May 1, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

MENALLEN TWP. – A political newcomer will attempt to unseat a township supervisor with 12 years’ experience in the May 15 primary. Barry Jordan of New Salem will challenge incumbent candidate Robert “Tweety” Yatsko of Newboro for the Democratic nomination.

Whoever wins the primary likely would be the next supervisor – a job that requires involvement in everything from legal, economic and environmental concerns to road maintenance and financial matters – because there is no Republican opposition.

In a recent interview, Yatsko said he is seeking a third term because he wants to finish projects he and his fellow supervisors began. Those projects include installing sewer and water lines throughout the entire township, in addition to adding more fire hydrants and streetlights.

“I want to finish what I’m doing,” he said.

Yatsko, a lifelong resident of Menallen Township, said he wants to see the area flourish and said he’s committed to increasing the tax base by attracting real estate developers and businesses.

According to Yatsko, several developers already have expressed an interest in building new houses in the township. Yatsko said he’s confident more developers and businesses will be interested in the township once the Brownsville-to-Uniontown section of the Mon/Fayette Expressway is completed.

“The expressway will cut right through the middle of the township,” he said. “It will help us.”

During his two terms, Yatsko said property taxes never have been increased, noting that he and the other supervisors know how to work within the township’s means. To supplement tax revenue, Yatsko said the township applies for and receives grants.

“We have all new equipment that’s paid for, other than a truck we just bought, and a new township building, and we never raised taxes,” Yatsko said.

Over the years, Yatsko said he’s built solid relationships with fellow elected officials, locally and on the state and federal levels. In addition, Yatsko said he’s a good communicator and always willing to listen to and assist township residents.

“I make myself available 24 hours a day,” he said. “People can always call.”

Since being elected in 1996, Yatsko said he helped build a playground at Menallen Elementary School and organized annual township picnics and cleanup weeks.

Yatsko said he also helped organize a crime watch group Keisterville and said he’s willing to help other neighborhoods do the same.

If re-elected, Yatsko said he’d like to see an emphasis placed on recreation. He said he also would like to see a community center built in the township, noting that there are plans to construct one in Keisterville.

A lifetime member of the New Salem Volunteer Fire Department and past president of the Fayette County Association of Township Supervisors, Yatsko said he always has been “community minded.”

“I’ve been involved with the community my whole life,” he said, noting that he currently serves on the Grass Roots Committee of the State Association of Township Supervisors.

And, if re-elected, Yatsko said he’ll work to make sure township equipment and property is properly maintained and cared and promised township roads will be maintained and kept free of snow and ice in the winter and kept

“We have 32 miles of roadway to care for, and that’s a priority,” he said.

Jordan, a township employee for more than 25 years, has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached for an interview.