Sep 4, 2011 By Jerry Shimko 2 min read

In an economy of budget cuts, program eliminations and just pure lack of knowing the direction of the political leaders, I applaud the efforts of the Fayette County commissioners and the vision they have for our county.

As an employee of Ford Business Machines, Inc., again one of the 32 resident employees from the county, the question should be — Why not Ford Business Machines?

With the rate of unemployment and the ability to maintain lifestyles, a company that aides in the progression of the county by growing consistently would be a great choice.

As a competitor in our industry, the gentleman from Ricoh who criticized the commissioners in a recent letter to the editor should understand the CoStar contract and how it works. It is a buying consortium that allows qualifying entities to purchase from a pre-bid contract governed by the state Department of General Services. Over 6,700 procurement departments currently use this program statewide.

With this in mind, taxpayers should understand the benefits of this program: pricing is governed and approved by the Department of General Services, contracts are not needed to be advertised publically saving budgetary dollars, and the awarding of this contract to a local company should be evaluated at a level of overall economic impact to the county.

Local business and the revenue to the county, employed residents paying taxes in the county, and the ability to keep successful businesses in the county are the focus of what our leaders are working towards in the advancement of the county.

So, I respond by applauding our local leadership and encourage them to continue to work with individuals and companies that wish to be part of the solution not the problem. As I say everyday — positive impressions — how many would you like? Let’s continue to enhance the positive and allow the negative to go its separate way.

Jerry Shimko is a resident of Uniontown.