Letter to the editor: Hempfield's Reese an excellent leader

I am writing in response to a recent political mailer that is from the desk of current Hempfield Township supervisor and former Chairman Douglas Weimer, implying that I and many others have left their township positions as a result of current Chairman George Reese. In my 26 years as a Pennsylvania state trooper and during my tenure at the township, I and every other professional employee I have known have tried to stay out of the political fray. Obviously, I don’t speak for everyone listed on the mailer, but I feel compelled to set the record straight for myself.

First and foremost, I would like to state that my departure from the township was not due to any issues with Reese. Contrary to the implications made by Weimer’s mailer, Reese was an excellent leader who consistently demonstrated a commitment to the safety and well-being of the community that we served. Any suggestion otherwise is simply untrue and unfounded.

Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that the code and safety department under the leadership of Reese has made great strides to make our community safer and more secure, from the implementation of new permitting and complaint tracking software to the purchasing of a mobile office platform to make our mission easier and more efficient. The staff who serve in the township are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to serve our community.

James Shaw

Hempfield