Ward for Commissioner

WCCC - Plan for Removing Political Influence.

kimward — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:25:18 +0000

Let me begin by saying I’m in favor of public ratification of hires at WCCC. What I’m not in favor of is using WCCC as a venue for patronage.

Because the perceived political influence at WCCC is caused by the replacement of four board members who disagreed with my colleagues on the hiring practices, it makes sense to re-evaluate how trustees are appointed. In order for the trustees to be truly independent as WCCC members, they need to be truly independent of outside influence. Four former members were replaced with others who, although all very good people, have some type of dependence on the decisions made by the county commissioners for income or benefits. Maybe they will be independent, but I have strong doubts about that. I hope I’m wrong.

This plan doesn’t cut the Commissioners out, we would still appoint the trustees, but in a much more limited spectrum.

Below is my preliminary plan. It may not be perfect but atleast it’s a start.

I        No board member may be an employee of Westmoreland County or the Community College, an employee or principal of an organization which is a recipient of county or college business, or a relative of a County Commissioner or the President of the college.

II       Seats shall consist of 11 designated seats and 4 at large seats
          i.        Five seats to be rotated between the President or his/her designee of the 20 largest employers operating within Westmoreland County
          ii.        Chamber of Commerce President
         iii.        Private Industry Council Representative
         iv.        Financial Institution Representative to be rotated by term.
          v.        Governor’s office
         vi.        Two Administrators from school districts within Westmoreland County to be replaced with two different administrators each term.
        vii.    Four at large appointments to be filled by the County Commissioners. One slot may be filled by a County Commissioner him/herself if so deemed.

III Terms shall remain six years with all appointments limited to one term.

kimward — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:29:21 +0000

Ward seeks revamp of

WCCC Board

TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - Westmoreland County Commissioner Kim Ward on Monday said a revamped community college board of trustees would eliminate political concerns jeopardizing the school’s accreditation. Her plan, announced yesterday, calls for creating a 15-member board that has only one direct tie to government officials and bars any county worker from serving as a school trustee. “My goal is making a board that is clearly not made up of people indebted to the county commissioners. That takes the politics out of it,” Ward said.

WCCC President Steven Ender has accused Democratic commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso of exerting political influence to have their friends and supporters placed in jobs at the school. The commissioners have denied the allegations and in turn accused Ender of manufacturing those claims as part of an effort to seize more power at the school.

Allegations of political influence by the county commissioners at the school has put the college’s accreditation at risk. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the regional accreditation agency, in June ordered college and county officials to devise a plan to guard against political influence. That plan must be forwarded to the accreditation agency by Sept. 1.

Commissioners will hold a private meeting Wednesday morning with Middle States representatives, then will meet again behind closed doors with Ender and the school’s trustees later in the afternoon. Ward said she will formally pitch her plan at those sessions and again lobbied for the afternoon joint meeting to be open to the public. “It would resolve any questions whether there is political influence on the board.” Ward said of her proposal.

Her plan calls for the creation of a new 15-member board of trustees. Five members would be presidents of the 20 largest employers in Westmoreland County. Other members would include the president of a local chamber of commerce, one representative each from the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette and a financial institution, two administrators from local school districts and a trustee appointed by the governor.

Four other at-large spots would be appointed by county commissioners. One commissioner would be eligible to serve as a trustee under the Ward proposal.

None of the appointed trustees could be county workers or a top official with a company or business that does business with the county or the college.

“This plan isn’t perfect, but at least it’s a start in the effort to bring everyone together so that we may move on for the good of the college,” Ward said.

Balya and Ender declined to comment about the proposal. Ceraso could not be reached for comment.

All 15 members of the college’s board of trustees are currently appointed by county commissioners to six-year terms.

In May, Balya and Ceraso appointed four new trustees to replace board members whose terms had expired. Those appointments came as controversy swirled over hiring practices at the school.

A month earlier, all three commissioners voted to authorize college trustees to approve all hires at the school, a proposal Ward has since backed away from. Ender, meanwhile, said the existing policy in which board members ratify all salaried employees potentially put the school’s accreditation at risk.

Commissioners contended the hiring change would allow greater access to see how the public’s money is spent at WCCC. The county gives the college more than $4 million in annual subsidies.

Rich Cholodofsky can be reached at rcholodofsky@tribweb.com or

WCCC. Whatever it takes.

kimward — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:37:33 +0000

In the Trib article today, July 15, the reporter stated that I, along with my colleagues, have denied trying to put political influence on WCCC and that we would meet with Middle State Commission on Higher Education to make that case. He cast an awfully wide net when he included me in that statement because I have no intention of presenting any such case. I look forward to meeting with Middle States and, as I have said in previous stories, am willing to do whatever is necessary for the continued success of our Commmunity College. To do anything other than that would be dereliction of duty in my book.

At the end of the day, no one wants the school to lose it’s accreditation so all parties will work together toward a resolution to ensure that it stays intact.

Photos from the 4th of July

kimward — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:18:28 +0000

The streets in Latrobe were packed with folks watching the parade, and it was a big parade!

And the the Heritage Festival at Twin Lakes….

Westmoreland Heritage Trail - Ribbon Cutting

kimward — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:24:44 +0000

The ribbon cutting for the Westmoreland Heritage Trail was held on Saturday, June 21. The beginning of the trail is located off of the parking lot of the Slickville Fire Company, and on Saturday, that lot was full of people who came to be part of the kick off. The trail is a project of the Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation and will eventually span 19 miles, but this first segment extends from Slickville to Saltsburg. Once again, the folks helping with the Westmoreland County parks projects proved that their work makes a positive impact on the quality of life in our county.

There were over 100 people in attendance who hit the trail immediately after the ribbon cutting with their bikes or walking shoes. It was a beautiful day!

Smoke Free Day at Idlewild

kimward — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:31:28 +0000

On Friday, June 19, I was invited to to attend the Smoke Free day at Idlewild. There were approximately 200 volunteers manning tables and spreading the word about the dangers of tobacco use. Of all of the numerous community service activities the 4H takes part in, trying to stop young people from smoking is probably the one with the longest ranging effect.

There were smoke free posters and t-shirts everywhere! What a great time and I still think the Scrambler is the best part of Idlewild!

Cool Valley Baseball Field Ribbon Cutting

kimward — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:29:52 +0000

Last evening, June 20, I was invited to participate in the ribbon cutting for the baseball field at Cool Valley Playground in Hempfield Township. Rick Repasky contacted me last year about what they were trying to do, and Hempfield Township officials and the Community Foundation immediately “went to bat” on their behalf. It’s our job as officials to help where we are able, but the leadership of the community, parents and folks like Rick to complete this type of endeavor is an even more important factor.

It was great seeing the excitement of the kids and parents alike. Upon arrival there were volunteer firefighters directing cars into the lot, and then we were treated to a major league program by Joe Lutz in which he obviously spent a lot of time putting together. There was the national anthem, the audio clips from old baseball games, everyone sang “Take me out to the Ballgame”, the ribbon cutting, the first pitch and an invocation by Pastor Bob Ross.

Having a baseball field right in the middle of a community where kids can go and play pick up games, as well as league games, means a lot. When we moved into our home 20 years ago my husband put a baseball field on our property. We didn’t have furniture, but we had a baseball field! Our sons and the kids from all over the neighborhood spent hours and hours on that field. Seeing the excitement of the kids at Cool Valley last evening sends a tinge of guilt through me for complaining about picking up all of the empty cups at the end of those long hot summer days when our now empty baseball field was full of boys.

Manor Lions Club

kimward — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:11:05 +0000

On Saturday I attended the “Duck Races” and picnic sponsored by the Manor Lions Club. It rained and rained and rained, but it was still a very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. The club supports the local food banks and other community causes through their numerous projects and fundraisers every year.

The Manor Lion’s Club fills an important mission of providing necessary help and funding for so many people. And, they do it with such great spirit.

Stop the Energy Madness!

kimward — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:43:22 +0000

Congressman Tim Murphy is taking a lead role in fixing the energy emergency. Click the link below and sign his petition to stop the energy madness by forcing House Leadership to lower gas prices and expand America’s oil supply.

Click here.

Peach Plaza Ribbon Cutting.

kimward — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 02:22:43 +0000

After much planning and work the ribbon cutting for Westmoreland County’s Peach Plaza Skate Park was held on Saturday, June 7. It was a beautiful day and the event was well attended by skate enthusiasts, committee members, park employees, scouts and the Peach family. What a wonderful gift Mr. Peach gave in memory of his beloved wife. Skaters and their families will thank him for years to come, and everyone who visits the park will see a beautiful rememberence of Joyce Peach.