Ron Tedford – 6/30/08

This page was last updated on July 2, 2008.

Home rule study a lose-lose deal; Ron Tedford; Beaver County Times; June 30, 2008.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“The Beaver County Commissioners are nuts to voluntarily put Controller David Rossi’s home rule study question on the ballot.

“That study, if approved by the voters, will cost taxpayers between $75,000 and $100,000. Then, voters may refuse to approve its recommendations.

“Even if implemented, home rule will not provide savings or efficiency. Instead, there will be significant implementation costs. The costs of this home rule study will turn out to be another huge waste. The home rule study is a lose-lose situation for the commissioners and the taxpayers.

“Rossi is the new kid on the block. He hasn’t been around long enough to understand county government, let alone change it for the better. The commissioners should make Rossi and his allies get the 3,000 signatures required to put this question on the ballot so that he alone shoulders the responsibility for the study if it is conducted.

“Then, if significant study costs are incurred and wasted, taxpayers and voters will know to hold him rather than the commissioners responsible for this wasteful political stunt.

“Wake up, commissioners. This is Rossi’s deal. Make him own it.”

[RWC] It sounds like Mr. Tedford has a personal grudge against Mr. Rossi and/or he’s defending row officers (and the potential patronage jobs they provide) who would lose their jobs with home rule. You’ll note Mr. Tedford presents no evidence to support his home rule assertions.