Letter to the editor: Dermody should be reelected

The New Kensington and Arnold area has only been a part of state Rep. Frank Dermody’s district for a few short years, and what a blessing that has been to the community.

I say that because of the growth and development in our cities, such as the new Affival steel facility in the New Kensington Advanced Manufacturing Park, as well as the other new companies that are now there. When New Kensington and Arnold leaders asked Dermody to help them bring Affival and its 50 employees to the area, he said yes, and now we have it instead of the state of Indiana, where the company was preparing to move.

Dermody has been instrumental in providing activities for area children through the YMCA and other groups, and is a member of the board for the Willie Thrower Award.

Because of Dermody’s stature in our state assembly, a lot of barbers, restaurant owners and other small businesses received covid-19 relief funds from the state. He helped Arnold secure a $1.8 million loan to improve our sewer lines, and assisted Wesley Family Services with its Pioneer Apartments building in New Kensington.

On Nov. 3 please vote to reelect Dermody.

Melvyn Smith

New Kensington