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Zapotosky replaces Ambrosini as county commission chairman

By Patty Yauger pyauger@heraldstandard.Com 5 min read
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The new Fayette County Commission chairman is vowing to bring “unity” to the three-member panel and the community during his tenure, while the outgoing chairman claims it was a political move to jump start the 2016 campaigns of his fellow commissioners.

In a 2-1 vote on Thursday, Democratic Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky was chosen to hold the top post with Republican Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink elected as the commission’s vice-chairman.

The change of leadership came during a special reorganization meeting called by Zapotosky and Zimmerlink.

The action ousted Commissioner Al Ambrosini as the chairman of the board, a position he has held since taking office in January, 2012. Ambrosini is a Democrat.

Reorganization of the commission is permissible at any time, according to the county code.

County solicitor Sheryl Heid conducted the voting process with Zapotosky nominating himself for the chairmanship and Zimmerlink casting a second to the motion. Ambrosini declined to support the action.

Zapotosky then nominated Zimmerlink for the vice-chairmanship, with the two supporting the motion and Ambrosini again casting the lone no vote.

“Although I heard some applause, this is a time for an awakening; for us all to gather our resources and expertise and work collectively to make this county a better place,” said Zapotosky after taking the gavel.

There was no change made to the time, day, or location of the commission meetings.

With his election to the commission chairmanship, Zapotosky will automatically hold the same position on the county’s pension and salary boards, according to state statute, said Heid.

While Ambrosini has held the chairmanship of the county election board, the state statute does not specifically authorize the commission chairman to also hold the same post on the board, added Heid.

“You should address it at the next election board meeting,” she said.

Ralph Mazza of Vanderbilt, who had with others called upon Zapotosky and Zimmerlink since August to oust Ambrosini, was one of many to go to the podium to congratulate the two for taking the action and said that he hoped Ambrosini’s demotion indicated to him that he was not the public servant voters had wanted.

“You did not do the will of the people that you were elected to do,” he said in addressing Ambrosini. “I hope you work with the other two commissioners.”

Others were not pleased with the leadership change.

Chris Bennett, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), Local 9113 vice-president and a county prison corrections officer, said that the commission “took a step backward.”

“We have no plan to move forward now,” he said of the shelved Justice and Rehabilitation Center (JRC) construction project. “We work in the worst jail in the state.”

The JRC was to replace the current 125-year-old prison. The project, supported by the local union workers, was scuttled in August when Zapotosky pulled his support and joined with Zimmerlink to consider the renovation and expansion of the lockup.

Pointing to the outdated facility that has not met state and federal standards for two decades, Bennett said that JRC plan fit the needs of the county, the inmates and the workers.

“Where do we go from here?” he said. “I think we took a step backward today.”

It is unclear if the prison debate spurred the leadership change on Thursday as neither Zapotosky or Zimmerlink would comment as to whether it was the basis for the reorganization.

The prison issue has been at the forefront at meetings for more than two years, with the three commissioners initially split along party lines as to the direction it should take in the future. During that time, the Democratic members opted to proceed with the construction of a new prison while the lone Republican – Zimmerlink – touted her own plan, but was unable to move it forward.

In August as the bid packages for the new prison were being prepared, Zapotosky began to question the project that he had long-supported.

Although the design was completed and the project ready to be advertised, Zapotosky declined to authorize the publication that would allow for the bidding process.

Later that month, he joined with Zimmerlink to halt the JRC project and embarked on an alternative plan that calls for the county to build a 100 to 150-bed facility, renovate the interior of the jail and secure a secondary building to house a chapel, administrative offices, infirmary and kitchen.

Zapotosky, meanwhile, said it is time to move forward.

“When (Ambrosini) was elected he brought this issue to light,” he said. “I’ve applauded him on that a number of times, but I just disagreed with him in the end as to what direction we were going in.

“We’re elected as a board of commissioners, not one; not two, but three that are suppose to be able to sit at a table and do something.”

Ambrosini, meanwhile, said that the leadership change does not change his focus as he will continue to support the JRC project, pursue economic development opportunities, and work with various agencies to improve the health and education systems in the county.

“My priorities do not change,” he said. “Those are important to every man, woman and child in the county.”

Ambrosini tied his ouster to politics and the 2016 commissioner race.

“They are both concerned about being reelected,” he said. “Four years ago, Zimmerlink almost lost her reelection bid.”

While Zapotosky and Zimmerlink have yet to announce their candidacy, Ambrosini said he would seek a second term in office.

In a statement issued following the meeting, Zapotosky said that he was hopeful the title changes would “unite the board for the betterment of Fayette County.

“I hope and pray that this sets the tone for the board and boards to follow,” he said. “We see the ill effects of a divided government; just look at the failure of our (U.S.) Congress.

“We all three were elected by the people to work as one on their behalf; checking politics at the door where it belongs.”

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