Letter to the editor: Westmoreland commissioners must step up

I do not understand why Westmoreland County has been so stalled in response to covid-19 . A recent analysis ranked Pennsylvania 44th out of 50 states in getting the vaccine out to residents. Westmoreland is the 11th most populous county in Pennsylvania, yet we are 57 out of 67 in receiving doses of the vaccine. Very poor.

Our neighboring Fayette County Commissioners set up a first-class task force to get vaccines to the people. It is working very well, by establishing an easily accessible site to complete an online registration form. It doesn’t take people in circles to just tell them registration is closed. It takes the information so people can be contacted on when and where they will be able to go for their shots.

The Fayette County Commissioners should be commended for setting up this premier program and rolling out a centralized registry, while Westmoreland County Commissioners are dragging their feet.

When I called Commissioner Sean Kertes’ office about this, I was told it’s very complicated and that the state must better address it. I was told that West Virginia University is assisting Fayette County. Guess what? Westmoreland County has universities and colleges, too.

I think that all of our elected officials should be stepping up to keep our citizens as safe as possible from this viral plague. Yes, the state has responsibility, but so do the county commissioners.

I ask my commissioners to shape up, get this started and represent your citizens in making this a somewhat easier time.

L. Bud Santimyer

Scottdale