Williamson Has High Hopes as Commissioner Candidate

Local businessman Keith Williamson has formally announced his candidacy for the office of Armstrong County Commissioner under the Republican Party ticket.

“I’ve decided to enter the race because of the stagnation of the economic conditions of the county. Major employers such as PPG and Eljer have closed their doors, along with other smaller businesses, and there has been no appreciable influx of new business to replace them. As such, the homeowners of the county have been forced to bear the tax burden from the declining commercial tax base,” Williamson said.

“I am also upset with the commissioner’s decision to relocate the Tourist Bureau, and their decision to award an $800 across-the-board wage increase to every county employee. I’m not against wage increases where warranted, but the decision should have been left to the department managers as part of an employee’s annual review.”

Williamson views the role of county commissioner as “having fiscal managerial responsibility, while promoting the county to attract new business and to encourage existing businesses to expand within the county. Government has never created a job. However it can enhance the conditions needed to attract business and job creation, such as competitive tax policy, quality infrastructure and capitalizing on the strong work ethic within the county.

“The new Armstrong High School will be good for the community, and, long-term, should enhance the education opportunities for the students, while allowing the school district to achieve economies of scale. In addition, Lenape Vo-Tech graduates skilled individuals every year, and we need to keep these people employed and residents of the county.

“Armstrong County throughout the years has become a bedroom community, where people travel to surrounding counties for employment. Just travel Route 28 for a few days and see what I mean.”

As well as education, Williamson strives to promote the county recreational opportunities – like West Virginia has through the Hatfield-McCoy Trail off-road recreational vehicle market, which has been a positive influence for the southern part of the state and generated revenue from lodging, restaurant and food, permit fees and fuel sales.

Since graduating in the fall of 1986 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Williamson said he has worked outside the county in Butler, Allegheny and Lawrence counties, and have established relationships with numerous businesses over the years.

“If elected, I intend to work closely with the other commissioners to contact local businesses, as well as other businesses in Western Pennsylvania to expand and/or relocate to Armstrong County.”

Williamson has owned and operated Williamson Insurance located in Ford City since 2004, and previously served on Worthington Borough Council for six years. He is a member of the Worthington Lions Club, Seneca Lodge 805 F&AM, Alle-Kiski Strong Chamber of Commerce, and Train Collectors of America (TCA).

A 1980 graduate of Kittanning High School, he and his family have resided in Worthington Borough since 1991.