Update from Mike Reese's kick off event

Very well attended. I can't stress how wrong I was about Mike Reese. I am actually thrilled to have him as a state represenative. He is a good family man, hard working, forgiving and knowledgeable. What more could you ask?

State Rep Tim Krieger was also in attendance. I have always had a high opinion of him.

William Russell for Congress?

His platform seemed to be I am not John Murtha. I think we (GOP) need a candidate with juice!

Tom Ceraso is interested in the seat? That is interesting. I will say this for Tom, he did check out Wilco due to my blog postings. So, he can't be all bad. Had he attended the Wilco show at St Vincent College, I might even had considered voting for him. Where were all you people when Wilco played at St. Vincent? What a lost opportunity for you all! By the way, Wilco's upcoming Pittsburgh show sold out super friggin' fast! Damn ticketmaster!

What's the next major GOP victory in Westmoreland County?

My bet is the state house seat currently held by Jim Casorio.

Huge night for Westmoreland County Republicans!

It was just a matter of time until the success we have had at the state and federal level trickled down to the county level. I see a very crowded republican primary for commissioner.

On to Toomey and Corbett!!!!! I am definitely not sitting out the Corbett race. Tom Corbett is an outstanding individual and should be governor. Pat Toomey is the right person to help restore some sense to the US Senate.

Tom Ward in Whispers column...

If Tom is going to challenge Tom Murphy for recorder of deeds, he should go ahead and be the replacement candidate for prothonotary. If he loses, no one will hold it against him because he is the replacement candidate. However, a countywide run now will help his name ID when he does run against Murphy. He would be helping both the party and himself.

Tom Marflak withdraws as GOP candidate for Prothonotary

Too bad, I like Tom Marflak and thought he was a good candidate.

What now? Should the GOP just forget about it and concentrate on Bryan Kline's race? After all, Patterson did poorly in his re-election primary for Clerk of Courts.

Results are in!

The readers of this blog (who are an intelligent lot) like Frank Schiefer and think he should run for county commissioner.

This morning Whispers

The Trib's whispers column claims State Senator Kim Ward is going to support democrat Carmen Pedicone next year. Anyone who knows Sen. Ward's long committment to the county GOP knows that she would not actively support a democrat against a republican for county office.

I, for one, would support Carmen Pedicone for re-election because he has earned it.

Tom Balya retiring as commissioner? That would end up being a big commissioners race. The GOP would have a great shot at winning two seats.

Westmoreland County Judge

This isn't what I wanted. Both candidates I support for judge are squaring off against each other this fall. Is there any way they can both win considering that Chris Scherer won both the democratic and republican nominations?

Why???!!!

Why are there so many new Walgreens? Do we need them? Do they offer anything different?

As usual, I have deleted some posts.

After an election, I always like to delete a few posts which commented on the current election. Last election, I deleted the entire blog. For this election, I just deleted the appropriate subjects. I left the Frank Schiefer post up because I really want Frank and others to learn to put things aside and just get along. Life is way to short.

Please vote for Frank Schiefer for Jury Commissioner

"Three Cool Cats"

I ran into Sen. Kim Ward and Debbie Irwin last night at Beatlemania Now at Greensburg's Palace Theatre. Their seats were right behind me. I had the whole family with me. Rhonda, Liz, Natalie and Olivia all enjoyed the show. It was nice seeing two former county GOP chairs and overall fun people. It was the first time I have seen Kim Ward since she was elected. She is the same friendly and fun loving person she always has been. Chuck Dominick (Latrobe mayoral candidate) was sitting right in front of me. As much as he must have wanted to get into this photo so he could present it as a present to his boss, Tom Balya, Debbie would never had allowed it.

Elizabeth sat in front of Sen. Ward. Liz still loves politics. Maybe some day she could intern in Kim's office. That would be sort of cool.

FYI, Three Cool Cats is a song off Beatles Anthology 1. It also applies in this case.

Just so you know, I am not losing my hair. Sort of looks like it. I ran out of the shampoo I like and the crap my kid had in the shower has made my hair stiff. With all the running, it just kind of stays back like that.

Westmoreland County Judge

I am supporting Meagan Bilik DeFazio for judge. You can vote for two. Should I support two or just vote for one? Make your case in the comments section.

Check out this consistency from our county judges

In 2005, Pat Laughlin was removed from the ballot for filing his statement of financial interest only in the election bureau. Attorney Scott Avolio argued that this was sufficient to the spirit of the law. Judge Caruso disagreed.

Read the full story here!

Judge Ober just ruled to allow a candidate for clerk of courts stay on the ballot for the EXACT same violation.

Read the full story here!

Judge Caruso did send me case law backing up his opinion. But, the law is the law! Can we rule consistently. Do these judges look at each others' opinions? When you vote for judge this spring, please carefully research all the candidates. Please vote for the best legal mind! This isn't just about republicans and democrats, it is about justice! Vote wisely!

Of course, the irony is that Pat Laughlin is running for clerk of courts in the May primary.

Harry Smail's website

How on earth was Harry able to get both his baby and dog to cooperate to take a good photo?

Congratulations to your photographer!

District Attorney Peck to run again

I personally think he should quietly skulk away. No matter if you were for or against Regola, I think most would agree he handled the case horribly and should not be rewarded with re-election.

Westmoreland County Conservative Coalition

E-mail I received from Don Thomson of the Westmoreland County Conservative Conservative Coalition. If you are interested in conservative principles, you should join and attend the meeting.

Hi Friends, Many of you have received my February newsletter via U.S. mail but I'm sending it now via e-mail hoping that you will forward it to your e-mail list as well. I hope that many of you will be able to attend our important meeting on Tuesday the 17th as we will be having some candidates and elected officials present. Congress sure hit us on Friday the 13th and our own Arlen was the chief culprit. He and many other topics will be discussed on Tuesday and I hope to see many of you there. Also remember that petitions for various offices can begin to be circulated on the 17th so bring any along if you wish. For God and Country, Don

The meeting is held at the Christian Fellowship Center February 17th intersection of Route 993 and Ridge Road

Update on new State Rep Tim Krieger

From today's Tribune-Review:

Laurel: To Tim Krieger. The freshman state representative of Delmont goes to the head of his class for taking on Gov. Ed Rendell's spendonomics. Among commonsense and sorely needed fiscal reforms, Rep. Krieger advocates zero-based budgeting, requiring all spending to be justified in each state budget, and the elimination of millions of dollars in discretionary spending -- money lawmakers spread like fertilizer to grow influence and reap re-election. Hear! Hear! This is an auspicious start for a legislator who wants to make a difference in Harrisburg.

Mountain View Inn

I have this terrible feeling that Mountain View Inn is going to end up being a brand new Sheetz. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, the Mountain View Inn in Greensburg, Pennsylvania (actually Unity Township) is closing. The bank is going to take control of it. I am afraid the location is worth more than the potential Inn business. I really could see them building retail or office space there. Yuck! I moved to Unity because I wanted to live in a residential area without all the retail like they have in Hempfield township. Unfortunately, the trend is not my friend. Unity is being developed like crazy. So much for all the beautiful trees. Besides, we need a whole bunch of houses built really close together on lots that have been totally cleared of trees so that we have to plant new ones and wait 50 years for them to grow (yes, a run on sentance!) Of course, we need more Walgreens! Why are they building so many of those stores. I have been in them. Nothing special.

Rhonda and I had our wedding reception at Mountain View in 1993. Here is a pic in the hallway of the old rooms at the Inn.