Email To Ms. Kula for Clean Campaigning

Here's an email from 5/17/2006, that I sent to Ms. Kula's campaign email address about keeping "dirty politics" out of this election and requesting to debate her on the issues:

Ms. Deberah Kula:

Congratulations on your primary victory. I look forward to debating you on the issues in the future, so the people can make an educated decision.

I will not play dirty politics and will not bring personal issues or family into this race. I assume that you will agree that there is no place for dirty politics in this race. This is our opportunity to raise the standards in Fayette County politics and I plan to only speak about the issues and/or our records on the issues such as jobs, taxes, campaign finances, etc.

I hope you agree with the above and we can keep old school party politics out of this race.

I look forward to your reply.

Again, Congratulations and Good Luck!

Have A Great Day!!!

William R. Earnesty


I received a receipt for the email, so I know her contact received and opened it, but as of right now, I have not received a reply.

Also, I sent copies to the Herald-Standard and the Daily Courier, just in case they wanted to set up a debate in the future.

I am sure Ms. Kula will reply soon and agree that we should keep this campaign about the issues, so the voters can make an educated and informed decision.

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Fayette County Vietnam Veterans Memorial

My uncle John William Earnesty died in Vietnam in 1966. I never got to meet him, but from what I have heard and read about him, I know that he was a great patriot who loved his country.

He was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Every year about this time the Vietnam Veterans, Inc. of Fayette County hold a 24 hour vigil in Hopwood, PA for the 49 Fayette County men who died and 1 man who is still missing in Vietnam.

I was saddened not to see our state senator, our state representatives or any candidates, except for me there to pay respect to our heroes.

I didn't campaign while I was there, I was there to pay respect to the fallen heroes and to comfort the family members left behind.

As a new member of the Vietnam Veterans, Inc. of Fayette (VVI), I hope that I can help out and be there every year for this great event that these men perform out of the love and respect for their fellow brothers in arms.

I am a very passionate veteran that cries during the National Anthem and during tales of our brave veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

I make no apologies of my passion, but I do apologize that I don't have time to do more for our veterans, dead and alive.

The candlelight vigil on Friday night was fantastic. My 7 year old son and I lit a candle in honor of our uncle.

Today at noon was the closing ceremony and again not a single representative nor candidate, except for me was there to show respect.

I guess it takes a veteran to fight for veterans and that's what I will do whether I am elected to be the next state representative or not.

We must remember our veterans who put their lives on the line for us.

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Penn State Fayette Campus

It was a great Thursday night in Fayette County. The World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers basketball team played some Penn State guys.

Of course, the score ended in a tie 72-72.

There was 6 Steelers who came to play: Louis Lipps (who must be close to 50 by now), Deshea Townsend, Nate Washington, Tyrone Carter, and I am drawing a blank about who the other guys were.

Of course, everyone was disappointed that Big Ben Roethlisberger wasn't there, but that didn't stop the adults from almost stampeding the children to get autographs.

There was an announcement made that the first 3 minutes of the autograph session would be for kids under 10.

I was naive enough to let my 10 and 7 year olds kids to go by their selves to get their jerseys and terrible towels signed.

Of course, there were more adults than children in line and the adults were actually pushing and shoving children out of their way.

It was disgraceful, to say the least, but I think everyone had a good time watching the game.

I know my family had a good time, even with the autograph fiasco.

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!

To each and every person who entrusted me with their vote, I want to say thank you!

I would like to thank everyone that came out to vote on such a terrible cold wet day, whether you voted for me or not...Thank you!

To all of the people who worked the polls for me; Bob Earnesty, Bill Keffer, Cheryl Koontz, Steve Whalen, Allyson Earnesty, Chase Earnesty, Jessica Fields, and Vincent Earnesty.

I wanted to write this earlier, but I work for a living, so I couldn't stay up all night partying like the other winning candidates.

I look forward to knocking on doors and talking and listening to all the people within the district and letting you all know what I stand for, what I am against, and what I will do to strengthen our communities and our schools.

We need a representative that has a stake in making our district stronger.

That stake is the fact that I am not a career politician and that I will not seek to stay in office past 10 years, which means that I will work hard to bring good jobs to our area, so that we will all have a better tomorrow, today!

Now back to my lunch.

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Vote For Earnesty Today!!!

Vote for Earnesty today!

Please be kind to the poll workers, especially my VOLUNTEERS.

All of my poll workers are truly volunteers, they are working the polls for me, because they know that I am the right person for the job.

Other candidates are paying their workers as much as $100 per shift or day.

Some poll workers don't even vote and one guy had no idea who's shirt he was wearing. He said she gave me $100, a shirt, and a box of papers.

What has our great country come to? We buy volunteers who are bought by politicians who are bought by lobbyists.

Not if I am elected! I will never be bought and paid for like the other career politicians that are running for this office.

Please vote today. I would appreciate your vote, but as long as you vote, I will be happy!!!

Until I Am Declared the Winner or Runner-Up...Have A Great Day!!!

Endorsed by the Herald-Standard

I have been endorsed by the Herald-Standard for the Primary election. It was a very good article. They also endorsed Tim Carson, but apparently, it was close between him and Kula.

Tim and I are both Southmoreland Graduates. Good Luck, Tim.

I cut and pasted the article here:

52nd District: Carson for Democrats, Earnesty for GOP
05/14/2006

In the race to succeed retiring James Shaner as state representative in the 52nd District, the Herald-Standard Editorial board endorses Scottdale businessman Tim Carson on the Democratic ticket and William Earnesty, who works for a defense contractor, on the Republican side.
Shaner's retirement has drawn eight Democrats into the primary election, making that the most crowded race in our coverage area. While nearly any of them would have been a welcomed and viable challenger to Shaner two years ago, only one - Mount Pleasant Mayor Gerald Lucia - took that step. In narrowing down the Democratic field to the best candidate for the times, Carson rose to the top of the pack, although former magisterial district judge Deberah Kula had some strong support, even among those who favored Carson.
We like Carson because, as the founder of his own catering company and as a former Scottdale mayor, we think he's attuned to the needs and struggles of working families and local governments. A PACleanSweep approved candidate, he correctly says of the state legislature, "They've lost touch. They live like rock stars." His campaign pledges include not voting for any state budget that doesn't include property tax reform - a novel idea and one that would likely result in solving a perpetually thorny problem if a majority took the same oath.Carson also favors open records and would make his available, a prerequisite for winning our endorsement that should also be one of your voting standards. He strikes us as sincere, honest and well-grounded, and someone who would put the public interest ahead of personal gain.Kula has a 31-year record of public service and makes a very polished presentation. She, too, favors open records and lobbyist reform, and strikes us as being honest and sincere. Although she didn't get a majority of editorial votes, the board slotted her right behind Carson.Also seeking the Democratic nomination are Lucia, Franklin Township supervisor George Bozek, attorney John Lowery, Dunbar Township tax collector Marigrace Butela, former state Rep. Harry Young Cochran and Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed. Each of them has some merit as a candidate, and in any other year could have easily earned our endorsement against Shaner. It's a shame that with the exception of Lucia, none of them was willing to step up to the plate and challenge the incumbent.But in our view, Carson remains the best Democrat to send to Harrisburg, based on his background and strong commitment to change, with Kula a close second.

On the Republican side, Earnesty is our choice over Dr. Richard Grimaldi, the Connellsville dentist who chairs the Fayette County Republican Party. Grimaldi was not able to meet with us; hence, we cannot consider endorsing him.

Earnesty, who also earns points for running against Shaner in the general election two years ago, would clearly bring a working man's perspective to the halls of Harrisburg, which is a good thing.

While we question whether his goals of completely eliminating property taxes and lobbyists are attainable, Earnesty is a man of strong convictions, who correctly notes that he was "a reform candidate before reform was cool."

Earnesty would "cut out all the perks,"including cars and pensions, and wouldn't accept a cost-of-living pay adjustment.

Not only would he make his records open; he vows to come to your house to show them to you if asked. "They will never have to travel to Harrisburg to see my records,"says Earnesty of his constituents.
If that isn't refreshing enough as a philosophy, Earnesty vows to never do anything behind closed doors.

He won't use a state car and wants to limit campaign contributions to within a legislator's own district.

In the area of innovation, Earnesty would give volunteer fire departments a license for a handful of slot machines, letting them keep 50 percent of the proceeds to fund their operations.
That sounds like a workable idea, particularly since the state is giving a lot of heavy hitters the chance to enrich themselves through legalized gambling.

Earnesty favors term limits of 10 years for state representatives, along with an across-the-board property tax Homestead Exemption for everyone, the latter of which seems fair.

The reform-minded former Air Force veteran also wants to cut the legislature in half.

Earnesty's not a party politician, and with the exception of Democrat Lucia and himself, he likens the field to buzzards flying over a carcass.

"It seems like everybody has dollar signs in their eyeballs now that Mr. Shaner's decided to retire,"says Earnesty.

We know for certain that's not the case with Earnesty.

©The Herald Standard 2006

Campaign Finance Report Story in the Herald-Standard

The Herald-Standard did a good story on campaign finance reports of the candidates in the 52nd district.

The H-S tells how much each candidate took in and how much they spent.

But, if you want details and as they say, the truth is in the details, you need to check out the PA Department of State site http://web.dos.state.pa.us/cgi-bin/CampaignFinance/cf_data_srch.cgi

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Good Press from the Herald-Standard

A very good article in the Uniontown Herald-Standard today.

I met with the paper's editorial board and answered questions about everything.

It was a good Q&A. I don't know why Mr. Grimaldi didn't show up, but the editors said they offered to meet with him any time.

Why would you blow off free press? This front page article is worth more than a week's worth of those little ads that all the other candidate's are wasting their friend's money on.

I thought about buying ad space in the papers, but as I was looking through the papers the last few days, I had to purposely look for the campaign ads.

None of them (except for Gary Gearing's) "jumped" out at me, so I think they wasted their money.

I am depending on the people reading the articles and watching the Fayette Civic Forums Candidate's Forum to make an educated vote on Tuesday.

The people of the 52nd District are the smartest voters in Pennsylvania. They can see through the BS and vote intelligently.

The voters know that there is only one candidate with any original ideas and solutions to our property tax problems, bringing good jobs to the area, funding our volunteer fire companies, and fairly funding public education.

Plus, I will do all of the above WITHOUT raising taxes. I will detail the solutions again on Sunday or Monday!

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Another Endorsement

I received another endorsement today!

I am being endorsed by the Pennsylvania Right To Work organization. You can find out more info at www.parighttowork.org.

They are endorsing me because I support voluntary unionism and I am against forced dues shops.

As a former member of a local GMP (glass, molders, plastic workers) union at Crown Cork & Seal, I believe that unions are good when the company is taking advantage of the workers and not following Federal laws.

I believe that all workers should have the right to choose whether they join a union or not.

I strongly believe that workers should get paid and receive raises based on their individual skill level, their quality of work, and how hard they work, not by seniority or other group reasons.

Prevailing wage laws are killing small start up businesses that try to get government contracts.

Prevailing wage laws kill competition. Competition keeps prices down and saves tax dollars.

If we save tax dollars on government projects, we can pass those savings on to the people!

I would appreciate your vote on May 16th!

Together, We Can Build A Better Tomorrow, Today!

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Another Endorsement

I received another endorsement, this one is from Firearms Owners Against Crime.

Once again, I am the only 52nd District Republican to get this endorsement.

Here's a little bit from their website, it states the purpose of their organization:

We aggressively oppose legislators who want to restrict the legitimate use of
firearms, including personal and property protection as guaranteed by the
Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We
accomplish these goals by monitoring and reviewing legislative initiatives and
voting records of elected officials. This information is shared with interested
parties, such as County Sportsmen’s Leagues, the Keystone Firearms Coalition, the
Lehigh Valley Firearms Coalition, PA Gun Owners Association, PA State Camp
Lessees Association and other interested organizations.

You can check out their site here: http://www.foac-pac.org/

We must continue the fight to keep our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms and to protect our families and property.

The other candidates (except Cochran, he is endorsed) must not support this right, which I find absurd, because they have all gone on record supporting hunting.

So, how can we support hunting, but not our right to bear arms?

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Another Thing About the Spring Dinner

I not only me Governor candidate Lynn Swann and Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink, but I also met Republican State Committee candidate Mike Hosier.

I talked to Mike for about 20 minutes and met his wife. He seems like a good guy.

I wish Mike the best of luck!

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Endorsements

As I promised in an earlier post, here is an endorsement that I recently received in the mail.

I am being endorsed by LIFEPAC, a pro-life organization. You can find more info on them at www.lifepac.net.

I am proud to say that I am the ONLY Republican candidate in the 52nd District that is being endorsed by LIFEPAC.

I was also endorsed by LIFEPAC in 2004.

Who better to protect than the unborn?

Imagine how empty our world would have been if some of our great leaders, inventors, athletes, musicians, explorers, or friends would have had their births aborted by their mothers.

Do a simple Google search for famous adopted people and you will see many famous and very talented people were adopted.

Here are just a few: Alexander the Great, Louis Armstrong, Babe Ruth, Johann Sebastian Bach, Daniel Boone, Dean Cain, George Washington Carver, Charlie Chaplin, Eric Clapton, Nat King Cole, Daunte Culpepper, Ted Danson, Eric Dickerson, Bo Diddley, Ella Fitzgerald, President Gerald Ford, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Debbie Harry, Faith Hill, Harry Houdini, Sam Houston, Ice-T, Ivan VI, Andrew Jackson, Stonewall Jackson, Steve Jobs, Rudyard Kipling, John Lennon, Steve McQueen, Herman Melville...this is just a partial list, but I am sure you get the idea.

I just wish that if women know that they don't want the child that they can put the child up for adoption.

Everyone is much better off with adoption. There are thousands of couples that would love to adopt, but can't.

Thank you, LIFEPAC for fighting for the lives of our children!

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Public Service Announcement

Vote William R. Earnesty for State Representative

Paid for by the Candidate

It's campaign finance report time.

I will post them here as they are made available on line. Of course, I will put mine on here.

As a matter of fact, here is what will be on my report:

I spent $100 on the PA Department of State Petition Filing Fee.

I got a $10 donation.

That's called running a campaign on a shoe string budget and not accepting money from political parties or from people/organizations from outside of our district.

I wonder how many candidates accepted donations from people who live outside of the 52nd District?

Don't worry, I will let you know which candidates have been bought when the finance reports are released.

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Candidate Debates on Armstrong Channel 20

Alright everyone!!!

Armstrong called me back with the following info about the Candidates Debate.

It will begin to air starting tomorrow May 2, 2006 at 12:10 PM, 4:10 PM, and 8:10 PM.

I am sure it will be on more than one day.

Remember to tell your friends and family, because this is an important election and everyone needs to educate themselves about the candidates, so they can make an informed decision.

Oh, by the way, I am the handsome looking guy sitting to the left of the podium (from your perspective).

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!

Busy and Exciting Week End

Whooo! What a busy week end!

It all started on Thursday with the Candidate's forum at the State Theater. Like I said, it went very well.

Next, on Friday, it was my daughter's Girl Scout's Annual Father-Daughter Dance at the Connellsville High School.

We had a BLAST!!!

I showed her how to dance old school.

I showed her how to 2 step, how to ballroom dance (my version), how to tango (my version), how to salsa and flamingo dance (as much as I could remember from when I was in Spain), and how to slam and break dance.

And of course, how to slow dance. It was one of the best nights of my life and my daughter had fun, too!

Of course, Saturday was Connellsville's Bicentennial Parade. It was the largest parade and the largest crowd that I have ever seen in Connellsville.

Unfortunately, the mood was ruined, because a couple of candidates couldn't follow the Bicentennial Committee's rules of no political activity during the festivities and the parade.

I saw the Dunbar Township tax collector that has nothing to do with Connellsville.

If she would have studied her Connellsville history, she would have known that the area tax collector during the Whiskey Rebellion had his house burnt down and he was never seen again.

I think his name was Benjamin Wells, if my memory is correct.

Also, I heard the Dunbar Township Tax Collector had a booth on Crawford Ave and had young children with her shirt on running around in the hot sun passing out campaign cards while she sat in the shade.

There are a lot of people that were very upset about that. The way people have been talking, she might have lost a few votes.

How can we expect candidates to follow the state constitution when they can't follow simple rules set up by a festival committee?

On a similar note: Have you all seen the Bozek bumper stickers all over Connellsville?

They are black and yellow and they are every where; on lamp posts, garbage cans, Walmart light poles, and stop signs.

Oh, well, it only takes a few bad apples to ruin a lot of good ones. We will see what this all means on Election Day.

I learned in 2004 that bumper stickers, signs and money doesn't win elections...knocking on doors and talking to the people wins elections.

By the way, if anyone sees my signs or bumper stickers any where they believe they shouldn't be...email me at electearnesty@zoominternet.net and I will take care of it immediately!

Back to my week end...

Then at 1pm, my son had a little league game.

His team (mostly 6-8 yr olds) had to play an older team (mostly 8-9 and maybe a couple 10 yr olds) from tri-town.

I think the tri-town coach purposely held back all the older kids from the minor team, so they could win a couple of games and get some more practice before "moving up". Why can't we just let the kids play?

Then, on Saturday afternoon, it was the Fayette Republican's Spring Dinner with special guest Lynn Swann.

I got to meet and talk to Mr. Swann for about 5-10 minutes. I got my picture taken with him, which I will post here in a few days.

Also, several people approached me and told me how well I did at the candidates forum on Thursday.

Oh, and I finally got to meet Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink.

She's the first good commissioner Fayette has had in my life time.

And unlike Ed Rendell, I don't kiss butt, I only speak the truth!

Oh, and Sunday was my son's little league picture day!

Like I said, I was running all over the place all week end.

Until Next Time...Have A Great Day!!!