Jan 9, 2007 By Amy Zalar 4 min read

Vincent Zapotosky of Uniontown has announced that he will seek the Democratic nomination in the May 7 primary for the office of Fayette County Commissioner. In making the announcement, Zapotosky said the county needs solutions to its many problems.

“With many commissioners in and out the door of the courthouse in the past decade, it’s quite disheartening to find that there have been no significant developments in any of the problem areas facing the county,” Zapotosky said. “In fact, deficit spending by the commissioners finally caught up with them when they had to pass record tax increases just to keep Fayette County operating. We need fiscal honesty.”

Zapotosky is making his second run at the office, as he unsuccessfully sought a nomination in the 2003 primary.

With the announcement, Zapotosky is the third Democratic candidate to throw his hat into the political ring and seek the nomination for Fayette County commissioner. Last year, former Fayette County Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh announced he is seeking the nomination, as well as current Fayette County Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites. No Republicans have announced their intention to seek their party’s nomination for the position.

Saying he was very humbled and pleased by the results of the 2003 primary when he was fewer than 1,500 votes away from securing a nomination, Zapotosky said one of his top priorities is to keep young people in Fayette County. “That would be a goal I will have throughout my tenure as county commissioner,” Zapotosky said. He said the problems in the county have to be looked at as a whole, including those in Brownsville and Connellsville as well as problems in the boroughs of Masontown, Republic and Point Marion. “We need to bring people back to these areas. One of my goals is population growth,” Zapotosky said.

Zapotosky said the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics reveal the following “dubious distinctions” about Fayette County out of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania: Fifth-highest in unemployment, third-highest poverty level, last in median household income and eighth-worst in adults over the age of 25 without a high school degree or GED, at one-quarter of the population.

“I have a burning passion to serve the people of Fayette County. As a lifelong resident and someone who has chosen to work and make my home here, I feel that progressive plans for improvements are not only necessary, but vital, to the future of this area. I have those plans in place and will be releasing them during my campaign,” Zapotosky said.

Zapotosky, 42, was born and raised in Masontown and is a graduate of Albert Gallatin High School. He attended California University of Pennsylvania.

Zapotosky is currently employed at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen, where he serves as the director of administrative services. Previous to that, he spent nearly a decade working on the staffs of former U.S. Rep. Austin J. Murphy and former U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara, where he acted as coordinator for constituent services.

“My experience at the federal level has sharpened my problem-solving skills while at the same time prepared me to be ready and able to tackle the difficult road of running for public office,” Zapotosky said.

Zapotosky has policy positions on economic and residential growth, infrastructure, tourism and public safety that he will share over the course of the campaign.

“A strong finish in the 2003 commissioner race has made me even more eager to share my message with the people, a message of urgency and a message of sincerity to help a county I care for so deeply,” Zapotosky said.

He and his wife Carol have lived in Uniontown since 1996. Zapotosky coached high school football for seven years and participated in the Fayette County Baseball League for more than 20 years, playing for the Carmichaels Copperheads. He is a social member of the AmVets, Polish Club and American Legion, all of Uniontown, and is also a member of the Pals Club in Masontown, Hutchinson Sports Club and the Knights of Columbus.

Zapotosky said he hopeful that throughout the campaign, the other candidates would support engaging in as many formal discussions/debates as the voters of Fayette County would desire. Zapotosky said he wants to have numerous candidate forums so the voters can identify the candidates they feel would be the best to serve them as county commissioner.

The Committee to Elect Vincent Zapotosky is headquartered at 364B S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, Uniontown, PA 15401. Zapotosky welcomes anyone that would like to help him in his efforts to “Forge Fayette’s Future.” For more information or to join the campaign, call 724-322-5387.