Political newcomer challenges Kasunic
Political newcomer Ronald L. Gallo and longtime state Sen. Richard Kasunic agree the local economy is in bad shape; however, they differ in how they plan to solve the poverty problem that afflicts Fayette County. Representing the Republican Party, Gallo, 64, a businessman from Connellsville Township, is critical of Kasunic’s tenure as a state legislator, saying the Democratic incumbent has done nothing to bring jobs and money to the area.
Kasunic, 59, of Dunbar Township, said he was worked hard to create opportunities for local job growth and said infrastructure is key to bettering the economy.
Gallo and Kasunic will face off in the Nov. 7 election, at which time it will be decided who will represent the 32nd Legislative District, which includes Fayette County and parts of Westmoreland, Washington and Somerset counties.
The two candidates met recently with the Herald-Standard Editorial Board to discuss issues relative to the 32nd District.
Gallo spoke mainly about job creation, saying that would be his top priority if elected.
“I want jobs for Fayette County, not welfare,” he said, without mentioning a plan to create additional jobs.
Gallo spoke about labor unions, saying he’s in favor of legislation that would regulate the way “they do business.”
“I’m not opposed to unions; I just think they have to change the way they do business. Our unions are crippling Pennsylvania,” he said. “I’ve never seen teacher’s strike for better education. It’s always for more money.”
As for the economy, Gallo criticized Kasunic, saying Kasunic has been in the Legislature for 23 years and that Fayette County has been one of the poorest counties throughout his tenure.
“He’s a dead fish. He’s done absolutely nothing for Fayette County,” Gallo said of Kasunic.
Nonetheless, Kasunic said he is working to improve the local economy and said infrastructure must be in place before anyone can expect businesses and companies to move into the area.
Throughout his lengthy political career, Kasunic said he secured millions of dollars for infrastructure improvement projects, including construction of the Brownsville-to-Uniontown link of the Mon/Fayette Expressway.
Specifically, Kasunic said he personally secured more than $2 million in state grants for water and sewer projects that provide essential development for area businesses.
If re-elected, Kasunic said he will continue to focus on infrastructure improvement projects and will remain committed to installing water and sewer lines and to improving roads.
“Once sewage is available and the roads are improved, you’ll see an increase in residential development, followed by an increase in commercial and industrial development,” he said.
Kasunic said he is frustrated by the high unemployment rate in Fayette County, but said he is optimistic things will change.
“In order for us to grow economically, the infrastructure has to be there. It’s slow in coming, but it’s coming,” he said. “It is frustrating, but I’ll bet you now that Fayette County is going to turn the corner.”
Kasunic said he is confident infrastructure will attract businesses, but said the county must be able to supply the companies with a qualified pool of workers to draw from.
Kasunic said Fayette County is lacking a “trained workforce,” and that one of his goals is to make sure low-cost education is available to people looking to learn a skill.
Also, Kasunic said he also doesn’t want to forget the businesses currently located in Fayette County, promising to do everything in his power to help them “grow and expand.”
In other matters, both Kasunic and Gallo said they’re advocates of changing the way business is done in Harrisburg, noting that everything should be done in the open.
If elected, Gallo said he would provide access to all of his financial records.
“We can’t have a secret government,” he said. “If it doesn’t have anything to do with national security, why should it be a secret?”
Kasunic, too, said he is in favor of open records and has no problem making financial spending records available to the public.
Kasunic said he believes lobbyists should have to provide financial records to the public, while Gallo said he would like to “outlaw lobbying all together.”
“Lobbyist disclosure is something we need,” Kasunic said. ” I have no problem with the general public knowing what I’m doing in Harrisburg. I have nothing to hide. There should be no secrets. We’re doing the people’s business. If someone is wining or dining a legislator, the public has a right to know.”
“Reform is something we need to do,” Kasunic said. “The arrogance of Harrisburg has to stop, it has to be reigned in. We need to be conducting our business in the broad daylight.”
Kasunic said he in favor of legislation that requires a 72-hour grace period before any bill can be voted on. He said the grace period would give legislators and the general public time to review the bill. That way, legislators would know what they’re voting on and the general public would have an opportunity to make their voice heard, he said.