Thursday, November 6, 2008

Who should replace Kim Ward as commissioner?

I think Wayne McGrew would be a good choice. Doug Weimer would also be an excellent choice, but I don't know if he would be interested.


I am opening this topic up for comments, so please leave your opinion.

53 comments:

Anonymous said...

tyler courtney

Anonymous said...

not george dunbar

Perry Christopher said...

Tyler Courtney? I don't think I know that person.

Please try to leave affirmative responses vs not_________

Anonymous said...

Frank Schiefer

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth Yorio! Does she live in Westmoreland County?

Anonymous said...

Tyler Courtney owns a business in town, grew up in greensburg, MBA, involved in a number of organizations around town. Very objective, very republican, can get along with the guys at the courthouse but won't cave

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth Yorio is the mastermind behind the republicans grassroots surge in Westmoreland County.

Anonymous said...

What about the son of Mike O'Barto? I hear he is a Republican. As a Republican, he would be able to get support from both Republicans and Democrats.

Anonymous said...

ken king

Anonymous said...

kenny king would do a good job.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Elizabeth Yorio is Westmoreland County's version of Karl Rove.

Anonymous said...

I have met Ryan OBarto a few times and think he would be a good fit. He is articulate and knows the politics. He would also be valuable in capturing the courthouse in a few years.

Perry Christopher said...

I have met Ryan O'Barto. He is a good guy. He has been involved in GOP races in several different states.

Kenny King?

Anonymous said...

Regardless of who it is, it needs to be someone who can carry the vote with a partner in 2011. They really need to beat Ceraso because Bayla's too hard to take down. That means a center of county know person will do the best (ie greensburg, hempfield, latrobe area)

Anonymous said...

by the way, Ryan is working in the pacific northwest now

Anonymous said...

Yorio and OBarto should go after the courthouse together. They would be effective fundraisers and could be a very good team to take on Bayla and Ceraso.

Anonymous said...

I know Kenny. He has a lot of experience with local politics and working with both sides of the table. I think he did a lot of stuff in Iraq and Kosovo with the Army...

Anonymous said...

Who do you think should run Perry? Do you think Yorio or OBarto would be effective?

Perry Christopher said...

Ryan O'Barto and Elizabeth Yorio are young and energetic people. They both have experience in working in politics. I think either would do very well. As I stated earlier, I think Wayne McGrew would be very good. The only concern I had about Wayne was whether he would be a good campaigner. In this case, he wouldn't need to campaign. If he governs effectively, reelection would be no problem.

Anonymous said...

The judges aren't going to pick someone that is going to fan the flames of hate for the two Tom's there is no way you will ever get anyone appointed that is like Ward. 9 of the judges are D's and they will make the pick.

Anonymous said...

Bob Regola is looking for work

Perry Christopher said...

I know you are trying to be funny and mean, but Bob Regola was a very effective senator. Tragic circumstances resulted in him not running again. Bob Regola would be an incredible county commissioner. While I am happy Kim Ward won, I was committed to Bob's re-election. Kim will be an effective state senator, but I still think Bob might have pulled it out if they had allowed him to use all the resources at their disposal (state senate committee). Doesn't matter now. Kim Ward will be a very good state senator. I know she will stand up to leadership. I have seen her stand up to leadership in the past when it in no way benefitted her to do so. On all issues that really mattered to me while I was chairman, Kim and I were in agreement. That makes me very comfortable with her as state senator.

Anonymous said...

The committee needs to recommend someone who can bring a fresh persecptive to our county government. We need new ideas in the courthouse. I think the best three people to bring these new ideas are Elizabeth Yorio, Wayne McGrew, and Ryan O'Barto. These three names should be the main focus of the committee.

Anonymous said...

Ryan O'Barto has a broad background and would bring very sound and fresh thinking to the position. He has just been ousted of a job when Congressman Phil English's campaign lost in NW Pennsylvania. I think he would do well with bipartisanship due to his name which would definitely give him an advantage against Ceraso. Also, he has great campaigning skills from his national political background. I would like to see O'Barto as our commissioner.

Anonymous said...

I too think the entire committee should have some imput on Kim's replacement. But in the end the vote that matters is that of the Judges. And by the way, I've heard that Balya and Ceraso are thinking about running again.

Perry Christopher said...

For the record, anonymous isn't me.

For those truly interested in running, I will be happy to post your photo, bio and case for being the next commissioner on this blog.

Perry Christopher said...

I wish Nathan Shrader was looking to be commissioner. He'd be a great choice, too.

Anonymous said...

I would like to see Kim's chief of staff Dottie Staffen. She probably know more at this point about the county than anyone mentioned so far.

Anonymous said...

This is funny, as if anyone cares what the republicans think. You had your shot with Kim in there. The judges are mostly D's and one is married to the chair. GET REAL!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Although I am flattered that my name is being mentioned for this position, I am not actively pursuing it. I have no doubt that Tom Ceraso and Tom Balya have our county headed in the wrong direction. When an elected official has spent more than 13 years in an elected office and has very little accomplishments to show for it, it is evident that it is time for a new direction. Whoever fills this seat needs to stand up to the two commissioners when they are wrong. However, they must also move beyond party lines and work with Ceraso and Bayla when it is in best interest for the people of Westmoreland County. This person must fight any tax increases and excessive spending by the current commissioners, make this county more pro business, invite more small business growth through lower taxes and tax incentives, and present more transparent government to the people of the county that both commissioners currently lack. It is time to move beyond partisan politics and move Westmoreland County in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

I think that Ryan O'Barto has the right ideas. We need to get back to the core principles of our party. If we do not get back to those principles then it doesn't matter who we pick.

Anonymous said...

How about Debbie Irwin

Anonymous said...

I DON'T BELIEVE TOM-TOM TEAM PLAN ON RUNNING AGAIN.

Anonymous said...

WHO IS KENNY KING ? i'VE NEVER HEARD OF HIM.

Anonymous said...

Debbie Irwin? No.

Anonymous said...

Look everyeone. We need to be realistic about this situation. The republican committee picked a sitting commissioner to run for senate. If that commissioner then wins and the committee that chose her now gets influence in ANY way in her replacement, we would open the flood gates for manipulation. A strong candidate would run, then decide to pick another position and the committee would put anyone they wanted in office. That would not be cool. The justices are completely immune to this whole process and will pick someone that they believe will move the county forward, period.

Anonymous said...

Ryan OBarto's comments are pretty harsh on an area that has had an unemployment rate well below the national average and average family wages above the average with a cost of living below the average, great schools, property taxes that are very competitive. That equation means higher quality of life in westmoreland county than other similiar areas of the country. Tom's may have done nothing to influence that, I probably agree. But things are not so bad around here, go to some other area with our same demographics and take a look, there is not nearly the infrastructure improvements you see here. Plus with the continued advancement of Seton Hill, UPG and St Vincent...plus WCCC (the least expensive community college on the planet), this place has a solid foundation for tremendous strength in the future.

Anonymous said...

Rich Gray or Lee Moffatt?

Anonymous said...

How about Greensburg-Salem School Director and South Greensburg Secretary Lee Kunkle or Rob Ferguson, a funeral Director and Community Leader from Scottdale.

Anonymous said...

Tyler Courtney gets my backing, he has the respect of many in the community already. He has his MBA, has managed a business, understands commerce and possesses the abilty and has the intelligence to get things done. His views are conservative, he is willing to work with others toward common goals but the man I know and respect is definately not a sell out.

Unknown said...

Tyler Courtney gets my vote. He is a down to earth man who has an exuberant amount of knowledge and possesses great leadership skills. I believe he would be fair to all and would do a great job in leading Westmoreland County. He has an MBA and is a brilliant individual. Success will surely follow Tyler wherever he goes. This county would be amiss to not choose Tyler.

Anonymous said...

Lee Kunkle? Don't you think its time for some new blood? Someone capable of making everyone feel engaged who is able to carry on a conversation with people in all walks of life. Tyler Courtney can definately do that!

anonymous said...

Latrobe Mayor Tom Marflak

Anonymous said...

does tyler courtney really want that job? if he does, the committee should just send his name because no one else is close to him on competence

Anonymous said...

Mr. Christopher,

In an earlier post, you mentioned that interested parties could send you a photo, bio, etc. Would you email me directly, so that I can provide you with my materials? My email is chewdw@upmc.edu.

I encourage others interested in this position to post their materials as well, so that the full committee has a chance to appreciate their efforts and accomplishments before November 22.

Thanks,

Doug Chew

Anonymous said...

yes, tyler courtney really wants that job. he IS the best man for the job. TC gets my vote!!

Anonymous said...

I think Suzi Scherff would make a good Commissioner!!!!

Anonymous said...

Scott Avolio

Anonymous said...

I wasn't aware that I needed a blood transfusion (new blood)! For the record, I AM NOT interested in being County Commissioner. I have two young sons who I would like to be able to spend time with. There are many more capable people listed who I believe can do the job.

Anonymous said...

I know Douglas Chew would be a great pick to head West Co in the right direction. He is a life-long resident, engaging, intelligent and a highly competent leader. The committee would be wise to focus on Doug Chew.

Anonymous said...

www.fergusonforwestmoreland.com

Perry Christopher said...

Some one please remind me, was Ferguson active while I was chairman. My term started with Bush/Cheney '04 and really ended when Tim Krieger was able to run unopposed in the GOP primary.

Tyler Courtney: Was he on the list of 20?

Ryan O'Barto?

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't Ryan O'Barto on the list Perry? Was his name even discussed in the meeting? rumor has it that Kim Ward does not like him very much because of his family ties.