May Edition - Newspaper - Page 1
EDITION 10
May 13 2025
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Community News • Serving Washington County
www.theweeklyrecorder.info
Est 1888
Primary Election is Tuesday
May 20th!
Primary Election Review
Controller Race at Top of Ticket
stated, "Is the Controller's
office political? It's not
supposed to be, but with
the recent news articles,
that's what it has
become."
Heather Sheatler, the
Acting County Controller,
has served under former
County Controller April
Sloane. Sheatler assumed
the role when Sloane
resigned last year after
pleading guilty to animal
cruelty charges,
Pat Phillips
The municipal primary
election on May 20 will
determine the party
nominees for various
county, municipal, and
judicial offices, paving
the way for the general
election in the fall.
The most closely watched
contest is the Republican
primary for county
controller, where Pat
Phillips, Brenda
Davis, Tony
Jacob DeLost,
and Heather
Sheatler
compete for the
nomination.
"As the only
auditor in this
race, I believe
my expertise
sets me apart.
This experience is not just
a prerequisite; it's a vital
asset for voters looking
for a county controller
they can trust," stated Pat
Phillips.
With an impressive career
spanning over 30 years in
banking, finance,
regulatory compliance,
and auditing, Phillips has
honed his skills while
working for three Fortune
500 companies.
Tom Vaeth Pg 9
Brenda Davis, the former
county clerk of courts,
has been in the spotlight
due to her legal issues.
She was found guilty of
direct criminal contempt
and received a judge's
sentence that included
imprisonment for a term
ranging from 15 days to
six months, along with a
fine of $5,000.
Several County
Commissioners have
expressed concerns about
Sheatler's job
performance. In a letter
dated March 14, County
Commissioner Chair Nick
Sherman addressed these
issues, particularly
regarding processing
payments to vendors. He
specifically noted that
delays in payments to the
county's health insurance
carrier could jeopardize
their coverage.
Davis' campaign
materials describe her as
a "proven leader with
experience and integrity."
Tony Jacob DeLost is a
former oilfield and
pipeline worker and a
member of the Canon
McMillan School Board.
With no Democrats
running in the controller
primary, it seems likely
that the Republican
primary winner will
secure the seat in
November.
In social media posts, Mr.
DeLost has questioned
the political nature of the
Controller's office. He
Sheriff Tony Andronas
and Recorder of Deeds
Carrie Perrell are both
running unopposed in the
Republican primary and
Investiing in tomorrow’s
leaders Pg 10
Tony Andronas
are not expected to face
Democratic challengers in
the fall.
In the statewide Superior
Court race, Washington
County Judge Brandon
Neuman is the only
Democrat to enter the
contest.
Participating in the
primary election is
essential for shaping local
leadership and policies
that directly affect the
community.
Two notable examples of
this are the contested
Republican primaries in
South Strabane and
Somerset Township.
In South Strabane,
candidates Stephanie
Humensky, Robert
Schuerle, Gaylord Plants,
and Zack Morgan are
vying for a position on
the Board of Supervisors
in this thriving
community.
In Somerset Township,
there are elections for
both a six-year and a
four-year Supervisor
term. The four-year term
candidates include
Stephen Davis,
Paul L. Myers,
and Joseph
Greg Malisky,
while the
candidates for
the six-year
term are David
E. Kearns, Jr.,
Michael J.
Ornot, Jr.,
Stephen Duran,
David Wiltrout,
and Bill Vasko.
Voting in a primary
election helps shape your
party's future, influences
policy, and ensures your
voice is heard. It's your
chance to select the
strongest candidates for
the general election.
Every voter
matters—make a plan to
vote!
Serenity Farms Pg 11
