Letter to the editor: 1 commissioner could get the job done in Westmoreland County

By the time the next primary rolls around, our three Westmoreland County commissioners will be earning over $100,000 each. Those three plus their staff will cost the county over $500,000. Why do we need three people to make a decision? One commissioner and two staff members would save the county over $250,000.

Our commissioners continue to increase staffing in departments and dole out large pay raises. They knew we had a budget shortfall but said nothing, only to surprise us with a 32.5% tax increase right after the election. I guess we need a county Department of Government Efficiency.

Commissioner Doug Chew calls Commissioner Ted Kopas’ request for a 2.5% raise cap a political stunt. But is it? Wouldn’t that set the tone for contract negotiations at 2.5%? Chew promised to donate 60% of his salary in 2019 but never did.

Why did Westmoreland County Republican Committee Chair Bill Bretz endorse and protect Chew and Commissioner Sean Kertes? Bretz called an emergency meeting to endorse them.In my opinion, Bretz and his committee members deceived the voters at the polls with their slate card claiming that only Chew and Kertes were Republican commissioner candidates when myself, Paul Kosko and Patricia Fritz were also on the ballot as Republican candidates.

I stand for integrity.

John Ventre

Hempfield