In government circles, the theory is that if everyone is slightly unhappy over a controversial decision, the decision is probably OK. That decision is usually some sort of compromise, which gives everyone something, but not all they want.
Unfortunately, that is not what is happening with the O’Gara decision now on its way to reality in Westmoreland County. When the Industrial Development Authority voted Monday evening to enter into a sale of the shell building in Westmoreland’s industrial park to O’Gara, members of the IDA left attendees at their meeting feeling frustrated, used and abused. Reading between the lines of the letter on this page from IDA member Paul Tsompanos, members of the IDA also felt frustrated, used and abused with the proceedings.
IDA members are appointees of the Westmoreland Board of Supervisors. They are the ones taking the heat for supervisors, who, at least up until now, have not had to deal with the backlash for what is obviously a contract Westmoreland intends to pursue to its conclusion. They are the ones who are making the decisions about the future of Westmoreland, something usually reserved to elected officials.
Looking at the letter from Diana Fite, who has been silent until now, there are many in the county who also feel frustrated, used and abused — not just those who have been out in front objecting to the entire O’Gara proposal.

Fite’s letter really gets to the essence of the issue. Unfortunately for residents and government alike, the county has taken the position that if the public doesn’t know much of what is going on, they have few tools with which to complain to the elected and appointed officials. The video of Monday evening’s meeting, which is on The Journal’s Web site at www.journalpress.com, is evidence of that, as is the letter from WCCA President Kennon Morris. Morris says, “The WCCA has tried numerous times over the last year and a half to get questions answered by the BOS with very little success.”
Fite’s letter states “our county officials, whether they be elected, appointed or employed seem incapable, unwilling and/or unable to do one simple thing — make relevant information available to the public.”
We are not suggesting the county and its supervisors change their ways. If the past is a predictor of the future, that is not going to happen. What we do suggest is that O’Gara has gotten a bum rap from the county. People want to know more about the company, but that is not the path the county has chosen for it to take. As Fite suggests in her letter: “If we all have the full story on why O’Gara will be so good for us all, we can then take sides and have some productive and honest discussions from a basis of knowledge.  Wouldn’t that be refreshing?”
We have suggested to O’Gara’s President James Noe that he come out and let the people know more about him and his company. To his credit, he was at Thursday’s meeting and though he did not speak, he was there.
We believe he should set up a time and place where he can show some of his gear, class books and other paraphernalia so people can come in and take a look and talk with some of his people. Sure, there may be some enthusiastic participants, but what the people really want to have is an opportunity to be treated with intelligent respect, something that has been lacking.
Don’t forget that this is America’s First District, where the real patriots of this country were born. It’s time for O’Gara to be given an opportunity to meet with the local people in a less controversial setting than has been afforded up to the present time and meet the local people. We suspect they all want what is best for this country, the residents and the O’Gara  group alike. Patriotism is alive and well in Westmoreland.