— Several perspectives have appeared in The Tribune-Democrat over the past month regarding congressional redistricting and its effect on our local region.

One of those viewpoints was from the chairwoman of the Cambria County Republican Party, Ann Wilson, and another from Mark Singel, originally from Johnstown, a former lieutenant governor and acting governor during the Casey administration and now a Harrisburg-based businessman.

I know both; they are good people. Both care about our region. I would also suggest that their op-ed pieces were political in nature, took some pot shots and may have had the intention of misleading readers by not providing all the relevant facts.

It is not my intention to correct the record on either opinion. Rather, my purpose in writing is to present another perspective. The congressional redistricting process is complete. As a result, if there was ever a time for our area to come together, that time is now.

Whether you believe redistricting hurt or benefited Cambria and Somerset counties, our area needs to focus on working together for the good of the region and not a political party. 

For the first time in 70 years, without your engagement, our region faces the real possibility that the heart of our congressional district will not be located in Johnstown.

I suspect that if our elected representation comes from Allegheny County or Beaver County, whether a Democrat or Republican, we will be an outsider in our district and last in importance to the Pittsburgh suburbs.

Their needs are much different than our needs. Our voices will be silenced. I’m for Johnstown and Ebensburg; I’m for Windber and Somerset; I’m for Cambria County; I’m for Somerset County! 

This is not the time to be partisan.

There is much work that can and needs to be done. We have an incumbent congressman who understands this area and is working hard for it. Since the day he took office, Rep. Mark Critz has worked to create jobs and better our community. 

He is a member of the House’s Small Business Committee – working specifically on energy, agriculture, trade and research issues that affect our local small businesses. 

Critz is also a member of the Armed Services Committee and understands the role of the local defense contractors at a time when our nation will experience potentially large defense cuts. There are approximately 3,000 people in this region who are directly or indirectly part of our defense industry, and having a local congressman sit on a committee of jurisdiction is incredibly helpful.

Critz also co-chairs the House Marcellus Shale Caucus. Marcellus Shale gas extraction will be one of the biggest economic development opportunities in our region for the next 100 years. 

With Congressman Critz, we have a person representing our interests; that is, a person at the table fighting for our industries and people, present and future.

If Critz is not in office, these important positions will not be occupied by his successor. 

We will lose our voice at those tables, too.

Over the next three months, and into November, our real focus should be on supporting and electing a congressman who will diligently represent this district and our region with the attention, knowledge and understanding that it deserves, not whether he is a Republican or Democrat.

If we spend our time, energy and resources on party politics, we all will lose.

You will hear from politicos in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., on both sides of the aisle, trying to influence your vote and voice. Ignore them.

They don’t care about us.

They care about numbers; they want to win the big election, they want numbers in their column – not the other party’s.

Ignore them.

We cannot afford to be complacent, not as a nation, a state or as citizens of this region.

If you need to register to vote, do so.

If you have never voted, do so this year.

If you have never made a contribution to a campaign, make one now, no matter how small.

And if you have never knocked on doors or made phone calls, get involved and volunteer. 

The hard work and expense of a successful campaign cannot be shouldered by a few. 

Get engaged to save our region’s voice.

By the way, I am a registered Republican and I support Democrat Mark Critz because he represents the values of a majority of this region (e.g., he supports pro-life and pro-gun policies).

He serves on committees that are important to this region.

He cares about us, lives among us and works hard for us.



Edward Sheehan is president and CEO of Concurrent Technologies Corp., Richland Township, and a volunteer with numerous community organizations. This column is not intended to reflect the opinions of the company or its employees.

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