Jim Roddey
Encyclopedia
James C. "Jim" Roddey is a Pennsylvania
businessman and politician
best known as the former (and first) Chief Executive
of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
, from 2000 to 2004.
He is also a former United States Marine. Following his time as Chief Executive, he became an appointed member of Pittsburgh's
fiscal oversight board (Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
), but resigned in February 2005. He is a Republican
and currently serves as the chair of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County.
Jim Roddey is originally from Asheville, North Carolina
. He graduated from Texas Christian University
in Fort Worth, Texas
with a degree in Speech. Roddey moved to Pittsburgh in 1979.
During his extensive business life he served on the boards of many companies and organizations, including Turner Communication Corp, Rollins Communication Corp, and others. He is the Emeritus Trustee of the University of Pittsburgh
and has received three honorary doctorates from various institutions. Although new to Pittsburgh he was appointed by Democrats to a number of influential positions including Port Authority of Allegheny County, of which he became Chairman, the Pittsburgh Water Authority, and the Allegheny Coutny Sanitary Authority, of which he also because Chairman. In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Republicans in Pennsylvania.
Roddey once was the head of the company Wexford Health Sources
.
) to a new system composed of a single Chief Executive and a 15-member County Council
.
Roddey argued along with the commissioners that this would more evenly distribute representation as the previous system tended to have commissioners predominantly from Pittsburgh
, rather than other towns and communities in the county. (Pittsburgh is the county seat
and by far the largest population center in the county, but still with only 26% of the county population in the city-proper.)
In 1999, the first election was held for the new Chief Executive and County Council. Roddey won his race against Democrat (and "celebrity" coroner
) Cyril Wecht
, although Democrats won the majority of the seats on the new Council. This led to friction during his term in office.
During his term, Roddey implemented a property reassessment begun by the former commissioners to reverse the county's financial situation. This increased the value of many homes in the county by 5%-- a legal maximum. This increase in tax revenue was not popular, but it did succeed in creating new operating revenue.
In 2003, Roddey ran for reelection but lost to Dan Onorato
. In interviews, he credits the re-assessments as leading to his decline in popularity.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
businessman and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
best known as the former (and first) Chief Executive
County executive
A county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
, from 2000 to 2004.
He is also a former United States Marine. Following his time as Chief Executive, he became an appointed member of Pittsburgh's
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
fiscal oversight board (Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority
The Pittsburgh Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority is a special administrative body created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to oversee the finances of the City of Pittsburgh.The Pittsburgh ICA was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly though the Intergovernmental...
), but resigned in February 2005. He is a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
and currently serves as the chair of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County.
Jim Roddey is originally from Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. He graduated from Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
with a degree in Speech. Roddey moved to Pittsburgh in 1979.
During his extensive business life he served on the boards of many companies and organizations, including Turner Communication Corp, Rollins Communication Corp, and others. He is the Emeritus Trustee of the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
and has received three honorary doctorates from various institutions. Although new to Pittsburgh he was appointed by Democrats to a number of influential positions including Port Authority of Allegheny County, of which he became Chairman, the Pittsburgh Water Authority, and the Allegheny Coutny Sanitary Authority, of which he also because Chairman. In 2010, Politics Magazine named him one of the most influential Republicans in Pennsylvania.
Roddey once was the head of the company Wexford Health Sources
Wexford Health Sources
Wexford Health Sources, Inc. is a healthcare services company headquartered in Foster Plaza Two in Green Tree, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.The Mississippi Department of Corrections contracts with Wexford, and Wexford provides medical services to inmates at state-operated facilities...
.
County Executive
Prior to 2000, Allegheny County was governed by a group of three commissioners. In 1998, Roddey was appointed by the commissioners to manage a successful campaign (also initiated by the county commissioners) to replace that system (via a referendumReferendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
) to a new system composed of a single Chief Executive and a 15-member County Council
County council
A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
.
Roddey argued along with the commissioners that this would more evenly distribute representation as the previous system tended to have commissioners predominantly from Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, rather than other towns and communities in the county. (Pittsburgh is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and by far the largest population center in the county, but still with only 26% of the county population in the city-proper.)
In 1999, the first election was held for the new Chief Executive and County Council. Roddey won his race against Democrat (and "celebrity" coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
) Cyril Wecht
Cyril Wecht
Dr. Cyril Harrison Wecht is an American forensic pathologist. He has been a consultant in numerous high-profile cases, but is perhaps best known for his criticism of the Warren Commission's findings concerning the assassination of John F...
, although Democrats won the majority of the seats on the new Council. This led to friction during his term in office.
During his term, Roddey implemented a property reassessment begun by the former commissioners to reverse the county's financial situation. This increased the value of many homes in the county by 5%-- a legal maximum. This increase in tax revenue was not popular, but it did succeed in creating new operating revenue.
In 2003, Roddey ran for reelection but lost to Dan Onorato
Dan Onorato
Daniel "Dan" Onorato is the current Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Onorato won a crowded four-way primary to become the Democratic nominee for governor...
. In interviews, he credits the re-assessments as leading to his decline in popularity.
External links
- The two lives of Jim Roddey, Pittsburgh Business Times. August 28, 1998.
- Roddey leaves lasting impact, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. November 9, 2003.
- James Roddy's entry in the ProgressPittsburgh database