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Zapotosky departs fall election, public office

By Patty Yauger pyauger@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky (center) speaks with fellow Commissioner Al Ambrosini following the announcement Monday afternoon that he would not seek a third term in office.

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Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard

A tearful Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky announces before a few elected officials and county employees, Monday afternoon, that he will not seek a third term.

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Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Standard

Two-term Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky embraces his son Will following the announcement Monday that he is bowing out of the November election.

An incumbent Fayette County commissioner will not be on the ballot in the fall.

Fayette County Commission Chairman Vince Zapotosky said there have been many accomplishments during his tenure, but it is now time to step down and pursue other opportunities.

In a sometimes emotional 15-minute statement made Monday at the 911 Public Service Building, the two-term public official announced to various elected officials and county employees that he would not seek re-election.

The announcement coincided with final day for Independent Party petitions to be filed with the election bureau.

The long-time Democrat switched to the Independent Party prior to the 2015 primary election, but indicated that it was his intent to be on the ballot in the fall.

His reasoning was two-fold, said Zapotosky, including an earlier campaign promise to maintain a two-term limit, and the personal strain it has become for him and his family.

“It would be very easy for me to re-trace my steps and say that I have a lot of unfinished projects and a number of other factors, but the reality is I wanted to stick to my word,” he said.

Zapotosky said that the accomplishments made during his administration and the groundwork laid for others now put in place, will allow for the next administration to move forward.

“Hopefully, whoever will fill my seat, these accomplishments will allow them to advance Fayette County for the better over the next four years,” he said.

While he highlighted a few accomplishments — including the implementation of the county hotel tax, upgrade of the 911 radio system and the expansion of the Children and Youth Services building — Zapotosky said that there is an extensive list of projects and receipt of funding that has benefited county residents.

Pointing to the $38 million Masontown Bridge project funded through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Zapotosky said that the project would not have taken place without a cooperative effort between the county and former Gov. Ed Rendell.

“By agreeing with (Rendell) to fund bridge maintenance and some other services, we were able to get this money,” he said. “Fayette County never had gotten this money before.”

While there were successes, there were also disappointments, said Zapotosky.

“We did not finalize anything on the county jail and I hope to work on that over the next few months,” he said. “Hopefully the next administration will grab it by the horns and run with it.”

As his young son sat at the rear of the room, Zapotosky said that his final decision not to run was based on a request from the 9-year-old several months ago.

“This job consumes me,” he said. “(My son) told me that he didn’t want me to run because he didn’t want to see me stressed.”

Zapotosky thanked fellow Commissioner Al Ambrosini who had joined with various department directors at the press conference.

“With exception of a few issues we have agreed to fund predominately everything,” he said. “He’s been a fine addition to Fayette County and will hopefully continue to be.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without two commissioners that are progressive in nature and know the word ‘yes,’ opposed to the word ‘no’ or abstention.”

Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink did not attend the meeting or respond to a request for comment about Zapotosky’s departure from the upcoming race.

He additionally thanked the directors and staff for their work and his administrative assistant, Kathy Winkler, for her steadfast devotion during his tenure.

“On Jan. 1 the doors of the courthouse will open and hopefully work continue with three commissioners that do stand for progress, not stagnation,” he said. “(That those elected) stand for more than political spin and will do what is in the best interest of Fayette County.”

Ambrosini, meanwhile, said that the county benefited from Zapotosky’s public service.

“I am appreciative of his eight years of service to the county,” he said following the announcement. “This isn’t an easy job.

“He’s done very well and it’s clear the county is in better shape because of him.

“I wish him well in whatever his endeavors are in the future.”

Zapotosky, meanwhile, did not reveal what he will pursue after his term expires at the end of the year.

“I hopefully do have some plans for the near future,” he said. “Right now, I’m going to continue to work with (Ambrosini) and progressing the county.”

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