Hempfield incumbent leads GOP field for 2 supervisor nominations

One Republican incumbent and one new candidate were the leaders among five GOP candidates seeking nominations for two seats on Hempfield’s board of supervisors, according to results from Tuesday’s primary.

With all precincts reporting, incumbent Doug Weimer, 55, a Norwin teacher seeking his fifth term on the board, led all Republicans with 25.5% of the votes for his party’s nomination to another six-year term, followed closely by Becky Durbin, 52, the vice chair of the township’s planning commission, with 23.9%.

Paul Kosko, 64, a former Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County employee, received 20.5% of the votes, followed by Jacob H. Silvis IV, 54, owner of a residential and commercial landscaping firm, who got 18.5%. Tony DeGregorio, 73, a retired township public works employee, received 11% of the votes.

The two Republicans will face off against at least one Democrat in the general election —- Jerry Fagert, 64, the lone Democratic candidate on the primary ballot, for a position that pays $5,000 a year.

Hempfield is in the midst of a large construction project along Route 30 that will be the new home to a park, municipal complex and other amenities, as well as change in its volunteer fire service.

DeGregorio said he was concerned about the amount of money spent on the construction of the multimillion-dollar municipal complex off Route 30 and Mt. Pleasant Road. He was opposed to the project.

Durbin said she believes the municipal complex will help attract families looking for a place to live, thus increasing the township’s revenue.

Kosko said he wants to work with volunteer firefighters to determine how to best support them and the township fire service. He is in favor of a study of the police, fire and emergency medical services in Hempfield.

Silvis said he believes that the infrastructure should be improved and the township should follow its comprehensive plan approved in 2023 to guide the township over the next 10 to 15 years.

In addition, Silvis said, there should be collaboration with state police to enhance the protection of the township and incentives for volunteer firefighters to keep responding to calls. He’d like to see more communication with the public about the future of the township’s fire department as well as the municipal complex under construction.

Weimer said he wants to continue the “nonchartered” process with the township’s fire departments, which he says is about saving the volunteer fire department system.

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