Cavanagh to seek commission seat in November

Sean Cavanagh, a former Fayette County commissioner, said Tuesday he intends to run again for the office and is ready to bring bold leadership that he believes will improve the county’s economy, tourism, education system and the outlook of its citizens.
Cavanagh, a registered Independent, said not belonging to a formal political party allows him to better serve all county residents and not be tied to party leaders or committees.
“I thought about, and contemplated, running for county commissioner for a long time,” he said. “I have never been a guy that toes party lines.
“The Democratic apparatus that existed in Fayette County for such a long time never really was behind me. However, I’ve always believed the Democratic people were behind me.”
Cavanagh served as commissioner from 1996 to 2004. He ran a successful reelection campaign as an Independent candidate in 1999. He remains the only non-party candidate to win a commission seat within Fayette County.
Cavanagh said his second term brought together his fellow commissioners and others to develop what is now the Fayette County Business Park in South Union Township.
“It was a 600-acre parcel that was valuable, but not doing anything,” he said. “Today, that brings over $1 million in tax base. There’s hotels, retail and restaurants there. I’m very proud of its success.”
If elected, Cavanagh said he plans to implement an economic development plan he has termed “Resource Fayette.”
The initiative includes tapping former residents that are now leading Fortune 400 companies or independent companies for their input as to how their hometown can prosper.
“We have connections and I want to bring these people back and get their thoughts and their ideas how we can become what our neighboring counties are doing so well,” said Cavanaugh, adding that he is the only candidate to have an economic plan for voters to review.
Other aspects of the plan are to develop a countywide tourism office and a county community college in Uniontown.
“I am very much a supporter of our universities, and it is my hope that there would be a collaborative effort with them to develop this for the county seat,” said Cavanagh. “When your county seat is thriving so is the rest of the county.
“Allegheny, Westmoreland and Beaver counties all have affordable community colleges that feed the four-year universities, and I believe this can be accomplished if there is interest in the naming rights for the college.
“Tom Monahan, founder of Dominos, recently gave $100 million to start a university in Florida. This can be done.”
“Resource Fayette” also includes eliminating crime and drugs in the county by giving law enforcement and the district attorney’s office the tools needed to accomplish the mission.
“There is so much that can be done with the right people at the helm,” said Cavanagh. “Everyone needs to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
“It is time to erase the negativity that has existed in our county for such a long time.”
The addition of Cavanagh brings the total number of candidates vying for one of the three commission seats to six — two Republicans, two Democrats and two Independent candidates.
Republican incumbent Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink and David Lohr, along with Democratic incumbent Commissioner Al Ambrosini and former Commissioner Vince Vicites won a spot on the November ballot in the May primary.
Uniontown businessman Jack J. Cole, also an Independent Party candidate, earlier announced his intention to seek a seat on the commission.
Current commission Chairman Vince Zapotosky has yet to declare his intent to seek re-election in the fall general election. He, too, has moved from the Democrat Party to the Independent Party.
The general election is Nov. 3.