REPUBLICAN COMMISSIONERS THROW A TEMPER TANTRUM

The two articles that appeared on the front page of the February 21 Observer Reporter need to be read together. The first, was featured in large 24-point type and announced, Seeking Stability. Washington Co. economy topic at annual event. The second, below the fold, was titled, Republican commissioners slam Chamber. Sherman, Janis upset by lack of speaking role at ‘State of the Economy’ event’.

The first piece reported on the sold-out 13^th annual State of the Economy forum at the Hilton Garden Inn, attended by 300 participants. Local corporate and business entities sponsored the event.

Three programs important to the economic health of Washington County were scheduled at the gathering.  First, an overview of the national, regional, and local economic outlook was presented by Russell Mills, Senior Principal and Senior Regional Officer of the Cleveland-Pittsburgh branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. Second, a regional and local energy update was offered by Jim Welty, the President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. Third, the three university/college Presidents most important to Washington County (Pennsylvania Western University, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg University) hosted a roundtable discussion on the future of higher education.

This affair was clearly not one in which local elected officials would be expected to participate. The focus was on providing in-depth information from knowledgeable experts, important to county business leaders. The three commissioners were given honorary invitations to meet with the business community and participate as attendees. Which brings us to the second article, where Sherman and Janis “slammed the Chamber.”

Democrat, Larry Maggi attended the conference. He told the Observer Reporter “We’ve had good relations with the Chamber for years and years. We’ve worked with the business community.”

The two Republican Commissioners, Sherman and Janis did not attend. Instead of networking with business leaders, they huddled together and prepared a scathing statement accusing the Chamber of Commerce of excluding them from the speakers’ platform for political reasons. Janis wrote, “It is hard not to conclude that politics had somehow influenced the decision-making process, which is not in line with the responsibilities and practices that the Chamber should uphold.”

It is difficult to determine exactly what is going on behind the scenes. The two Republican Commissioners and the head of the Chamber, Democrat Jeff Kotula, are not best of friends. However, playing the political card makes no sense when the Democratic Commissioner was also not invited to the head table. Moreover, in my many years in observing local governments, I have never seen elected Republican officials not support the local Chamber of Commerce.

I can only draw one conclusion from this Republican Commissioners’ temper tantrum and over the top response in not being invited to the dais. Since assuming office, Sherman and Janis have colored every issue through a political lens. This immature reaction is the latest example.

Responsible governance is not at the top of the Sherman/Janis agenda. Throwing red meat to local MAGA Republicans is important. (For example, praise Trump and Immigration/Customs Enforcement for picking up a local migrant prisoner. Criticize liberal Allegheny County. Refuse to support the scapegoated local Haitian community in Charleroi.) Getting a pat on the back from state and national Republican leaders is important. (So, change election procedures guaranteeing that technical mistakes on ballot envelopes invalidate the vote.) Rewarding campaign contributors is important. (Invalidate an expensive contract already being implemented to reward campaign contributor Motorola Systems at a cost of millions.)

Giving political hacks plumb county management positions is important. Writing op-ed articles to this newspaper puffing up their MAGA accomplishments is important. Refusing to discuss mismanagement and failed projects that are costing taxpayers is important. (Including decision making on the Russian cyberattack and failure to disclose terms of the Motorola radio contract) Seeking retribution against political opponents is important. (Such as interference with the “non-political” LSA award process to deny funding to the City Mission and its new President, Diana Irey Vaughn.) 

When the above political calculations are considered, the decision to assail the Chamber of Commerce is not such a head scratcher. Sherman and Janis are running a government based on getting MAGA votes, rewarding supporters and attacking those with whom they disagree.

The irony of the present kerfuffle is that when Sherman and Janis were invited to speak at a more critical event last year they refused to attend. On May 14, 2024 the Washington County Bar Association, along with several other organizations, sponsored a public forum at the Southpointe Hilton Garden Inn. The program focused on the contentious national election and voting rights. Sherman and Janis were in important leadership positions to explain election procedures in Washington County, ensure the integrity of the election process and to permit the Elections Office to answer the public’s questions. Instead, they made a political calculation to avoid the forum.

The year before, when Sherman and Janis were running for office, they were invited to participate in the annual election forum sponsored by the League of Women’s Voters. Traditionally, all candidates attend to answer voter questions. Instead, the two were spotted having dinner together at a local church.

There is talk in Republican circles of auditing county operations in which Chamber President, Jeff Kotula is involved. This should prove interesting in that the Republican controller’s office, responsible for audits, has been racked by scandal and still appears in disarray. Stay tuned for the next retribution inspired shoe to drop.