Democratic commissioner candidates square off for primary showdown
In what one prominent Democrat describes as the political equivalent of a World Series showdown, incumbent Sean M. Cavanagh and challenger J. William Lincoln are understandably on opposite teams in the Democrat race for Fayette County commissioner. In one dugout stands Lincoln, who retired as a state senator nine years ago at the height of his political power, pledging to restore credibility to an office he believes tarnished by bickering and lack of accomplishment.
“I just think that there’s a terrible image coming out of that courthouse,” says Lincoln, 62, who moved back to the county four years ago. “I think the rest of the issue is, what have they done for Fayette County?'”
In the other dugout, Cavanagh, seeking re-election to a third term, as is Chairman Vincent A. Vicites, views the Lincoln candidacy as a last-ditch attempt by the Fred Lebder-Robert Eberly political alliance to wrest back control of the county.
“(Lincoln’s) running because he’s part of the Lebder-Eberly-Lincoln regime,” says Cavanagh. “This is going to be a battle royal – this is the new versus the old. The reason I’ve come out so strong about this is because I wanted to smoke it out early and let people know where this guy (Lincoln) is coming from.”
Cavanagh says that Eberly, a millionaire Republican philanthropist, and Lebder, long-time chairman of the county Democrat Party, want to regain political clout and have trotted out Lincoln as their next front man, following in the tradition of former Commissioner Harry E. Albert III and current Commissioner Ronald M. Nehls.
“I think that Bob and Fred can’t stand that they’re not in control,” says Cavanagh. “This is the most important thing in their life, to be in control. It’s everybody’s right to run and my thing is not to be disrespectful … But I think that if the people of Fayette County put Bill Lincoln in, it’s a backward step.”
Rather than shy away from his political mentor, Lincoln admits to being a prot?g? of Lebder’s and pridefully defends the 85-year-old’s honor and good name.
“Contrary to what my good friend Sean Cavanagh thinks, Fred Lebder is a very respected man throughout the state,” says Lincoln. “Mr. Lebder’s going to be a strong supporter (of mine), as he’s always been. He’s always been a close friend. He’s somebody I respect quite a bit.”
Lincoln adds that he intends to run an issues-oriented campaign, but will respond in kind to any attacks or unfounded accusations. While specifically mentioning Cavanagh in that regard, Lincoln says his campaign will target the track record of all three commissioners.
“This campaign’s not going to go on half truths … I’m going to force him (Cavanagh) to face the issues that he’s never faced in the last seven-and-a-half years,” says Lincoln. “(But) this isn’t just about Cavanagh.”
That said, Lincoln adds that he won’t engage in further discussion of non-issue topics, as they pertain to Cavanagh allegations. “This is the last interview I’m going to do like this. I will not engage myself in this kind of debate. I just won’t do it,” says Lincoln. “I’m going to talk about what I can do for you as a voter. No negatives whatsoever.”
Cavanagh says Lincoln has good reason to adopt such a stance, considering his own track record that includes stepping down from his post as Senate Majority Leader at a time when he could have used that clout to help the county.
Cavanagh also says that during the current commission administration, Lincoln tried to “manipulate” things at the Fayette County Airport Authority, where he was brought on as a consultant, only to quit that job too. Cavanagh says that board members Gary Tedesco and Terry “Tuffy” Shallenberger, both big Lincoln backers, resigned as well when things didn’t go their way.
“My problem with Bill Lincoln is that under his tenure, his 22 years of service (in state office), Fayette County was last in the state in every bad category, (starting with) poverty and unemployment,” says Cavanagh. “I look forward to debating him on his record and my record. It’s clear that unemployment is down, population is up and Fayette County has lost its ‘distressed’ status for the first time in decades.”
Cavanagh says that a key philosophical difference is that while he has championed a government open to the press and public, Lincoln comes from the old backroom deal school of politics.
Lincoln says that he, too, looks forward to debating. “As a non-incumbent, I would love to debate,” he says, noting that he’s also lined up support from state Sen. Richard A. Kasunic (D-Dunbar), and state Reps. Larry Roberts (D-South Union) and Jim Shaner (D-Dunbar.)
Elsewhere in the Democrat field, Vicites says that he’s not surprised at Lincoln’s entry in the race, although he has no insight as to why Lincoln is running other than what’s been printed in the newspapers.
Vicites says he’s fully prepared to run on his own record, which he claims shows a willingness to tackle tough problems that had been largely ignored by previous commissioners, along with a cognizance of the need to maintain decorum.
“I think that in this last four years we solved many problems that have lingered for 40 or more years,” says Vicites. “I think this was a very proactive, progressive four years. I think we need to continue that momentum and continue moving the county in the right direction.
“I (also) feel that I have set an example as chairman of carrying out the duties of my office in a dignified manner. I’ve been very conscious of making sure that I represent Fayette County well, keeping the interests of the county as far as image very much of a priority.”
Vicites says that everyone has a right to run for office and that it’s up to the voters to decide which candidates they want to lead the county for the next four years.
Abandoned by Lebder and Eberly, whom he credits with his victory four years ago, Nehls says he hopes that voters recognize his accomplishments and don’t mistake his low-key style for ineffectiveness.
Nehls says that in 1999 he promised new leadership, teamwork and restoration of trust, and wholeheartedly believes all of those things combined to make the current administration the most progressive in generations.
“I think I’ve delivered. I’m not ashamed for myself … or for this administration,” says Nehls. “I think that we have shown that there are things that can be done … We’ve invested in Fayette County more than we’ve ever done before.”
Nehls’ short list of accomplishments by the current administration includes: the countywide reassessment, a new Children & Youth Services Building, a minimum-security prison, significant health care cost savings, sale of the Great Meadows Amphitheater, strategic computerization and a manpower needs assessment.
“I could go on and on and on. I challenge anybody to take a look and find something wrong with that (list),” says Nehls. “I’ve got documentation to say that I was a good commissioner … I think that most people would say that previous to me, there was much turmoil and few accomplishments. I say, ‘What’s the difference?’ Me.”
Cavanagh says that Nehls is taking a little too much credit when he makes that statement, noting that he and Vicites laid much of the “groundwork” for those projects in the previous administration.
Nehls says that while he’s finding it much more difficult to get financial backing than when Lebder and Eberly were in his corner, he thinks people recognize the “new standards and new direction” he’s provided.
Another candidate in the Democrat primary, former county controller Harry Fike, says his campaign is centered around two themes: the embarrassing conduct of the commissioners at their televised meetings and the need for them to give more of a sympathetic ear to constituents.
Toward the latter end, Fike says he favors taking decision-making power away from the independent Tax Assessment Appeals Board and restoring it to commissioner control, once again giving commissioners the ability to revise individual property tax assessments on appeal.
“Since I left office down there (eight years ago) and got away from all this, I think our county has a very bad image,” says Fike. “Our current commissioners are embarrassing when they get on TV. They pout and they fight … they act like children, not commissioners.’
Fike says he would do away with the strict three-minute time imposed on citizens during public comment, using the rationale that not everyone can explain their problem or concern in a short period of time. He also warns that “taxes are going to go up” because of the reassessment, based on his knowledge of courthouse operations.
“The poor taxpayer does not realize that a year or two down the road … a lot of taxpayers are going to be crying,” says Fike. “My business office is right next to (state Rep.) Larry Roberts’. He’s in that plaza right behind me. The day after those (reassessment) notices came out, there was a line of people outside his office that made me think he was giving something away. You’d have thought he was giving away food.”
Fike says he believes the reassessment “hasn’t been done properly,” noting, “It’s broke and needs to be fixed.” While admitting that the old assessment system was in need of repair, Fike says he’s generally not pleased with the way that was done.
Since he also believes as a concept that the commissioners should “sit down and listen” to people who have complaints, Fike says he would favor putting the commissioners back in control of the assessment appeals process.
“I feel that the commissioners are the ones who should sit and hear people’s problems and complaints. I think that absolutely that would be the way to do that, yes sir,” says Fike, who adds that the bloated commissioners’ office staff is another of his concerns.
Vincent Zapotosky, a newcomer to running for public office, is experienced in public service, having spent 10 years as a congressional office field representative/coordinator. Zapotosky held that job for two years under former U.S. Rep. Austin J. Murphy and eight years under his successor, U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara.
Zapotosky, 38, who grew up in Masontown and lives in Uniontown, says his strengths are constituent service and the acknowledgement that cooperation and diplomacy are keys to getting things done.
Zapotosky says the job of county commissioner is administrative, not legislative, and should be carried out from that perspective. He pledges to impose a two-term limit on himself, vowing to serve no more than eight years if elected.
“I’m going to be thinking about public service,” says Zapotosky, a former assistant football coach at Albert Gallatin Area High School who’s also played county league baseball for teams in Leckrone and Carmichaels.
As far as issues, Zapotosky says economic development, reassessment, authority appointments and improving wages for county workers head his list, with specifics on those and other issues to come as the campaign unfolds.
Zapotosky says he isn’t teaming with any other Democrat and hopes to reach voters with his message that this election is the most important one in Fayette County’s history.
“I respect all the other candidates. I’m running this race individually … I don’t think we should force-feed the public a ticket,” says Zapotosky. “I would be viewed as the underdog (in this race). I admit that.” But he adds he relishes that position.
Lebder also could not be reached for comment.