I have been kicked off the republican committee--months after the fact of my transgression. The committee waited this long to act to avoid any possible bad press during the election. I do have to disagree a little with their findings. The findings stated that I wrote negative comments about Mike Reese in a letter to the Latrobe Bulletin. I disagree. I purposely wrote a positive letter about Mike O'Barto and his experience. I did not once mention Mike Reese in the letter. Here is the letter. The same letter spoke well of the other republicans on the ballot.
Considering the letter I received today, I will support James Antoniono for Westmoreland County District Attorney in both the primary and general election.
As for the future, my political philosophy has not changed because I am no longer on the committee. I am still a republican.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Truer words were never spoken!
Regardless of what your view of the situation, the case was handled very poorly. Based on that alone, a change is what is needed in the District Attorney's office. If I were a registered democrat (and I am not), I would vote for James Antoniono for district attorney. As a matter of fact, I may temporarily switch to do just that. Of course, that all depends on what is happening in the GOP primary.
Antoniono said Peck mishandled the investigation and prosecution of former state Sen. Robert Regola, whose gun was used in the suicide death of his neighbor, 14-year-old Louis Farrell. Regola was acquitted of perjury and gun charges last summer.
"He (Peck) was not at the scene, and I think that's wrong. The (Farrell) family lost a son, and Sen. Regola lost his job under a cloud of suspicion. All that could have been cleared up," Antoniono said. Tribune-Review 1/16/2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
My wife had a meeting with Kim Ward and Mike Reese yesterday
We knew that Kim Ward was a going to be a good state senator. Rhonda said her and her staff were great. But, she already knew Kim and some of her staff.
State Rep Mike Reese was there. Rhonda doesn't think she had ever met him. Rhonda told me he was very engaged in the discussion about education. Rhonda told me he demonstrated good analytical skills. She also stated he was very friendly.
I thought I would just take this opportunity to again state that I was wrong and Mike Reese is doing a good job as state represenative.
State Rep Mike Reese was there. Rhonda doesn't think she had ever met him. Rhonda told me he was very engaged in the discussion about education. Rhonda told me he demonstrated good analytical skills. She also stated he was very friendly.
I thought I would just take this opportunity to again state that I was wrong and Mike Reese is doing a good job as state represenative.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
GOP petitions in Unity Township
For the primary election, I will be circulating petitions in Unity Township. So, if you are considering running for supervisor, auditor, judge or row offices, let me know. I will not be circulating for school director. I am already committed to circulating petitions for that office.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Commissioner Anderson
See, it looks like the judges did the GOP a favor. Maybe the GOP can hold their horses on the silly vote no on the retention of judges. It looks like the judges got this one right!
I do feel a bit sorry for Bompiani. It is hard to be a school director because Harrisburg sort of passes the buck to the school districts to raise taxes. Oh well, I participated in the tagging of Bompiani as a tax loving school director too.
Republican Commissioner Charles Anderson, who replaced Ward last month, said he liked Bompiani but his presence on the water authority's board of directors could be dangerous to ratepayers.
"I was concerned about his record of tax increases. This impacts an awful lot of people, and we just have a philosophical difference of opinion," Anderson said.
Tribune-Review 1/9/2009
I do feel a bit sorry for Bompiani. It is hard to be a school director because Harrisburg sort of passes the buck to the school districts to raise taxes. Oh well, I participated in the tagging of Bompiani as a tax loving school director too.
I love the opening line to this song
How I wish you could see the potential, the potential of you and me.
Its like a book elegantly bound but in a language that you can't read, just yet.
Its like a book elegantly bound but in a language that you can't read, just yet.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Colin McNickle and Tom Balya
The Tribune-Review is a major newspaper. Currently, the world economy is in decline. The economy in the US looks bad. We have a new president. We have many new elected represenatives. A new county commissioner. Lots of stuff to write about. So, what does McNickle write about: Tom Balya called someone a dipshit. Shocking. I may never be the same after hearing dipshit. WTF!
Some background. If you e-mail Tom Balya with a question or you want to start a debate, he will reply and engage you in a discussion. From personal experience, Tom Balya considers e-mail between two people to be private. It should be, but it is not. I know all this very well. When Kim and George were running against Tom and Tom, my self-appointed duty was to taunt Balya through my blog and e-mail. I tried very hard to get a good quote to use in the campaign, but he did not bite. I did blind CC: an e-mail I sent Tom to a Trib writer. He did go ballistic over that to me, but he held his tongue until after the election. To my recollection, he did not use profanity. However, I would have not been even slightly annoyed by dipshit. I am not in the third grade.
So, a guy named Bill Eger routinely e-mailed Balya for debate. Balya seemed to engage Eger. It is actually a positive trait if an elected official is so willing to engage in debate. The problem is Balya wrote dipshit in his response. Oh heavens. What should we do? Will the world ever be the same? And Eger forwarded that e-mail to the Trib's McKickle who wasted newspaper space on a column.
I personally think it is great that you can engage your elected officials in policy debate. Without having the complete exchange of e-mails, you can't criticize him for using the word dipshit. Without the tone of Eger and Balya's relationship, the exchange is taken out of context. I should know because I tried to bait Balya into the same thing in the past.
I have since changed. I think others should to. If a column was to be written criticizing anyone, it should have been written about Eger forwarding the e-mail to the Trib.
Some background. If you e-mail Tom Balya with a question or you want to start a debate, he will reply and engage you in a discussion. From personal experience, Tom Balya considers e-mail between two people to be private. It should be, but it is not. I know all this very well. When Kim and George were running against Tom and Tom, my self-appointed duty was to taunt Balya through my blog and e-mail. I tried very hard to get a good quote to use in the campaign, but he did not bite. I did blind CC: an e-mail I sent Tom to a Trib writer. He did go ballistic over that to me, but he held his tongue until after the election. To my recollection, he did not use profanity. However, I would have not been even slightly annoyed by dipshit. I am not in the third grade.
So, a guy named Bill Eger routinely e-mailed Balya for debate. Balya seemed to engage Eger. It is actually a positive trait if an elected official is so willing to engage in debate. The problem is Balya wrote dipshit in his response. Oh heavens. What should we do? Will the world ever be the same? And Eger forwarded that e-mail to the Trib's McKickle who wasted newspaper space on a column.
I personally think it is great that you can engage your elected officials in policy debate. Without having the complete exchange of e-mails, you can't criticize him for using the word dipshit. Without the tone of Eger and Balya's relationship, the exchange is taken out of context. I should know because I tried to bait Balya into the same thing in the past.
I have since changed. I think others should to. If a column was to be written criticizing anyone, it should have been written about Eger forwarding the e-mail to the Trib.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Has to be hard to be mayor of Latrobe
Tom Marflak tries to hold the line on taxes, but he was outvoted 4-3. I hope the people of Latrobe knows how hard Tom fights for conservative principles.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
New republican leadership team
State Senator Kim Ward: Anyone who has ever worked with her will tell you that Kim is intelligent and energetic. She gets things done with the sheer force of her personality. In the state senate, she will not be a back bencher. Kim will fight hard for the interests of the people in the 39th district and not the interests of the Harrisburg insiders. If the GOP does not with the governor's race in 2010, I see Kim as a potential Lt. Governor candidate in the next cycle.
State Represenative Tim Krieger: Fantastic guy! Conservative. Great family. You can count on Tim to do what is right.
State Represenative Mike Reese: I honestly respect Mike Reese a lot. In both the commissioners race and the race against O'Barto, I was a pain in the ass, but he never was anything but nice to me. After the endorsement for commissioner, Reese went out of his way to compliment me on my family. He is also in a way smarter than me. I thought about running for the 59th but did not because I figured that O'Barto would beat any republican. I was certainly wrong and Reese was right. I look forward to him being my state represenative and will attend his fundraisers if he sends me an invitation this time. For the record, he was the first person I called to tell that Jess Stairs wasn't running again. At least I got that part right.
Commissioner Charles Anderson: I think the judges got this one right. You can't really argue with the leadership skills of a US Marine officer. Granted, it would have been more fun for me if Scott Avolio was commissioner. He is a great guy.
Jury Commissioner Debbie Irwin: You can always count on Debbie to shake things up. In a good way.
I am afraid that the county committe will fall apart with out the great political skills that Elizabeth Yorio brought to the table.
State Represenative Tim Krieger: Fantastic guy! Conservative. Great family. You can count on Tim to do what is right.
State Represenative Mike Reese: I honestly respect Mike Reese a lot. In both the commissioners race and the race against O'Barto, I was a pain in the ass, but he never was anything but nice to me. After the endorsement for commissioner, Reese went out of his way to compliment me on my family. He is also in a way smarter than me. I thought about running for the 59th but did not because I figured that O'Barto would beat any republican. I was certainly wrong and Reese was right. I look forward to him being my state represenative and will attend his fundraisers if he sends me an invitation this time. For the record, he was the first person I called to tell that Jess Stairs wasn't running again. At least I got that part right.
Commissioner Charles Anderson: I think the judges got this one right. You can't really argue with the leadership skills of a US Marine officer. Granted, it would have been more fun for me if Scott Avolio was commissioner. He is a great guy.
Jury Commissioner Debbie Irwin: You can always count on Debbie to shake things up. In a good way.
I am afraid that the county committe will fall apart with out the great political skills that Elizabeth Yorio brought to the table.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Caroline Kennedy interested in Clinton senate seat
Critics are all over the place saying she is not qualified to be a US Senator. Has anyone looked at how dysfunctional our government has been as of late? Is anyone there very qualified to be a senator? Look at others trying to be senators: Al Franken? Chris Matthews? She is as qualified as anyone. I don't like how far left she would be, but you know had he not died, her brother would be the US Senator from New York. So, why not her? She is just as good as just about anyone else in DC.
George Dunbar mad at judges
If anyone had an ax to grind with a judge, it was me. I sat in a courtroom when a my father in law was kicked off the ballot for essentially the same infraction that a democrat was allowed to stay on the ballot for. The cases were one after the other. I took it like a grown up. I accepted it and moved on. If you read my past posts, you can see why I did not think the judges would look at the GOP list. However, I think they did. I think they did not choose Bill Davis out of deference to the fact that he was rejected (stupidly) by the GOP committee. What did you expect the judges to do? Did you read Ferguson's comments? The judges could not pick one of the four because Ferguson made it look like it was going to be the beginning of some massive GOP assault to take the courthouse back. The relationship between Tom, Tom and Kim was awful. The judges could not risk more of that.
Chuck Anderson looks to be the best choice out there. Maybe the GOP should have seen that in the first place and recruited him. As I said before, his name was brought up to me by others in another matter. Although George Dunbar may have never heard of Mr. Anderson, it seems everyone else has and I just would not be messing with the selection of a retired Marine colonel.
So, don't be mad at the judges. Go read Ferguson's statement on the official GOP site and tell me that you guys didn't mess this up. You should have gone with a petition drive. After all, the judges may selected Anderson based on his community involvement, resume as a marine officer, and his presentation. If I am not mistaken, he did put his name in when Terry Marolt died. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.
Besides, I am tired of all this partisan stuff. I am going to support James R. Antoniono for Westmoreland County DA in the primary and most likely in the general unless the GOP can come up with a quality candidate. The upcoming judges: this should not be partisan. Candidates can cross file. Judges should be supported based on fairness, experience and intellect. I am not about to vote for someone for judge who cares only if there is an R or D next to someones name.
Here is George's letter
December 11, 2008
To All Westmoreland County Republican Committee Members:
I am writing to you today to express my disappointment in the selection of Charles Anderson as our next County Commissioner. This is not an indictment of Mr. Anderson, I have never met the man nor have I ever heard of him prior to this process. I am hopeful that he will be an excellent commissioner and serve the residents of Westmoreland County well. My disappointment lies with the Judges of our fair county.
We as a group respectfully submitted four extremely qualified names for consideration to the judges, who ignored us. As opposed to listening to the voices of the 87,000 Republicans we were elected to represent, they chose to listen to a select few voices in the courthouse. This deed cannot go unnoticed.
We cannot shrug our shoulders and lament the fact that the Democratic Judges have control and we have to accept this. We need to force change. The most recent election cycle proved once again that the Republican Party in Westmoreland County is alive and strong. The same energies we expended for McCain, Corbett, Ward, Krieger, and Reese will be needed in this year’s election to remove the Judges that have ignored our requests. Now is the time to flex our collective muscles.
An off-year election, with anticipated low turn out, is the perfect opportunity for us to show our strength. We need to all be focused and motivated to get our message out, and in turn get our voters out as well. I urge you all to use today’s slight as motivation as we move forward.
With no disrespect to soon to be Commissioner Anderson, I am disappointed, angry and have a chip on my shoulder. I hope all of you do as well. Let’s use this to our advantage in removing those who are responsible for this.
George Dunbar, Chairman
That wouldn't be the judges. I believe that may be those who turned this into the start of the election on day one! That was just silly and short-sighted.
Chuck Anderson looks to be the best choice out there. Maybe the GOP should have seen that in the first place and recruited him. As I said before, his name was brought up to me by others in another matter. Although George Dunbar may have never heard of Mr. Anderson, it seems everyone else has and I just would not be messing with the selection of a retired Marine colonel.
So, don't be mad at the judges. Go read Ferguson's statement on the official GOP site and tell me that you guys didn't mess this up. You should have gone with a petition drive. After all, the judges may selected Anderson based on his community involvement, resume as a marine officer, and his presentation. If I am not mistaken, he did put his name in when Terry Marolt died. Someone can correct me if I am wrong.
Besides, I am tired of all this partisan stuff. I am going to support James R. Antoniono for Westmoreland County DA in the primary and most likely in the general unless the GOP can come up with a quality candidate. The upcoming judges: this should not be partisan. Candidates can cross file. Judges should be supported based on fairness, experience and intellect. I am not about to vote for someone for judge who cares only if there is an R or D next to someones name.
Here is George's letter
December 11, 2008
To All Westmoreland County Republican Committee Members:
I am writing to you today to express my disappointment in the selection of Charles Anderson as our next County Commissioner. This is not an indictment of Mr. Anderson, I have never met the man nor have I ever heard of him prior to this process. I am hopeful that he will be an excellent commissioner and serve the residents of Westmoreland County well. My disappointment lies with the Judges of our fair county.
We as a group respectfully submitted four extremely qualified names for consideration to the judges, who ignored us. As opposed to listening to the voices of the 87,000 Republicans we were elected to represent, they chose to listen to a select few voices in the courthouse. This deed cannot go unnoticed.
We cannot shrug our shoulders and lament the fact that the Democratic Judges have control and we have to accept this. We need to force change. The most recent election cycle proved once again that the Republican Party in Westmoreland County is alive and strong. The same energies we expended for McCain, Corbett, Ward, Krieger, and Reese will be needed in this year’s election to remove the Judges that have ignored our requests. Now is the time to flex our collective muscles.
An off-year election, with anticipated low turn out, is the perfect opportunity for us to show our strength. We need to all be focused and motivated to get our message out, and in turn get our voters out as well. I urge you all to use today’s slight as motivation as we move forward.
With no disrespect to soon to be Commissioner Anderson, I am disappointed, angry and have a chip on my shoulder. I hope all of you do as well. Let’s use this to our advantage in removing those who are responsible for this.
George Dunbar, Chairman
That wouldn't be the judges. I believe that may be those who turned this into the start of the election on day one! That was just silly and short-sighted.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Hard economic times hits media
Many media outlets are cutting staff during this recession. There will be no layoffs at this blog. Our chief writer, me, will continue to plug away at the hefty sum of $0/year. A sum well earned by me.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Anderson is a good choice for commissioner
You certainly can't go wrong with a retired US Marine colonel. Anderson also has been involved in the community. I also think he is a good republican. If I am not mistaken, his name was mentioned to me by people if we needed a candidate to run in the primary for state senate in the 39th (had Regola dropped out before the primary).
Anderson is not overtly political. He may not run for a full term after this one expires. It is a really interesting choice by the judges. Military training, without a doubt, prepares one well to serve as an executive. Balya and Ceraso can work with him. As a marine, I am sure he won't take any "partisan crap" from anyone. The more I think of the pick, the more I like it! For the record, I am quite surprised.
As for the republican committee, the endorsement process certainly did not do anything to elevate the "power of influence" of the committee. If anything, it hurt it. I am glad I did not do any such endoresement when Terry Marolt's seat was open.
Anderson is not overtly political. He may not run for a full term after this one expires. It is a really interesting choice by the judges. Military training, without a doubt, prepares one well to serve as an executive. Balya and Ceraso can work with him. As a marine, I am sure he won't take any "partisan crap" from anyone. The more I think of the pick, the more I like it! For the record, I am quite surprised.
As for the republican committee, the endorsement process certainly did not do anything to elevate the "power of influence" of the committee. If anything, it hurt it. I am glad I did not do any such endoresement when Terry Marolt's seat was open.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
George Dunbar over-reaching?
The GOP took applicants and got the list down to 10. Then, the vote occurred and the final four were selected. I don't know if at any point applicants were asked to not apply if they were not selected. Considering the low number of votes the winner received AND the large number of proxies which resulted in the final four list, I think it is a bit much to complain about people not selected submitting their names anyway. Even more, Wayne McGrew did the exact same thing when he lost out on the GOP county commissioner endorsement against Dunbar. He filed petitions anyway and now is being reward as an endorsed candidate. So, Dunbar really should not be complaining.
What I think is inappropriate at this point is the statement George made that he is going to tell the judges why the other candidates were not selected by the committee. I have spoken to some committee folks and the gripe they had with some candidates was the fact the candidate would not be overtly partisan and working on re-election from day 1. It is not the judges responsibility to select someone to position the GOP to win two seats in the next election. If Dunbar is going to be critical of other republicans, maybe he should be viewed the same way as me. He is the dude who asked me to resign at the request of several districts.
read about it in the Trib...
What I think is inappropriate at this point is the statement George made that he is going to tell the judges why the other candidates were not selected by the committee. I have spoken to some committee folks and the gripe they had with some candidates was the fact the candidate would not be overtly partisan and working on re-election from day 1. It is not the judges responsibility to select someone to position the GOP to win two seats in the next election. If Dunbar is going to be critical of other republicans, maybe he should be viewed the same way as me. He is the dude who asked me to resign at the request of several districts.
read about it in the Trib...
Dunbar said that in addition to his letter recommending the party's endorsed candidates, he also sent the judges information about which candidates were not supported by his committee.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Shew...I was afraid Bill Davis wouldn't put his name in
after the GOP left him off the list of 4. He did. My top 4 candidates for the position are:
- Bill Davis
- Scott Avolio
- Jess Stairs (all about contacts in Harrisburg on this one)
- Tom Marflak
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The procedure to apply for commissioner
Here you go:
- a letter of intent
- a resume
- a letter of recommendation (if possible)
I can write a letter of intent, but I have been self-employed so long--I don't have a resume. I am sure Olivia could write me a letter. She thinks that I rock! Maybe Mike Reese could write me...oh wait...
In reality, Mike Reese would be the guy to get a letter of recommendation from. He is very well liked and respected in the courthouse.
You have until 4PM tomorrow.
Anyone have anything good on who the new commissioner might be?
Post it in the comments or send me an e-mail at perry@westmorelandgop.com
I approve all comments unless they are obviously inappropriate, racist, etc... Remember, I deleted the last blog because of all the anti-Mormon Mitt Romney stuff that just drove me insane!
I approve all comments unless they are obviously inappropriate, racist, etc... Remember, I deleted the last blog because of all the anti-Mormon Mitt Romney stuff that just drove me insane!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
I am looking at the 4 endorsed candidates of the county GOP
I can't really figure out why Rob Ferguson is on the list. I am sure he is a nice guy, just about everyone is, but why county commissioner. I guess he had some people working proxies pretty hard for him, but is that a qualification.
After reading his piece on the WCRC website, I think I would make a better and more effective minority commissioner than him. His goal is wrong. It shouldn't be to fight with Tom and Tom and prepare for the next election to win it for the GOP. There has to be more of a reason for the GOP to control the courthouse other than we need to win it for the GOP.
I think the minority commissioner simply needs to studying the issues that arise and vote or make statements reflecting what is best for the people of Westmoreland County. That is not what is always best for the GOP taking the courthouse.
I also think the minority commissioner should develop a niche area to work. If Tom and Tom continue to govern as a team, the minority commissioner would be able to focus on particular areas of interest that need attention.
I should apply, but I don't know if my golf game is up to being commissioner. We'd have to have 5K runs as fundraisers rather than golf outings.
After reading his piece on the WCRC website, I think I would make a better and more effective minority commissioner than him. His goal is wrong. It shouldn't be to fight with Tom and Tom and prepare for the next election to win it for the GOP. There has to be more of a reason for the GOP to control the courthouse other than we need to win it for the GOP.
I think the minority commissioner simply needs to studying the issues that arise and vote or make statements reflecting what is best for the people of Westmoreland County. That is not what is always best for the GOP taking the courthouse.
I also think the minority commissioner should develop a niche area to work. If Tom and Tom continue to govern as a team, the minority commissioner would be able to focus on particular areas of interest that need attention.
I should apply, but I don't know if my golf game is up to being commissioner. We'd have to have 5K runs as fundraisers rather than golf outings.
Monday, December 1, 2008
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