Spence would work hard for 50th District
Rep. H. William DeWeese refused to meet with the Herald-Standard’s Editorial Board. That is his prerogative. In declining, DeWeese said he preferred to take his record and accomplishments directly to the voters. It is that very record and lack of accomplishments in the 50th Legislative District that continues to trouble this newspaper. DeWeese, as House minority leader, is one of the most powerful Democrats in Harrisburg, yet his district remains one of the poorest, disadvantaged in the state. His constituents struggle to find and keep jobs. His schools trail in accomplishments. Many of his communities lack clean drinking water and sewerage systems that are so necessary for quality of life and attracting new growth.
Yet DeWeese remains entrenched in Harrisburg, serving the other Democratic representatives, and keeping them complacent with money from his $11 million annual special leadership account. Because legislators are exempt from the Open Records Law, DeWeese isn’t answerable to the public for how he spends this money. But he is answerable to his constituents as to why he has squandered his talents in failing to lift Greene, Fayette and Washington counties out of the poverty. For the past 351 days, we have reminded DeWeese’s constituents that he has failed them in declining to honor his word to do one thing that is in his control, entirely, and that is release records of his slush fund. DeWeese can posture all he wants as to how his party is in the minority, therefore he is unable to take care of the folks back home. But when it comes to that slush fund, it’s his decision alone. He failed the test of leadership. His alleged clout means little to his district.
DeWeese’s nomination on Tuesday is being challenged this time by two other Democrats – Rev. Robert Spence and Lonnie Miller. Until recently Miller, a retired mineworker and author of historical books on local mining, was a registered Republican and doesn’t truly represent the Democratic platform.
Spence, on the other hand, has a history of community involvement. He is politically savvy, having served on the Brownsville Area School Board, as past president of the local NAACP chapter and as a president of a UMW local. He knows the issues, how to play the game and would be a tenacious fighter for the district.
The Herald-Standard recommends Spence for the 50th District.