Hempfield resident confronts maskless county controller at commissioners meeting

Westmoreland County Controller Jeffrey Balzer said Thursday he won’t comply with the governor’s edict or the county’s mandate that face coverings are a must at the courthouse.

Balzer refused to wear a mask during a county commissioners meeting and briefly engaged in a heated discussion with a Hempfield resident who questioned him about his uncovered face.

“It’s just a health issue,” Balzer said following the meeting. “I cough. And if I put a mask on, I cough even more.”

Balzer, a three-term Republican, was confronted by Michael Pardus prior to the start of Thursday’s meeting. Pardus walked up to Balzer and questioned him. When Balzer responded that allergies prevented him from sporting a mask, Pardus became heated and accused the controller of putting him and others at risk.

“It is an order of the governor, and it’s unacceptable for you as an elected official of this county to not wear a mask. There is no debate, it’s the law,” Pardus said.

All three commissioners, county staffers and other elected officials at the meeting wore masks. Balzer was the only person in the room, where chairs were separated by more than six feet to facilitate social distancing, who did not have his face covered.

Face coverings at the courthouse had been optional until a week ago, when Gov. Tom Wolf made mandatory the wearing of masks in public. Commissioners have since ordered all county workers to comply with the governor’s edict.

“We are following the governor’s requirement to wear masks unless you have a preexisting condition,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.

Balzer said he did wear a mask when shopping recently at a local store that mandated he do so. He said he took no issue with Pardus’ challenge.

“I respect his opinion, but it doesn’t mean I will wear a mask,” Balzer said.