Old obtains majority vote

BERLIN TWP. — Erie County residents seem happy with the job Matt Old has done as a county commissioner in the last four years. On Tuesday, they re-elected him. The Republican from Berlin Township garnered 63% of the total vote, soundly defeating Democrat Grant Harding, according to unofficial results. "I want to thank the voters for putting their trust in me," Old said. "It is an incredible privilege to serve as county commissioner." Constituents credit Old for his cost-cutting measures to ensure money from taxpayers — the same ones he represents, whether they voted for him or not — isn't wasted. Case in point: Throughout his predecessor's 28-year tenure, Democrat Tom Ferrell approved projects which skyrocketed Erie County's debt by 427 percent between 1988, his first year in office, and 2008, when it peaked to $116 million. After Ferrell opted against re-election, the county's debt continued to shrink, thanks in large part to Old's decisions and his willingness to work with his Democratic counterpart, commissioner Pat Shenigo. Entering 2020, county debt totaled $63 million, the lowest amount owed since 2002, marking a 46 percent decrease from its high 12 years prior. "In the next four years, we will continue to manage the county's finances in a responsible way, pay down debt and make important investments in our community," Old said. On a related note, Shenigo secured his fourth consecutive term in office. He ran unopposed. Erie County's debt began to decrease in 2009, coinciding with Shenigo's first term. When Old began serving in 2017, he's operated in lockstep with Shenigo on these moves, which didn't involve layoffs, service reductions or furloughs until the COVID-19 pandemic struck earlier this year. Erie County commissioner • Matt Old: 23,714 • Grant Harding: 14,009 Note: Unofficial results