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.