Uniontown businessman to seek GOP nod in commissioner race
A Fayette County native and businessman will seek one of the two available Republican nominations in the May primary for a seat on the county commission.
Patrick Lion, an insurance broker and agent for 35 years, said his goal, if elected, is to change the current direction of the current administration that has allowed for dismal employment numbers and a declining population in the county.
“Fayette County remains behind in the key areas of job creation, development and population growth,” he said. “We have everything in place for these three things to occur except for true leadership on the county level.
“For too long our county commissioners have been focused on fighting amongst themselves instead of fighting for jobs in our area. I will bring a lifetime of common sense experience in the private sector to county government.”
Lion said that he knows first-hand how a poor economy affects families as he has watched as his siblings and children have had to take up residence elsewhere to achieve their goals and support their families.
“I was one of 12 kids growing up,” he said. “Most of my brothers and sisters had to move away to pursue career goals.
“Two of our children had to move. That’s what this race is all about. I want my grandchildren to have the opportunity to work here and raise their families here.
“In order to allow that to happen we must have a functioning county government that is welcoming of job creators.”
Lion said that the current administration has lost its ability to focus on improving the county for its residents.
“We have allowed the politicians on both sides of the aisle to run amok in Fayette County for too long,” he said. “Time after time we read about another embarrassing account coming from the county courthouse.
“We can’t expect different results in our county governing by electing the names that we’ve seen on the ballot year after year.
“Every day I see what years of inept leadership on the county level has brought. People in Fayette County have stopped believing in our county, which is a shame considering all that our county has to offer.
“To really change the dynamic in Fayette County, I believe it’s going to take a new kind of leadership.”
Lion, meanwhile, said that inmate overpopulation at the county prison is an issue that must be addressed.
“It has to be a priority,” he said. “If there is pressure from the state (regarding deficiencies), something will have to be done very quickly.”
As to how he would approach resolving the issues facing the antiquated lockup, Lion said that it would be premature to offer an opinion when he has yet to review the documentation that has been received by the county.
Lion is the first Republican to announce a bid for the GOP nomination. Incumbent Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink is the only Republican on the board.
She has yet to announce whether she will seek a fourth term in office.
Voters will choose two Democrats and two Republicans in the May primary with the three top vote-getters in the November general election to secure a position on the three-seat commission board.
Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Al Ambrosini has indicated he will seek a second term while Democratic commission Chairman Vince Zapotosky has yet to declare his candidacy.
The primary election is May 19.