* The Erie Times-News Editorial Board strongly endorses Kathy Dahlkemper, the Democratic incumbent, over Republican nominee Art Oligeri. Dahlkemper can point to an impressive list of achievements over the past four years, and clearly outpaces her opponent in terms of mastery of county operations and issues, vision for the region’s future, and positioning the county for the economic and educational challenges ahead.
* Dahlkemper’s achievements, some of which took political courage, include the countywide emergency radio system overhaul, which at last report was more than $3 million under budget; instituting a coherent new county pay matrix after decades of manipulation and inequities; an integrated and more secure county information technology system; revamping the county’s planning department into a regional force; and the evolution of the Blasco Library into a resource aimed at fanning entrepreneurial sparks.
* When then-Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams was making a forceful case for fair funding from the state for Erie’s public schools, Dahlkemper was a visible and vocal advocate. She also convened the region’s educators and legislators around a search for solutions to the Erie School District’s financial crisis. Dahlkemper’s case for re-election is strong in its own right. Her opponent offers little to counter it.
Erie Times-News: Editorial Board: Dahlkemper is best choice to lead Erie County
The Erie Times-News Editorial Board strongly endorses Kathy Dahlkemper, the Democratic incumbent, over Republican nominee Art Oligeri.
The previous three Erie County executives served only one term, with one bowing out and two being given the hook by their constituents. It would behoove the county’s voters to interrupt that pattern on Nov. 7.
The Erie Times-News Editorial Board strongly endorses Kathy Dahlkemper, the Democratic incumbent, over Republican nominee Art Oligeri. Dahlkemper can point to an impressive list of achievements over the past four years, and clearly outpaces her opponent in terms of mastery of county operations and issues, vision for the region’s future, and positioning the county for the economic and educational challenges ahead.
Dahlkemper’s achievements, some of which took political courage, include the countywide emergency radio system overhaul, which at last report was more than $3 million under budget; instituting a coherent new county pay matrix after decades of manipulation and inequities; an integrated and more secure county information technology system; revamping the county’s planning department into a regional force; and the evolution of the Blasco Library into a resource aimed at fanning entrepreneurial sparks.
She has also established a record for sound, steady management of the sprawling county bureaucracy. She and her team have made headway in tightening down county operations, including more stringent purchasing procedures.
Dahlkemper, 59, also has delivered on her pledge to be a force for regional unity and cooperation, taking a high-profile role as a public champion for Erie and the region outside of her core duties. That has been especially welcome as key players in the region, public and private, have coalesced around a collaborative vision for moving forward.
When then-Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams was making a forceful case for fair funding from the state for Erie’s public schools, Dahlkemper was a visible and vocal advocate. She also convened the region’s educators and legislators around a search for solutions to the Erie School District’s financial crisis.
Dahlkemper’s case for re-election is strong in its own right. Her opponent offers little to counter it.
Oligeri, 65, managing partner of Meeker Marshall Shoe Fly in Summit Township, emphasizes that Erie County needs business experience at the helm, but offers only a vague sense of how he would apply it.
In public statements and an extensive interview with the Editorial Board, Oligeri demonstrated a sketchy knowledge of county operations and only the broad outlines of an agenda. He seems most intent on selling his own persona and depicting himself as the anti-Dahlkemper.
That includes putting considerable energy into criticizing the incumbent in ways that don’t rise much above innuendo, if at all. That might be politically effective in these polarized times — especially among voters still carrying a grudge from Dahlkemper’s time in Congress — but it’s not the sort of leadership the county needs at this pivotal moment.
Read the endorsement here.