Zimmerlink outlines need for solid education
The key to addressing a lack of motivation and poor work ethic from Fayette County residents is to demand better performance from our students and employees, according to Fayette County Commission Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink. “We need to start raising the level of expectations and concentrate on solid education,” Zimmerlink said. She said a good motivation tactic would be telling an employee if they don’t show up for work they are fired and they wouldn’t have welfare programs to fall back on.
“Work ethics start at home. Responsibility starts at home. Raise the level,” Zimmerlink said. She also said the workforce needs to be developed and “Harrisburg” should be removed from the school system.
Zimmerlink said legislators should get on with the reform agenda beyond improving the open records legislation. “Public schools should compete with private schools,” Zimmerlink said, adding that competition is a good way to improve performance.
Those remarks were made Monday evening during a candidate forum at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in which all seven Fayette County commissioner candidates seeking to secure the two Democratic and two Republican nominations in the May 15 municipal primary each answered two questions. The Fayette Chamber of Commerce sponsored the forum, and chamber members wrote the 14 questions.
Zimmerlink and Joseph A. Hardy III, the two sitting Republican commissioners, are the only two people seeking their two party nominations. Five Democratic candidates are seeking the two Democratic nominations.
Among the Democratic candidates are Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites, former Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh, former commissioner candidate Vincent Zapotosky and former county office candidates John “Sonny” Mikita and John “Toots” Croftcheck.
During the forum, the seven candidates randomly selected numbers to designate the order in which they answered questions, and then drew envelopes for two rounds of questions.
Zimmerlink also answered a question about the importance of infrastructure and how to attract economic development. She said the issue needs to be addressed with state legislators, and “a lot of reform needs to be done.” Zimmerlink said funding must be reallocated for infrastructure. She said although it takes a long time, once the infrastructure is addressed the private economy will follow. “If we get infrastructure and transportation, we can let the private economy take over,” Zimmerlink said.
Hardy, who drew the number one and sat in the first seat, answered questions about a hotel occupancy tax and the perceived negative image of Fayette County. Hardy said he is against the hotel tax, which would add up to 3 percent onto the cost of a room, not because his daughter owns Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, but because it is singles out certain businesses. He said he believes the negative image of the county is mostly a thing of the past.
Cavanagh said the way to adequately train the workforce is to set up a “clearing house” for companies in which they can find the skilled workers they are seeking. “They need the skills to pay the bills,” he said. Cavanagh also promoted Zapotosky, with whom Cavanagh is running as a team, in his answer, saying Zapotosky has great expertise in the field, adding the Zapotosky got computers for veterans.
In addressing how to support development outside downtown Uniontown, Cavanagh said the commissioners must listen to the leaders in Connellsville and Brownsville and work with them. He said economic development doesn’t always come from the private sector, adding that U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, has brought defense contractor businesses to the county.
In addressing a question on how to tap into the regional success of neighboring counties, Vicites said he has a plan to work with other counties to help Fayette County grow, namely by working with county commissioners from the neighboring counties of Westmoreland, Greene and Washington as a member of the executive committee of the Southwest Regional Commission. “We have to have good highways and infrastructure,” Vicites said. He said obtaining highway systems and infrastructure brings development. “There’s dirt flying everywhere and not in the political campaign,” Vicites said. “We’re in the right direction.” Vicites said cooperation between the chamber, labor and economic development agencies is key to progressing.
Regarding the need for a comprehensive procurement policy for the county, Vicites said one is “absolutely” needed. However, he said what must be understood is the way it stands now, by law a contract must be awarded to the lowest bidder. He said a local company couldn’t simply be given a contract because they are local. “Legislation must change. I would not violate the law,” Vicites said. He explained that it is a different scenario entirely in awarding a contract obtained via a request for proposals, which does not have to go to the lowest bidder.
In addressing what is needed to protect historic structures in the county zoning ordinance for 32 out of 42 municipalities, Zapotosky said it is important to remember history while continuing to grow. Zapotosky said the historic landmarks must be remembered when addressing plans for growth. “The county must continue to grow and prosper,” Zapotosky said. He vowed to work with Cavanagh to approach things in a rational manner and said the end result will be a “good product that will allow for economic growth.”
Zapotosky said the key to working with county authorities, agencies and organizations to stimulate progress for the entire county is to keep in mind that different areas have different needs. He said comprehensive plans must be developed. “Government can only help stimulate economic development,” Zapotosky said, adding the needs of existing businesses must be addressed.
Croftcheck addressed the issue of business incentives by saying he has worked to bring small businesses in without tax incentives. He said the Anchor Hocking site should be used as an incubator site. He said small businesses should be put into the former glass plant. “We’ve got to keep moving Fayette forward and concentrate on small businesses,” Croftcheck said.
Croftcheck also said he wouldn’t play favoritism in awarding contracts. He said everybody should be treated equally regarding bids.
In addressing his stance on implementation of a hotel tax, Mikita said it would be “alright” to implement the tax to put Fayette County on a level playing field. Only three Pennsylvania counties do not have the tax. Mikita said it is vital for the commissioners to have control of where the money is spent, adding that 75 percent of the money should be spent on tourism promotion for Fayette County.
Mikita also said too often politics comes into play regarding preferential treatment for businesses. “It is not a fair process. The leadership has to change. We are stuck back 40 years ago,” Mikita said. He said in the county there is often a problem of intergovernmental department communication. “Fayette County is infamous for not following rules and regulations,” Mikita said.