…I will be stepping down as a County Commissioner.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed serving the taxpayers of Westmoreland County and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of governing our county.  The minority commissioner position isn’t the easiest place to spread your wings, but it’s very important.  It’s the responsibility of the minority commissioner to protect the interests of the taxpayers by monitoring what the majority is doing.   It’s a checks and balances scenario, so it’s vitally important that the minority commissioner be an independent voice.  The one thing Westmoreland County taxpayers don’t need is a minority commissioner who will  simply “go along to get along” by compromising for purposes of personal power, political favors and “freebies”.

There will be strong candidates who will come forward to fill the Commissioner position.  Any applicant who has a family member employed by the county, one of the Authorities or does in some way benefit financially by the decisions made by the County Commissioners, should be eliminated from the pool of applicants immediately. I’m including the authorities in this because the Commissioners control the boards of those authorities and those boards have hiring, firing and promotion power.

The appointment of the next commissioner will be made by our county Judges.  I have confidence in the panel of these fine individuals and am certain that they will select someone who embodies the principles necessary to protect the interests of all county taxpayers.   Contrary to popular belief and rumors,  current Commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso do not select their Republican counterpart.

I personally believe the person selected should come from a list endorsed by the Republican party.  After all, the republican committee members are elected by the Republican voters. They are a segment of our representative government.

I  am humbled by the support of the voters in the 39th Senatorial District. I pledge to work hard and do the best job possible. Thank you!

Kim Ward has never raised taxes because she believes that taking more money out of taxpayer’s pockets hurts families. If elected, Kim will take her fiscally conservative record with her to Harrisburg.  It’s not that government doesn’t have enough of our money, it’s that government spends too much. Tony Bompiani raised taxes eight (8) times. To see his votes as per the Hempfield Area School District minutes, click here.

Kim Ward cleaned up the Hempfield Municipal Authority, enacted a first ever Code Of Conduct for Hempfield Supervisors and presented a Car Policy for Westmoreland County that will save taxpayer dollars.

Kim Ward is endorsed by PA Pro-Life Federation and LifePAC, Firearm Owners Against Crime and has an “A” rating from the NRA.  For complete list of endorsements click the “Endorsements” link.

Pennsylvania business taxes are too high and regulations are too overburdening to promote job growth. She will fight to reduce the burden on business so they will locate/stay here and create good jobs.

Kim Ward will not lease or sell the Turnpike to a foreign country.

Kim Ward believes we need to know at all times who is in our country and she will never vote to give taxpayer benefits to “illegal” immigrants.

Kim Ward will fight for job creation policies that help small businesses and the self-employed and believes we need to train local workers for the jobs that businessses need.

Kim Ward supports alternative energy that will reduce costs and create new jobs.

Kim Ward will work to make healthcare more affordable for those who have insurance, and to help get coverage for those who need it and will do it without raising taxes. She is a health care worker by profession and will never support a government run health care program.

We were very happy to receive the endorsement of the Tribune-Review today. Click here to read.

You know you’ve made it when Randy Bish makes a cartoon out of you. One thing about this school of fish, the facts that we have brought forward about Tony Bompiani are all straight out of the public records at the Hempfield Area School District.

Click below for the Bish cartoon.  I love this!

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/

My dad was my best supporter. He died on Sunday night.

For the past couple of years he has been tethered to his oxygen tank and was unable to walk too far or too fast without getting short of breath. That didn’t stop him from keeping up on everything his family was in to. Since it was so hard for him to get around he only made it to our home in Greensburg twice in the past year, but we drove to Meadowlands to visit him once, twice and sometimes three times a week. He would wait for me to bring any news articles in which I was a part and he kept close track of everything that was happening with me as a County Commissioner. He wanted to hear about everything that I was doing and if anyone interrupted those conversations he would SHHHH them. His advice was always the same -  don’t back down and keep fighting hard for what I believed.

Last week while he was in intensive care he told me he just had to live until November 4.  He also told me not to take time away from the campaign to visit him because I could do that after the election. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to him about that.

I’ll be back on the trail Friday.

Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 announced today that they have endorsed Kim Ward for State Senate

Kenneth White, President of the Chapter said, “Rolling Thunder is dedicated to supporting Veterans and Veterans Issues. We are proud to support candidates who will make sure that each Veteran in Pennsylvania is given the care and respect they deserve for serving our great Country. In this race, Kim Ward will be a Senator who will fight for us in Harrisburg.”

Rolling Thunder is a group comprised of Veterans and families of Veterans that raise awareness for prisoners of war and those missing in action, provide veterans assistance where needed, and push for legislation that would positively effect the Veteran’s Community.

Kim said, “I am deeply honored by the endorsement from Rolling Thunder; a group of heroes who have served our country, and continue to help those who are serving or have served.” She continued, “I am committed to supporting the Veterans in our community who have proudly served and sacrificed for all of us.”

Ken Marx, Legislative Liaison for Rolling Thunder and a resident of North Huntingdon Township said, “This state senate seat is critical for Veterans. Westmoreland County has one of the highest veteran’s populations per capita in the state at 11%. We need our elected officials to place veteran’s affairs as a priority and we know that Kim Ward will be that person.”

Kim recognizes the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform and their families. She strongly believes the Commonwealth has an obligation to ensure Pennsylvanian’s who have served - and are serving - receive the proper recognition and adequate access to necessary services.

Rolling Thunder educates the public about the many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. They are committed to help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. They are committed to helping American veterans from all wars by providing support for them when needed.

The three largest communities for small employers and business professionals recognize Kim Ward is the only choice for the 39^th.

Today, Kim Ward received the PA Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses endorsement. This endorsement, in addition to the Pennsylvania Chamber and the Pennsylvania Business Council, gives her the support of three largest communities for small businesses in the state.

Rich Gallo, Chairman of the NFIB/ PA Leadership Council said, “We support candidates for the General Assembly who possess a solid understanding of the problems and priorities of small-business owners, and who demonstrate a willingness to tackle these issues in Harrisburg.”

“I am honored by the support of the NFIB, PA Business Council, and PA Chamber,” Ward said. “As an elected official, I never voted to raise taxes and I signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to solidify my promise to the taxpayers of the 39^th district that I will not vote to raise taxes. Reforming our tax system – including slashing excessive taxes on small businesses to stimulate job creation will be my top priority as state Senator.”

Gallo remarked, “Kim Ward recognizes small businesses are the driving force behind Pennsylvania’s economy. She has a clear understanding of the challenges facing small-business owners, and we are looking forward to working with her during her campaign, and as Westmoreland County’s next State Senator.”

The announcement of the NFIB’s endorsement of Kim Ward makes her the only candidate for the 39^th State Senatorial District with small business owners on her side.

“My father was a machinist and member of the Steelworker’s Union, and he taught me the value of hard work. I give 100% effort to every task I set out to accomplish; and, I promise to do the same for the hardworking job creators here in Pennsylvania,” Ward commented.

Laurel: To Westmoreland Commissioner Kim Ward. Her campaign for the 39th Senatorial District hasn’t deferred her service to countians. And at first blush, the lone Republican commissioner’s proposal to revamp the county’s 10-year-old vehicle policy underscores that commitment. Specifically she wants to eliminate the personal use of county-owned vehicles. And why not — if indeed Westmoreland County doesn’t have money to burn.

Kim Ward Commits To Protecting

Working Families Hard Earned Money

No Tax Increase Pledge Signed

Kim Ward affirmed her commitment to Pennsylvania taxpayers by signing the Americans for Tax Reform pledge to oppose all tax increases as a State Senator.

“Working families already pay too heavy of a tax burden,” Ward said. “Given the current state of our economy, taxpayers cannot afford to be further burdened by government’s irresistible appetite to spend money. The rising cost of food, fuel and other basic necessities are crippling the middle class and our government must not exacerbate the problem even further. That’s why I am committing to the people of the 39th Senatorial District that I will oppose any and all attempts to increase taxes.”

Ward noted her track record of protecting the taxpayer’s interests as a local elected official. “Unlike my opponent, I have a record of never voting to increase taxes during my seven years in office. It is a record I am proud of, and one I will keep in Harrisburg as a State Senator,”

“Government must learn to live within its means,” Ward said. “I pledge to clean up Harrisburg. For starters, I will fight to make legislators part time with part time pay, which will save taxpayers millions annually.”

Ward also reiterated her support for the convening of a Constitutional Convention, reducing job crushing employer taxes, eliminating the inheritance tax and returning the legislative slush funds to the taxpayers.

“As a local official, I have a proven track record of bringing openness and transparency to government,” Ward said. “The people’s business in Harrisburg must be brought into the light of day and I will make change in Harrisburg that works for the citizens.”

During Ward’s tenure as a Hempfield Township Supervisor, she led the charge to implement the first ever code of conduct for employees and supervisors while calling for a reorganization of the Hempfield Township Municipal Authority after severe mismanagement was discovered. As Commissioner, she has been a champion of reforming the appointment process of the Westmoreland County Community College Board of Directors and recently proposed a new employee car use policy.

Kim has also fought to promote responsible land use development, encourage economic investment and improve the quality of life in Westmoreland County - all while never increasing the tax burden on the working families of the constituents she serves.

During her campaign for the state Senate, Ward is refusing to accept her salary and benefits from the County. “Even though I am refusing my salary and benefits, I am continuing to fulfill my duties as a county Commissioner,” Ward declared.