OP-ED: Commissioners’ track record deserving of recognition
The recent letter to the editor criticizing Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis asks whether Washington County taxpayers are getting a “return on investment.” That’s a fair question. But if we look at the full record of what this board has done in a very short time, the answer is yes.
Take the opioid settlement money. Since September 2024, Washington County has approved four rounds of grants totaling about $4.7 million in opioid settlement funds.
Those dollars have not been sitting idle. In the first round, the county disbursed about $888,806 from the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust to more than a dozen organizations. That included $250,000 to Serenity Farms to support a sober living house, $125,000 to the Washington County Correctional Facility’s medication-assisted treatment program, and nearly $122,000 to Harmony Life Center to hire a center manager – direct investments in treatment, recovery, and support.
In the second round this March, the commissioners unanimously approved $2.69 million in grants to 24 nonprofits and public agencies. Those funds are paying for initiatives such as the “Washington Wellness & Recovery Initiative” at Focus MD, sober living houses, a teen outreach center, after-school programs, school resource officers, and training for law enforcement and 911 leadership. These are exactly the kinds of upstream, prevention-focused investments experts say we need if we want fewer overdoses and stronger families.
This summer, Washington County moved forward with a third round of funding – about $842,617 – that includes $350,000 to establish the Shawn Patrick Recovery House in memory of a young man lost to addiction, along with grants to organizations that support reentry, domestic violence survivors, youth services, and county recovery specialists.
Is the process perfect? No. The Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission has publicly raised concerns about being left out, and that criticism should be taken seriously. But it’s also important to note that Human Services Director John Tamiggi explained in open session that eligible groups submit applications, which are reviewed by a committee before being forwarded to the commissioners for a public vote. And according to reporting on that same dispute, Chairman Nick Sherman spoke with WDAC’s director afterward and expressed his willingness to meet and discuss future applications, while the county emphasized that an independent board reviews the applications each year. That is not “zero transparency”; it’s a process that may need refining, but it is a process.
On public safety, both Sherman and Janis have made the 911 radio system a top priority. Sherman’s official county biography highlights his work advancing a modern 911 radio communications system so emergency calls and first-responder communications are reliable across the county. Janis’ county biography likewise notes her support for upgrading the 911 system and for creating a new Fire Academy and Public Safety Center – investments that directly benefit firefighters, police, EMS, and the residents who depend on them. It’s easy to fixate on past spending missteps from prior boards; it’s harder, but more honest, to acknowledge that this board is trying to finish the job and give first responders the tools they’ve been asking for.
On economic development and blight, the record is equally clear. In March 2024, the commissioners created a Blight Mitigation and Demolition Fund, using American Rescue Plan Act money to tackle derelict properties that drag down neighborhoods and scare off investment. In announcing the program, Sherman called blight “a liability that drains municipal resources and inhibits economic growth,” emphasizing that tearing down these structures is essential to healthier communities and a better quality of life. According to the Redevelopment Authority’s materials, the program leverages roughly $12 million to $13 million in ARPA funds for demolition projects across the county.
One of the most visible examples is the Washington Mall. That property has sat largely empty for over a decade. Under this board, the county is finally moving forward with demolishing the blighted structure and replacing it with new uses, including an RV dealership and additional retail and dining. The project is being supported by the Blight Mitigation and Demolition Fund and is explicitly aimed at creating new economic opportunities. Turning a long-vacant mall into a mixed-use destination that can attract shoppers and jobs is exactly what a “return on investment” looks like in real life.
Much has been made of the Real Estate Expo and the appearance of an HGTV star. The full story matters. Reporting shows the county fronted the star’s $30,000 speaking fee and related costs out of the blight fund, but Sherman has stated that sponsorships and vendor fees were used to reimburse that account, leaving “no cost to the taxpayer or the blight fund.” The same coverage notes that about 75 sponsors and vendors took part and that roughly 1,500 people came through the doors for a day of panels on economic development and local real estate. Reasonable people can disagree on the optics of celebrity speakers, but the idea – pulling investors, lenders, builders, and small businesses into one room to talk about Washington County – was aimed squarely at growth, not vanity.
No elected official is beyond criticism, and it’s healthy to ask tough questions about transparency and priorities. But if we’re going to talk about “return on investment,” we should be honest enough to include the whole balance sheet.
From where I sit, Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis have used a relatively short time in office to tackle blight, modernize emergency communications, and push significant resources into recovery, prevention, and mental health. That’s a record worth debating – but it’s also a record worth recognizing.
Instead of writing them off, maybe we should acknowledge the progress, stay engaged, and keep pushing them to build on it.
Adam Yarussi lives in South Strabane Township.