Mayor Tom Donaldson

Mayor Tom Donaldson Political opinion, need and commentary. As the former Mayor I still follow city issues and actions. I served 2014-2018.

03/18/2026

As you look at the many videos posted online from moving vehicles if you take a second look you might notice that the video is sometimes being taken by the driver of the vehicle while that person is driving.
Just pointing out the obvious.
Just as obvious are the people holding a phone to their ear while driving or the ones that hold it like a serving platter on speaker phone and think that is different than holding it to your ear.

03/12/2026

With primary elections for county commissioner and other offices looming in the spring it’s time to ask each candidate to address issues pertinent to the office that they seek.

With that said, it’s likely that there will be a large field vying for Butler County Commissioner. After all it pays well, has great benefits and a pension. All in the name of public service. ( meanwhile you can practice nepotism and cronyism to get family and friends first or second careers with benefits and pensions too) .

The candidates for commissioner need to be asked direct and simple questions on their positions on the issues. The candidates need to give straightforward, clear and concise answers to questions!! No political double speak, no political BS non answers and no answer such as “ that’s a hypothetical situation so I can’t comment “. Pay attention because if you don’t you’ll find yourself voting for the wrong person or wrong reasons.

Issues:
Property value reassessment. Way overdue and one no one will want to answer directly.
The ever expanding county workforce and the costs, including legacy costs.
Nepotism, past , present and future. Cronyism, past present and future. Both need thoroughly looked into and permanent solutions set in place.

Both nepotism and cronyism undermine moral of the rest of the workforce and create unfair earnings and promotional advantages for family members and friends . It also undermines the integrity of all involved. It has no place in the workplace.

Out sourcing when feasible.
Realignment of row offices. Elimination where possible. Streamlining county government and lowering costs to taxpayers.
Meeting times set for hours convenient for the average working person to be able to attend without having to take off work.
Meeting locations periodically held at other sites, again for the county residents to better attend.

Another question is to ask how many terms are they really planning on. If more than 1 why?( the answer is the pension!). What do you want to accomplish that would take more than one term.
Also would you eliminate the $5.00 forever fee on vehicle registration??

If you have other things that you think need to be addressed please list in your comments. This is about people paying attention to local issues and trying to get candidates to be open, honest and transparent.

02/27/2026

Nice to see the State Police in the city today pulling over vehicles with expired inspection stickers.

Numerous vehicles up on jacks and Jack stands on lower section of 3rd Street between Carbon and East Jefferson. Expired...
02/24/2026

Numerous vehicles up on jacks and Jack stands on lower section of 3rd Street between Carbon and East Jefferson. Expired inspections others in yards . Trailers on street . Numerous other uninspected vehicles within walking distance. How does enforcement not see this crap. Every vehicle on the street could be immediately cited and cited daily. Plates visible on them so determining ownership and insurance status should be be simple.

Try having crap like this all over Cranberry Township or Butler Township , how long do think they would put up with it? I’m sure that they probably have a few, but not on the scale of all over town like in Butler . Apparently there are people without community pride.

UPDATE 2/26/26

While the mayor has not responded to questions on the matter , Apparently some action has been taken as most of the vehicles have been removed from the street.

02/18/2026

More uninspected vehicles scattered throughout Institute Hill area . One expired since 2021 with child seats in the back and being driven daily, parked on a public street as are several others. Some in backyards as other locations around town. As previously stated in my many years in law enforcement a significant number of uninspected vehicles also have no insurance and expired or suspended registration ,potentially a serious issue , especially if you are in a crash with them.

02/16/2026

Took a 40 minute drive around the island and west end of Butler City just to see the state of streets and abandoned vehicles.

Any city employee with enforcement authority or elected official that may care, should feel free to take a ride with me and I’ll point out the locations to you personally.

There are streets in those areas with critical parking issues also, I was unable to drive through in my personal vehicle. I can guarantee that fire apparatus and ambulances aren’t going to get through either.
Between the vehicles that I saw in traffic and the ones in backyards and on the street I observed 17 vehicles with expired state inspections.

Note , past law enforcement experience tells me that a significant number of vehicles without current state inspection may also have expired registration plates and insurance coverage .

02/14/2026

Hopefully the City of Butler will NOT get into the ambulance business. While public safety and infrastructure are the main concern for government officials, they will be better served to find a legal way to help the private service in the area.

Certain services are money losers not money makers, government is not in the business to make or lose money either.

Additional services always lead to additional costs ( ultimately more taxes) so again I say find a legal way to support the private entity operating the ambulance services.

02/12/2026

As a person drives through the Butler area ,( especially in the city), a person cannot avoid seeing numerous vehicles failing to stop for stop signs and red lights. Turning right on red has a total stop required before turning. People driving like they left late and plan to arrive early anyway. People still playing on their phones while driving,( even-some of the police) . Numerous uninspected vehicles driving daily in traffic and parked along streets. Many of those likely have expired registration plates also. What’s wrong with people? Common sense and safety certainly seem to be missing in a lot of people.

02/07/2026

Well it’s almost two weeks since the start of the big snow event. While most of Main Street and some of the adjoining side streets were cleared of the excess snow the rest of the city still has excess snow in place. Brady Street, a major route to the hospital is one of those streets. Intersections still need all 4 corners cleared in many areas as do the piles of snow along the streets where the residents shoveled out their cars.
If it’s not hauled away from the corners and and pushed away from the curbs and drains, don’t be too surprised if the temperature goes up and we happen to get any significant amount of rain that the resulting ponding and street flooding will be another significant issue.

01/29/2026

Saw a story in the Cranberry Eagle about a few people wanting the county sheriff to stop assisting federal officers working to enforce immigration laws.

I think that our local media should contact each and every municipality in the county and each police agency in the county to get their position on this matter. We should know the mindset of those elected officials and hired officers. If they are afraid to answer ,regardlessof the answer , ( and I’m betting some will be) people should take note and remember in future elections. A straight answer, not some politically correct BS is in order.

Do NOT leave out the school district elected and hired officials either , they also operate as municipal governments.

These same questions should be asked of all elected and hired officials at the state level . We have an absolute right to receive an answer.

I’m sure this will light some hair on fire, but it needs addressed.

01/28/2026

Just back in from a ride around the city of Butler. Good luck if you need emergency services there are many areas that will be nearly impossible to operate fire apparatus or ambulances. Garbage trucks are out but can’t access many areas either.
Excess snow needs loaded and hauled away.
Not video or pictures with this because unlike many others I don’t take pictures while driving and without leaving vehicle in the middle of the street it not happening. Don’t believe me go look for yourself.

Address

Butler, PA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mayor Tom Donaldson posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Mayor Tom Donaldson:

Shortcuts

Share