NEWS RELEASE

OCTOBER 22, 2007
Kim 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.