Westmoreland commissioners pushed to take meetings on the road

Westmoreland County commissioners might be taking their show on the road later this year.

Bowing to public criticism leveled at the start of Thursday’s public meeting at the courthouse in Greensburg, commissioners agreed to consider a plan to relocate future sessions in communities throughout Westmoreland County during the latter part of 2024.

“I am hopeful it will happen this year,” said Commissioner Ted Kopas. “I’ve always thought we should do this. I brought it up before we set the calendar for this year and I am heartened there seems to be an agreement on this.”

Several residents who attended Thursday’s meeting asked the commissioners if they could hold their monthly sessions at night or in locations throughout the county to allow more people to attend.

Commissioners typically have one or two public meetings each month that start at 10 a.m. at the courthouse.

Two meetings were held outside of the courthouse last year, one in June at Historic Hanna’s Town to celebrate the county’s 250th birthday and another in July at Westmoreland County Community College near Youngwood as part of the county’s human services fair.

Previous commissioners have held meetings on the road about 20 years ago.

“I’ve been in support of (different meeting times and locations) since 2019,” said Commissioner Doug Chew.

Rachel Remlinger, 62, of Murrysville, is one of the people who called on commissioners to make the meetings more accessible.

“I had to schedule a day off to be at this meeting. They need to get more transparent,” Remlinger said.

Taylor Stuart, 39, of Greensburg agreed.

“I think there is a lot of wisdom in the community and these meetings should be out there in the public view. We want more people to participate,” Stuart said.

Commissioners Chairman Sean Kertes said he will consider the suggestions.

“We have to make sure we have people (county staff) here for every meeting, and we would consider some kind of travel around to different parts of the county,” Kertes said.

Kopas called on commissioners to vote on a revised meeting schedule at their next session, scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 8 at the courthouse.