Shane Stuart discusses future as Chester County supervisor

Last week marked a historic shift for Chester County. Longtime Supervisor Carlisle Roddey lost re-election to political newcomer Shane Stuart on Tuesday. Roddey, who held the county’s top job on and off for 30 years, lost in a special election that was ordered after state election officials said they discovered irregularities in the November general election. Barring an appeal by Roddey, Stuart is likely to take the oath of office at the March 16 meeting of Chester County Council. Last week, Stuart spoke to The Herald about his plans for the supervisor’s job and the county.

Q: Have you spoken to the members of Chester County Council or other elected officials since your win Tuesday? What’s your working relationship like with them?

A: I’ve been doing some transition stuff, talking with county council members, talking with different municipalities, different mayors, about what’s going on... I’ve touched base with different department heads and councilmen, because that’s who I’m going to be working with. I’ve already introduced myself to all the elected officials in the county. I’ve met (the sheriff) a couple times already, and having worked in law enforcement, I know where he’s coming from. But I have to reach out to all the departments. Some of them were nervous about losing their jobs, because the rumor was I’m going to come in and fire everybody who works at the county right now. Which of course I’m not. I couldn’t do this without the good folks who work at the county now.

Q: You will come into office just before Chester County has to set its annual budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, and you talked about the need to reduce government waste on the campaign trail. How do you plan to handle your first budget as supervisor?

A: The first thing we have to get into is the budget hearing, and making sure Chester County has a well-balanced budget. I couldn’t comment (on specific items) until I’ve seen the full budget, but we need to eliminate waste on anything frivolous. We’ve got to be able to do more with less... But all the other people who have to come up with (figures) and approve the budget are still going to be in place, so not a lot is going to change. I’m not going to come in and rock the boat, come in like a tidal wave. I’ll let them do their job.

Q: Economic development is also a key issue when it comes to attracting new industry and jobs to Chester County. What can the supervisor do to facilitate that process?

A: They’re on track with economic development, with Giti Tire breaking ground here a few weeks ago. What I want people to know is you need to have your WorkKeys (certification) or you’re not going to get hired. The people who make those decisions are on the lookout for those certifications, so you’ve got to get that training.

Q: The Chester Gang Task Force is also meeting to decide how best to tackle gang violence in the county. Would you support more funding for the sheriff’s department, if that’s part of the task force’s recommendation?

A: Councilman Brad Jordan is kind of the lead person on that, so I couldn’t speak to what their recommendations will be. I’ve been on the sidelines of those discussions... (But) if that is their recommendation, I think it will be a benefit to the community to look at that and try to meet that request. But it goes down to money. People are already taxed to the max, and we need to trim where we can... Having a criminal justice background helps, but it’s not just the law enforcement perspective. We also have defense attorneys and prosecutors come and talk about why they need funding. If we just throw people in jail, they’re just going to bond out.

Q: Many voters expressed a hope for change in county government on election day. Have you heard that on the campaign trail? And what can they hope to see now?

A: They’re looking for a partnership. They want to see everybody at the county work with each other. They’re tired of the infighting. That gives us a bad name. It gives us bad press. They’re exhausted with all of the same stuff all the time. Now, I’m a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to fixing that, (but) I want to contribute 110 percent.

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Shane Stuart discusses future as Chester County supervisor."