Zimmerlink will be full-time commissioner
Vowing to be a full-time commissioner, Angela Zimmerlink said Saturday that she’s quitting her full-time job as a paralegal in Greensburg to devote all her attention to the people of Fayette County. “It’s evident that the people wanted a change, and it’s now time for a change. I’m glad for this, and I want the people of Fayette County to know that I won’t let them down,” said Zimmerlink.
Zimmerlink was one of many women speaking at a forum sponsored by the Uniontown Business and Professional Women’s Club in honor of the 75th anniversary of National Business Women’s Week.
Zimmerlink was elected commissioner Tuesday in one of the most stunning upsets in Fayette County history. A Republican, she defeated former state senator and longtime Democratic Party stalwart Bill Lincoln. Incumbent Democrat Vincent Vicites finished first and Republican Joe Hardy finished second. The GOP win marked the first time that Fayette County elected two Republican commissioners since 1932.
Zimmerlink’s win was even more noteworthy considering she spent only $8,000 on her campaign, while Lincoln and Vicites spent upwards of $150,000 and Hardy spent more than $500,000.
She said she didn’t accept any campaign contributions for several reasons, including the fear that people may think they are “in her pocket” if she did.
“My husband and I sat down and talked about it and decided to take money out of our savings account. Money is hard to come by and people work hard for it and they shouldn’t just give it up. And, its not how much you spend, it’s how you spend it,” she said.
Zimmerlink said she ran for commissioner because she was tired of talking about the county’s problems and wanted to do something about them.
“I’ve always had an interest in Fayette County, and I, like other people, wasn’t happy with a lot of things that were happening, so I decided I was going to stop talking about it and actually do something about it,’ she said.
Zimmerlink said she had a few helpers, family and good friends who assisted her with some things, but for the most part she and her husband did the dirty work. She explained that they did a lot themselves because she isn’t the type of person who rubs elbows for political endeavors and added that she’s not a Republican loyalist or a Democratic loyalist, just a person who wants to do the best she can for Fayette County.
“I went from door to door and talked to people. I didn’t have a speech that I repeated at each home. I just talked, told people what I was about. It was a common-sense plan, and it didn’t include a man,” she said, joking.
Zimmerlink said she truly believes she appealed to people because she talked about things that were important to them and mostly because she listened. In addition, she said she sent out one mailer.
“I sat at home in front of my computer and wrote what I wanted to say. We packaged the mailers up and some friends put the mailing labels on them and we sent 11,000 pieces of mail. I didn’t do any TV ads and I was put on three radio slots by the Concerned Citizens of Fayette County,” she noted.
Zimmerlink explained that the tough part was doing all of the little things, like going to the post office, ordering mailing lists, making and returning phone calls, all while working a full-time job and managing a family-owned business. However, she said it was well worth the work.
On Election Day, Zimmerlink said, she and her husband went to 12 different polls and shook hands with the voters.
“I had more than eight people call me and volunteer to work the polls, but I didn’t accept. I think people already have their minds made up when they get there,” she said.
Zimmerlink said she will perform her duty with integrity, and she plans to leave some day with integrity.
“My doors will always be open in Fayette County,” she said, adding that she had to leave the forum to get some laundry done, something all working women could relate to.