Ward neglecting duties? Depends whom you ask

Reaction to Democratic state Senate candidate Tony Bompiani's accusation Tuesday that his opponent and Westmoreland County Commissioner Kim Ward has neglected constituents while running for a new office was split along party lines between two local politicos.

Bompiani's campaign said Ward, who became commissioner 10 months ago, has attended all her meetings but has not logged the necessary work away from the office. It's a criticism Ward denies, saying Bompiani is simply trying to distract voters in the 39th Senatorial District from the campaign's real issues.

But Bompiani's accusation was supported by Ward's colleague, Democratic Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Balya.

"In reality, she's only been in her job as county commissioner a little over 9 months now, and frankly, has shown very little interest in learning the details of how county government works," Balya told PolitickerPA.com.

Balya is far from an impartial observer, but his criticism was not measured.

Asked how he would grade Ward's performance as a county commissioner, Balya said "D minus."

"And I'd probably be giving her that even if she wasn't running," he said. "Frankly, Kim is very ambitious, but she hasn't shown the aptitude to learn or the willingness to learn."

Balya's portrait of Ward sharply contrasts with the one offered by Westmoreland County GOP Chairman George Dunbar, who helped recruit her to fill state Sen. Bob Regola's (R-Westmoreland County) role after he had to step down from his campaign.

Ward always works hard for GOP candidates, he said, but this year has been different.

"She's letting others take the lead in the McCain campaign," Dunbar said.

He said Westmoreland's other two commissioners, including Balya, have altered public schedules to make them coincide with Democratic presidential ticket campaign events -- but not Ward.

"Everything I know is she's at the county courthouse all the time," he said. "She's always there, always working. I don't know where Mr. Bompiani is getting his information from."

See also on PolitickerPA.com:

• In Westmoreland County, Bompiani calls for Ward to step down from McCain campaign