Issues of Westmoreland County/ Southwestern PA

Main Points

Opioid Epidemic - 825 Lives Lost in 10 Years

Over the past ten years, Westmoreland County has lost 825 lives to overdoses, according to the December 29, 2017 articles in the TribLive.Com.  As a County Commissioner, I want to work with our judges, agencies, and volunteer organizations to confront this very serious epidemic.   I personally know families that have been affected by this terrible problem.  If elected, please join me on this road to help others in need.

Transportation - Infastructure: Mag Lev/Light Rail/HyperLoop - Regional Growth means JOBS!!.....JOBS!!

Westmoreland County and the surrounding area would change dramatically, if we were all connected from the Pittsburgh International Airport all the way to the Laurel Highlands, and beyond.   For many years, this new mode of transportation was studied and designed with the idea that the manufacturing be completed in this region.   I want to work with the surrounding counties on transforming our transportation with the Hyperloop, Maglev, or light rail. 

Building a better transportation system, like most major cities in the United States, would ignite a building boom like the Eisenhower Interstate Road System initiated in the late 1950s.  We need to lead the way with the help of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Federal Infrastructure money that is being talked about in Washington. I want to work with the State and Federal government on the $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill, being written in Washington. We have the technology, the manufacturing, and the know-how to get this done.   Why don't we start, together.  Let’s make this a reality.   I intend to start asking why not now?  Why not here?

Recently my wife and I, along with my brother John and his wife Tammy, had dinner with old friends.  Larry Bender is the retired Manager of Development for the City of North Las Vegas and his wife Richann Bender is the retired Executive Director of the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission (Maglev).  Richann worked on the Maglev for 20 years, and she said it was supposed to be built in Western PA.

Also, we need money for infrastructure to upgrade and replace aging water and sewer lines, along with plant upgrades.  Let's work together to help our communities out.

Support your Fire, EMS, and Police - County to work together with all our communities 

As your next County Commissioner, I want to work with the local communities and their Fire, EMS, and Police Departments to better serve their residents.  I will travel around to listen to all the volunteers and professionals to see how we can work together to make improvements where necessary.   The State wants to start charging our local communities for police protection in the future, and I would like to start discussions with our community leaders on the best course of action to take while getting the best service and protection.

Support our Local Education

Westmoreland County is very fortunate to have great public and private schools, along with outstanding institutes of higher education.   We must support our local community college for affordable quality education as a choice, while supporting other public and private colleges and universities.  A quality education is the key to everyone’s future and without it our community cannot grow.  I want to work with all educational entities within our county and continue to foster learning for students of all ages.

Start to Clean of the SWAMP/Corruption

 I want to start looking at the unnecessary contracts at the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) which we all pay for.   Then I would like go out to and give support to the Westmoreland County Manor with there hard working staff.  Also,  I will go and look at our county prison and give support because of the hug shortage of staff.