Letter to the editor: Say no to Westmoreland County 'squad'

You can’t be an elected member of the Democratic Party and not eventually align yourself with the left on some issues.

Earlier this year, Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli posted a picture of her hand-picked candidates for row offices and sheriff. The photo excluded Commissioner Ted Kopas.

The “Cerilli squad” will again spend the most on November’s election, along with renting a campaign bus. Never before in Westmoreland history has local politics had parties spend so much to regain and retain power. Cerilli has said she will spend nearly $300,000 which is in line with 2015 ,when she was the leading spender at almost $298,000.

I believe this is about controlling the county’s finances and lucrative no-bid and union contracts to friends and family. After opposition was voiced, the over-priced no-bid Charles Volpe workers compensation insurance contract was not renewed in March, but the commissioners slipped it back in in October, one month before the election. Volpe was Cerilli’s largest donor at $24,500. We most likely won’t know how much he donated until after the election.

We also routinely grossly overpay for union paving, and our water rates went up 39% over three years. These smiling “look good” Dems have spent down our 2011 $41 million reserve fund to a few million while our population dwindles.

Join me on Nov. 5 and say no to the “squad.”

John Ventre

Hempfield