Dunbar should know better. Maybe this is why Wright Industries is in bankruptcy today. Was it an interpretive error that caused a federal tax lien to be place on the corporation? Was it an interpretive error that created a situation that workers couldn't get their prescription drugs paid for? Was it an interpretive error that cause moneys not to be paid into their pension fund? Was it an interpretive error that the unions didn't get its dues money remitted after it was already deducted from the employees paycheck? Mr. Dunbar loves to use terms to explain away his shortcomings when it comes to financial matters.
November 3, 2007
.
Four Democratic Party operatives filed a lawsuit Friday in which they allege Republican county commissioner candidates Kim Ward and George Dunbar accepted an improper campaign donation from a local billboard company.
The Democrats said the GOP candidates violated election laws when they allowed Wagner Outdoor Advertising to erect the $2,200 campaign billboards. They want a Westmoreland County judge to audit Ward and Dunbar's campaign accounts and forward any findings to the district attorney.
Attorney Gary Falatovich, representing the Democrats, denied the lawsuit was politically motivated.
Ward and Dunbar issued a statement yesterday afternoon calling the contribution an "interpretive error." They said they will pay the tab for the billboard and amend their financial reports to reflect the expense.
This Lawsuit brings to mind a glaring problem with the Ward Dunbar team. First, Kim Ward's campaign finance report is the worst report that I have seen. She doesn't seem to think it is necessary to completely fill out all the fields for donors that have given her thousands of dollars. Many don't have the dates when the check were given. Every check I get has a date on it. How hard is it to go through the detail of making sure that every thing is filled in properly. My point is if Kim is so sloppy with this report when she is running for office how much is she going to pay attention to the finances of the county. She states that she and her running mate want to increase reimbursements to the county from state and federal sources if she sets the standard as low as she set it for her report she is going to cost countains millions in reimbursable dollars. We as commissioners fight every year to make sure that we get every dollar that we have coming. The basis for all arguments is detailed accurate financial reporting. Kim has failed at this. The story in the tribune review the other day should have pointed this out instead all it did was write copy for libelous mailers that have been put out by the republicans.
In the case of Mr.. Dunbar he States this was an "interpretive error" as a CPA he should be fully aware of what an error of any type can mean. Going back to the county. The basis for all arguments is detailed accurate financial reporting. When you go to the state and federal government any error costs money. This is very troubling because Mr. Dunbar had to see his face of the billboards. If he didn't know how they were paid for that's still his fault. As a CPA Mr. Dunbar should know better. Maybe this is why Wright Industries is in bankruptcy today. Was it an interpretive error that caused a federal tax lien to be place on the corporation? Was it an interpretive error that created a situation that workers couldn't get their prescription drugs paid for? Was it an interpretive error that cause moneys not to be paid into their pension fund? Was it an interpretive error that the unions didn't get its dues money remitted after it was already deducted from the employees paycheck? Mr. Dunbar loves to use terms to explain away his shortcomings when it comes to financial matters.
.
VOTERS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY
VOTERS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY
.
KEEP OUR COUNTY GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
KEEP OUR COUNTY GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
.
- ON TUESDAY -
.
RE-ELECT
TOM BALYA & TOM CERASO.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Economic Revitalization continues through the foresight of County Commissioners Balya & Ceraso
Lamp Theater ro become anchor of Irwin revitalization
Thursday, November 01, 2007
By Norm Vargo.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Westmoreland Cultural Trust has refocused its involvement in the economic revitalization of downtown Irwin to revive the landmark Lamp Theater as an entertainment and tourist destination in the fast-growing western residential areas of the county. Read the whole story
Thursday, November 01, 2007
By Norm Vargo.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Westmoreland Cultural Trust has refocused its involvement in the economic revitalization of downtown Irwin to revive the landmark Lamp Theater as an entertainment and tourist destination in the fast-growing western residential areas of the county. Read the whole story
Monday, October 29, 2007
It is NO! big surprise that the Tribune Review continues to fail the voters of Westmoreland County!
It is NO! big surprise that the Tribune-Review continues to fail the voters of Westmoreland County!
It is NO! big surprise that the Tribune-Review endorsed my Republican opponents for Westmoreland County Commissioners…
When you have a person like the owner of the partisan newspaper spending $20 million a year to prop up his paper that continues to lose money, it is NO! big surprise that his editors would ignore the facts.
For instance, a fact like George Dunbar was the Chief Financial Officer for a company that went bankrupt, even though it was his responsibility to maintain the company’s financial stability. Should someone with a background like Dunbar’s be elected to make decisions about how the people’s taxes are to be spent?
Not to mention the hatchet job that the paper tries to do on our ability to raise the monies necessary to be able to run an efficient and clean campaign. It is NO! big surprise that neither the editors, nor their owner, have provided the candidates with equal treatment, like presenting the voters with the facts on how Ward and Dunbar obtained their money. The paper never published that almost half of the $118,000 fund raised by Ward and Dunbar in this current election has come from Dunbar, his dad and Ward's husband. Clearly, Ward and Dunbar lack a wide support base from the voters in Westmoreland County since they had to provide $52,000 to their own campaigns.
At the behest of Ward & Dunbar, the Trib published a big story on who received the absentee voter list before they did. It is NO! big surprise then that yesterday Ward posted a link to her endorsement on her website. Since Ward’s link was posted long before the paper’s website update (which occurs after midnight), she must have received that information before any Dems had access to it.
When you’re an elected official like Kim Ward, and you raise multiple fees (some of which were increased over 100%) that the people you represent must pay (HIDDEN TAX INCREASES), and then as an elected official, you provide yourself FREE HEALTH INSURANCE even though you don't work full-time and you run your own consulting business, it is NO! big surprise the partisan paper in this county fails to inform the voters of all the facts surrounding such a candidate for County Commissioner.
It is NO! big surprise that this same partisan paper failed to fully inform the voters of the public record about George Dunbar. How can a paper be so partisan that it fails to report the facts about a County Commissioner candidate who has a history of running a business into the ground by not paying for his employees’ healthcare, pension or union dues. How can this same partisan newspaper give its endorsement, which is supposed to denote credibility, to these flawed candidates for County Commissioner?
It is NO! big surprise that Westmoreland’s partisan newspaper even failed to provide voters with the facts that the current elected County Commissioners, Tom Ceraso and Tom Balya, have reduced the size of the workforce in the county, made the workers that receive health care pay a portion of it and have participated in the first bond issues in almost 20 years that were done competitively.
It is NO! big surprise that the partisan newspaper’s reporters continue to fail in doing their research. As a result, these reporters have failed to provide the voters with the fact that all county-purchased materials bought from a vendor that weren't bid were purchased under state contract. And these materials had already gone through a process to leverage the buying power of the entire commonwealth, not just the power of one county, thus saving the voters’ tax money.
It is NO! big surprise when these same reporters write a story that fails to present the facts, such as that the County Director of Information Technology recommended the purchasing of specific equipment that interfaces with the county computer system, thus saving taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in man-hours and additional equipment over the other brands that where brought in and tried.
It is NO! big surprise why people get disgusted with elected officials when such partisan reporting is designed to write as many negative stories as possible, even if it means not presenting all the facts or not doing reputable research. The partisan news media under the Trib banner in Westmoreland County doesn't want to fairly report anything. Rather, they want to push their social and partisan agenda, and do nothing more than sell their product.
Having been elected and re-elected by the voters of Westmoreland County, I know when I go out and meet people in this county they tell me that Tom Balya and I do a good job of running county Government. That endorsement by the voters in our county means more to me than what the partisan newspaper has to say. I am sure we have been endorsed by the man on the street and that's what will matter come November 6.
I ask that you vote for Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso on November 6, and we will keep Westmoreland County moving in the right direction.
It is NO! big surprise that the Tribune-Review endorsed my Republican opponents for Westmoreland County Commissioners…
When you have a person like the owner of the partisan newspaper spending $20 million a year to prop up his paper that continues to lose money, it is NO! big surprise that his editors would ignore the facts.
For instance, a fact like George Dunbar was the Chief Financial Officer for a company that went bankrupt, even though it was his responsibility to maintain the company’s financial stability. Should someone with a background like Dunbar’s be elected to make decisions about how the people’s taxes are to be spent?
Not to mention the hatchet job that the paper tries to do on our ability to raise the monies necessary to be able to run an efficient and clean campaign. It is NO! big surprise that neither the editors, nor their owner, have provided the candidates with equal treatment, like presenting the voters with the facts on how Ward and Dunbar obtained their money. The paper never published that almost half of the $118,000 fund raised by Ward and Dunbar in this current election has come from Dunbar, his dad and Ward's husband. Clearly, Ward and Dunbar lack a wide support base from the voters in Westmoreland County since they had to provide $52,000 to their own campaigns.
At the behest of Ward & Dunbar, the Trib published a big story on who received the absentee voter list before they did. It is NO! big surprise then that yesterday Ward posted a link to her endorsement on her website. Since Ward’s link was posted long before the paper’s website update (which occurs after midnight), she must have received that information before any Dems had access to it.
When you’re an elected official like Kim Ward, and you raise multiple fees (some of which were increased over 100%) that the people you represent must pay (HIDDEN TAX INCREASES), and then as an elected official, you provide yourself FREE HEALTH INSURANCE even though you don't work full-time and you run your own consulting business, it is NO! big surprise the partisan paper in this county fails to inform the voters of all the facts surrounding such a candidate for County Commissioner.
It is NO! big surprise that this same partisan paper failed to fully inform the voters of the public record about George Dunbar. How can a paper be so partisan that it fails to report the facts about a County Commissioner candidate who has a history of running a business into the ground by not paying for his employees’ healthcare, pension or union dues. How can this same partisan newspaper give its endorsement, which is supposed to denote credibility, to these flawed candidates for County Commissioner?
It is NO! big surprise that Westmoreland’s partisan newspaper even failed to provide voters with the facts that the current elected County Commissioners, Tom Ceraso and Tom Balya, have reduced the size of the workforce in the county, made the workers that receive health care pay a portion of it and have participated in the first bond issues in almost 20 years that were done competitively.
It is NO! big surprise that the partisan newspaper’s reporters continue to fail in doing their research. As a result, these reporters have failed to provide the voters with the fact that all county-purchased materials bought from a vendor that weren't bid were purchased under state contract. And these materials had already gone through a process to leverage the buying power of the entire commonwealth, not just the power of one county, thus saving the voters’ tax money.
It is NO! big surprise when these same reporters write a story that fails to present the facts, such as that the County Director of Information Technology recommended the purchasing of specific equipment that interfaces with the county computer system, thus saving taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in man-hours and additional equipment over the other brands that where brought in and tried.
It is NO! big surprise why people get disgusted with elected officials when such partisan reporting is designed to write as many negative stories as possible, even if it means not presenting all the facts or not doing reputable research. The partisan news media under the Trib banner in Westmoreland County doesn't want to fairly report anything. Rather, they want to push their social and partisan agenda, and do nothing more than sell their product.
Having been elected and re-elected by the voters of Westmoreland County, I know when I go out and meet people in this county they tell me that Tom Balya and I do a good job of running county Government. That endorsement by the voters in our county means more to me than what the partisan newspaper has to say. I am sure we have been endorsed by the man on the street and that's what will matter come November 6.
I ask that you vote for Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso on November 6, and we will keep Westmoreland County moving in the right direction.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
NEWS RELEASE
OCTOBER 22, 2007Kim Ward Enjoys Benefits At Retirees’ Expense
Kim Ward is continuing to fight court battles to deny retirees the healthcare benefits that she enjoys for free.
Recent published reports detail Ward's and her political allies' efforts to deny former Hempfield Township employees benefits. What Ward is not telling residents is that while she fights in court to abandon hard-working retirees, she is receiving free benefits from the Township. In fact, as a part-time Township Supervisor she enjoys healthcare benefits that are far better than what the average full-time private sector employee receives.
Every year since 2003, Ward has participated in the Township's benefit package -- at no cost to her. Township records reveal that she does so during the Supervisors' Reorganization meetings at the beginning of each year.
"While Kim Ward as a part-time supervisor enjoys the benefits that others must work for, she wastes tax dollars fighting a political vendetta to deny benefits to those who worked full-time," Commissioner Tom Ceraso said. "Kim must think she is entitled to this benefit for the little work she does for the Township. She should return what it costs the township for her lucrative benefits. Part-time politicians like her should not be entitled to full-time benefits."
"Mrs. Ward wants to take a hard line with retirees' benefits, but had no qualms about starting the unprecedented practice of forcing Hempfield taxpayers to pay for lucrative healthcare benefits for part-time supervisors," Commissioner Tom Balya said.
NEWS RELEASE
OCTOBER 25, 2007New Information Further Implicates George Dunbar In Wright Industries' Bankruptcy
Former Worker Details Company's Hardships
A recent filing in the bankruptcy proceedings of Wright Industries further implicates Republican county commissioner candidate George Dunbar in the company's collapse (U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, no. 07-21384). And now a former worker is explaining the hardships he and his coworkers endured. An October 16, 2007, motion in U.S. Bankruptcy Court by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors details the debts. In the filing it cites a net loss of $3.7 million that was realized in 2006 "because of improper accounting treatment in prior years."George Dunbar served as Chief Financial Officer of Wright Industries in the years shortly before its bankruptcy. The filings reveal sorry details about the state of the company in the run-up to its bankruptcy, including local, state and federal taxes, as well as unemployment taxes, that were not paid during Dunbar's watch as CFO. The bankruptcy also reveals that Wright Industries did not pay healthcare or pension contributions for its labor unions.As a candidate, George Dunbar has tried to duck any responsibility for the company's failure."I knew George Dunbar, and even talked with him one-on-one, while I was at Wright Industries," said Bert Guay, who worked at Wright Industries from 2000-2007 as a laborer and foreman, and also served as shop steward for the Laborers' Union Local 1058. "As a worker there we were working just as hard, nothing changed with us, then all of the sudden the money just dried up."We would go to cash our paychecks and they would bounce, and sometimes we would show up at work and not get paid at all. And because they weren't paying our benefits, we would be denied when we went to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy."Now George Dunbar wants to be a county commissioner? He sure didn't do his job for us at Wright Industries," Guay said."It’s time for George Dunbar to finally come clean about his role in Wright Industries' bankruptcy," Commissioner Tom Balya said. "We cannot allow him to continue to deceive voters the way he deceived the families he abandoned at Wright Industries.""As more details continue to emerge from this case, it is becoming more and more obvious that George Dunbar's campaign is as bankrupt as Wright Industries," Commissioner Tom Ceraso said
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
There they go again – Ward & Dunbar are AGAIN proposing how NOT to perform the responsibilities of an elected Official!
GOP commissioner hopefuls push for public's say on taxes
By Richard Robbins
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The two Republicans running for Westmoreland County commissioner want to give taxpayers a say in raising property taxes, although they are not sure a referendum is legal under state law or the state Constitution.
Kim Ward and George Dunbar proposed Friday a nonbinding tax referendum as a preliminary step. They pledged if elected to work toward passing a state law that would make such referendums binding.
Their Democratic opponents labeled the proposal a political stunt and grandstanding in the lead up to the Nov. 6 general election.
Incumbents Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso said asking taxpayers to decide the level of taxation in the county would amount to a "cop out" by officials elected to make tough choices.
In Westmoreland County and in Pennsylvania the voters do decide the level of taxation through their votes on tax issues at the ballot box. As the elected community leaders, the County Commissioners are responsible for assessing all the information available and making decisions that keep the communities safe. The Commissioners also provide the county citizens with the essential services they have come to expect from their elected leaders and the commissioners continue to make those crucial decisions needed to attract new companies and assist current companies to enlarge and grow and thus create more jobs for the citizens of the county. That is why the voters elect their
Barry Kauffman, of Pennsylvania Common Cause, said, "I'm not sure that's something anyone has the authority to do."
Kauffman said "as a general rule" referendums are not a good idea because they bypass elected officials who should be held accountable.
At the same time, Kauffman said the type of referendum Ward and Dunbar have in mind should not be automatic any time a tax increase is on the table. He said referendums should start with voters and work their way up. Kauffman noted there is a state Senate bill that would make state referendums possible, starting with voter petitions.
Ceraso said Dunbar and Ward were engaged in "an election-year stunt."
Balya likened the idea to "putting your finger to the wind."
"No one makes a decision to increase taxes lightly. You do it only when it's absolutely essential.
The county budget is passed in November and is on display for approximately one month before a final vote is taken. It is published on the internet and is available at the courthouse. Citizens have plenty of time to review this document and make comments on it if they choose. To this date neither Ward not Dunbar has ever testified on any county budget, neither for nor against any aspect of those county budgets.
If Ward and Dunbar really intend to fulfill their responsibilities they need to stop looking for alternatives to avoid their elected responsibilities.
By Richard Robbins
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The two Republicans running for Westmoreland County commissioner want to give taxpayers a say in raising property taxes, although they are not sure a referendum is legal under state law or the state Constitution.
Kim Ward and George Dunbar proposed Friday a nonbinding tax referendum as a preliminary step. They pledged if elected to work toward passing a state law that would make such referendums binding.
Their Democratic opponents labeled the proposal a political stunt and grandstanding in the lead up to the Nov. 6 general election.
Incumbents Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso said asking taxpayers to decide the level of taxation in the county would amount to a "cop out" by officials elected to make tough choices.
In Westmoreland County and in Pennsylvania the voters do decide the level of taxation through their votes on tax issues at the ballot box. As the elected community leaders, the County Commissioners are responsible for assessing all the information available and making decisions that keep the communities safe. The Commissioners also provide the county citizens with the essential services they have come to expect from their elected leaders and the commissioners continue to make those crucial decisions needed to attract new companies and assist current companies to enlarge and grow and thus create more jobs for the citizens of the county. That is why the voters elect their
Barry Kauffman, of Pennsylvania Common Cause, said, "I'm not sure that's something anyone has the authority to do."
Kauffman said "as a general rule" referendums are not a good idea because they bypass elected officials who should be held accountable.
At the same time, Kauffman said the type of referendum Ward and Dunbar have in mind should not be automatic any time a tax increase is on the table. He said referendums should start with voters and work their way up. Kauffman noted there is a state Senate bill that would make state referendums possible, starting with voter petitions.
Ceraso said Dunbar and Ward were engaged in "an election-year stunt."
Balya likened the idea to "putting your finger to the wind."
"No one makes a decision to increase taxes lightly. You do it only when it's absolutely essential.
The county budget is passed in November and is on display for approximately one month before a final vote is taken. It is published on the internet and is available at the courthouse. Citizens have plenty of time to review this document and make comments on it if they choose. To this date neither Ward not Dunbar has ever testified on any county budget, neither for nor against any aspect of those county budgets.
If Ward and Dunbar really intend to fulfill their responsibilities they need to stop looking for alternatives to avoid their elected responsibilities.
Monday, September 24, 2007
A CALL FOR "BALANCED COVERAGE" IN THE TRIB REPORTING PRACTICES
Where's the balance?
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Voters deserve better from the Trib than "Whispers" items when it comes to this year's county commissioners election ("Whispers," Sept. 16 and PghTrib.com). They deserve details of the candidates' positions and records and they most certainly deserve balanced coverage.
Sunday's "Whispers" unfairly characterized our campaign efforts as "name-calling." In sharing information with the Trib about our challengers, Kim Ward and George Dunbar, we questioned their knowledge of county government and their qualifications.
We were responding to the claims of Dunbar, who held a press conference in which he was flat wrong about the state of the county's finances. The other challenger, Ward, missed the opportunity to do the right thing and correct him, and actually supported his misstatements.
Our challengers issue releases full of false information and get full coverage from the Trib. We point out the truth, justifiably point out their records, and are relegated to the back pages. Voters deserve balanced coverage.
.
Tom Balya, Westmoreland County commissioner
.
Tom Ceraso, Westmoreland County commissioner
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Voters deserve better from the Trib than "Whispers" items when it comes to this year's county commissioners election ("Whispers," Sept. 16 and PghTrib.com). They deserve details of the candidates' positions and records and they most certainly deserve balanced coverage.
Sunday's "Whispers" unfairly characterized our campaign efforts as "name-calling." In sharing information with the Trib about our challengers, Kim Ward and George Dunbar, we questioned their knowledge of county government and their qualifications.
We were responding to the claims of Dunbar, who held a press conference in which he was flat wrong about the state of the county's finances. The other challenger, Ward, missed the opportunity to do the right thing and correct him, and actually supported his misstatements.
Our challengers issue releases full of false information and get full coverage from the Trib. We point out the truth, justifiably point out their records, and are relegated to the back pages. Voters deserve balanced coverage.
.
Tom Balya, Westmoreland County commissioner
.
Tom Ceraso, Westmoreland County commissioner
This is the text of the entire letter sent to the Trib. The trib edits thier letters to the editor.
This is the text of the entire letter. The trib edits thier letters to the editor. Voters deserve better from the Tribune-Review than "Whispers" items when it comes to this year's election for County Commissioner. They deserve details of the candidates' positions and records, and they most certainly deserve balanced coverage.
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Sunday's "Whispers" unfairly characterized our campaign efforts as "name-calling". In sharing information with the Trib about our challengers, we questioned their knowledge of county government and their qualifications. We were responding to the claims of one challenger who held a press conference in which he was flat wrong about the state of the county's finances. Given his only previous business experience was CFO of a company that is now bankrupt; his views on all matters financial should be viewed with skepticism.
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The other challenger missed the opportunity to do the right thing and correct him, and actually supported his misstatements. Her lack of knowledge about the county, however, is not surprising given that she views the serious business of commissioners as only a part-time job.
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Our challengers issue releases full of false information and get full coverage from the Trib. We point out the truth, justifiably point out their records, and are relegated to the back pages. Voters deserve balanced coverage.
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Sincerely,
Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso
Westmoreland County Commissioners
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Sunday's "Whispers" unfairly characterized our campaign efforts as "name-calling". In sharing information with the Trib about our challengers, we questioned their knowledge of county government and their qualifications. We were responding to the claims of one challenger who held a press conference in which he was flat wrong about the state of the county's finances. Given his only previous business experience was CFO of a company that is now bankrupt; his views on all matters financial should be viewed with skepticism.
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The other challenger missed the opportunity to do the right thing and correct him, and actually supported his misstatements. Her lack of knowledge about the county, however, is not surprising given that she views the serious business of commissioners as only a part-time job.
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Our challengers issue releases full of false information and get full coverage from the Trib. We point out the truth, justifiably point out their records, and are relegated to the back pages. Voters deserve balanced coverage.
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Sincerely,
Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso
Westmoreland County Commissioners
Saturday, September 22, 2007
WESTMORELAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE HONORED RECIPIENTS OF THE 2007 ARTHUR ST. CLAIR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD
The Westmoreland County commissioners are among the recipients of the 2007 Arthur St. Clair Historic Preservation Awards from the Westmoreland County Historical Society. …
… The awards will be presented at the eighth annual Arthur St. Clair Dinner at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at Greensburg Country Club in Hempfield. They are given annually to individuals, public or private organizations and businesses or educational institutions that make a significant and sustainable contribution to the preservation of historic places, documents, records or stories. …
… The Westmoreland County commissioners -- Tom Balya, Tom Ceraso and Phil Light -- are being recognized for the leadership to enhance Historic Hanna's Town. When the historical society embarked on plans to construct the History Education Center at Hanna's Town, commissioners provided the seed money for the concept and were the first to commit a significant amount to the capital campaign….
… The public is invited to attend the dinner and the program, but reservations are required. Interested parties should contact the historical society office at 41 West Otterman St., Suite 310 in Greensburg or call 724-836-1800. Tickets are $75 with proceeds benefiting historical society programs. … (Click here to read the full story)
Westmoreland County honored as the Outstanding Advocate for Good Government
Westmoreland County Recognized
by Local Government Academy
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Left to Right: Rob Jones, Steve Bland, Tom Ceraso, Susan Hockenberry
Pittsburgh, PA ---- Westmoreland County was honored as the Outstanding Advocate for Good Government at the Local Government Academy 2007 Recognition Luncheon on Thursday August 16, 2007 at the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania. This annual event recognizes the Local Government Academy’s donors, volunteers, instructors and the achievements of its current group of Municipal Interns.
The Outstanding Advocate for Good Government is an annual award that pays tribute to those whose exceptional leadership has contributed to excellence in local government. Commissioner Tom Ceraso accepted the award on behalf of the County. Susan Hockenberry, Executive Director of the Local Government Academy thanked Westmoreland for their continued support, “Westmoreland County officials and staff are capable and trustworthy stewards of LGA’s mission and values”.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
"BEHAVIOR SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS"
Dunbar’s plan
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– ALL TALK and NO ACTION–
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Last week's quotes:
"What we owe the township is a decision," said Commissioner George Dunbar who termed the issue polarizing. "We can no longer sit here and do nothing." Then they sat there and did nothing. More rhetoric from a do nothing guy!
"What we owe the township is a decision," said Commissioner George Dunbar who termed the issue polarizing. "We can no longer sit here and do nothing." Then they sat there and did nothing. More rhetoric from a do nothing guy!
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This week's quote:
"We did not endorse E-Z Pass, we endorsed conversation," Commissioner George Dunbar said. "There is no done deal. We have no idea of what (the state agencies') stance is going to be. We need to explore what the options are." ... "Essentially what we want to do is start with a blank page," Dunbar said after the meeting. Then he told the press they did more nothing. More rhetoric from a do nothing guy!
"We did not endorse E-Z Pass, we endorsed conversation," Commissioner George Dunbar said. "There is no done deal. We have no idea of what (the state agencies') stance is going to be. We need to explore what the options are." ... "Essentially what we want to do is start with a blank page," Dunbar said after the meeting. Then he told the press they did more nothing. More rhetoric from a do nothing guy!
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ELECTING GEORGE DUNBAR WILL BRING ALL TALK AND NO ACTION TO WESTMORELAND COUNTY GOVENMENT?
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GEORGE - LEADERSHIP REQUIRES MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS - NOT DUCKING TIME AFTER TIME, MEETING AFTER MEETING!
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Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Monday, August 6, 2007
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