Cavanagh, Zimmerlink backed for commissioner
Having attended Fayette County Commissioner meetings since the early 1990s I can offer a unique insight into the upcoming general election on Tuesday Nov. 3.
This election is one of the most important elections in recent years. You must study the candidates very closely, and vote for the two best candidates. The future of Fayette County depends on this election.
We have six candidates on the ballot for three commissioner seats. They are Al Ambrosini, Vincent Vicites, David Lohr, Angela Zimmerlink, Jack Cole, and Sean Cavanagh. I will now offer my insights as to how this race is stands.
Democrats Al Ambrosini and Vince Vicites are an unusual pairing, Al Ambrosini beat Vincent Vicites for years ago as the candidate being backed by Tim Mahoney. Mr. Ambrosini has only had one issue since taking office, that issue has been his desire to build a new $80 million dollar county prison. He has withheld information from the public, and his fellow commissioners. Mr. Ambrosini’s prison plan has cost you the taxpayers $3.5 million to date, and you have nothing but a set of plans to show for it. An out-of-county judge ruled that Mr. Ambrosini was in violation of the county’s own zoning ordinance, and shut down his prison project.
Mr. Ambrosini also recently violated the county code in an effort to hastily sign a gas lease for the German-Masontown Park. Mr. Ambrosini failed to advertise as the county code clearly states to do, and he failed to obtain the two proper appraisals. Mr. Ambrosini has wasted millions of your tax dollars and withheld information from you the public, and played politics with his decisions. Mr. Ambrosini does not deserve your vote.
Mr. Vincent Vicites has previously served as a county commissioner for 16 years. If Mr. Vicites is running on a slate with Mr. Ambrosini you have to wonder what he is thinking? The question you should ask yourself about Mr. Vicites is does he allow his party politics to trump principle? I will say, when Mr. Vicites and Mr. Cavanagh served together they did accomplish many positive things for the county.
Mr. David Lohr, at event after event he says that he has been running for county commissioner for 20 years. Why would you vote for a guy who has continually changed political sides in an attempt to get elected? Presently Mr. Lohr is running with the Mahoney-Ambrosini regime. He refuses to attend the Fayette County Republican Party meetings, and in fact the Fayette County Republican Party voted to not support Mr. Lohr’s campaign. The reason is that he has aligned himself with Mr. Ambrosini. Mr. Lohr does not deserve your vote.
Mr. Jack Cole was a Democrat. He changed his party to Republican to run as the candidate of a certain regime to get rid of Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink. Mr. Cole then switched back to Democrat when this same regime pulled their support from outgoing Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky. Mr. Cole abruptly withdrew from the Democratic Primary Election citing family problems. Then he switched to an Independent. I believe this election is too important to vote for Mr. Cole.
Commissioner Zimmerlink has been exactly what you should want in a county commissioner. Mrs. Zimmerlink has been careful with your tax dollars. She has been for open and transparent government, Mrs. Zimmerlink has upheld her office with dignity and honor. Mrs. Zimmerlink needs a second vote to be able to implement new policy and programs that will make you proud of your county government.
Lastly, there is my brother, Sean Cavanagh. I have been fighting alongside Sean since the early 1990s when the corruption at the Fayette County Housing Authority came to the public light. Mr. Cavanagh while in the commissioners’ office uncovered major voter fraud occurring in our nursing homes. Sean has showed the courage that I hope all of us have. If our government is corrupt then what does that say about Fayette County? Mr. Cavanagh’s signature accomplishment is the Fayette County Business Park, what was once a cornfield is now the most successful business park in Fayette County history. He worked with his colleagues and displayed the leadership that you should want in a county commissioner.
I write this letter from my heart to all of your hearts. If you finally want a county government that is not controlled by behind the scene politicians then please join me in voting for Zimmerlink and Sean Cavanagh. Together they clearly represent the two best votes you can cast in this election. We have major problems that require leaders with conviction, integrity, and honesty. Those two people in this race are Angela Zimmerlink and Sean Cavanagh.
Mr. Michael J. Cavanagh is a resident of Uniontown.