York Countians for Susan Byrnes 745 Witmer Road York, PA 17402
My Story
Meet
I’m a York County Girl. Daughter of Charlie and Gussie Petron, I am one of seven children raised in a little house on Cherry Street in Spry. A graduate of York Catholic High and St. Agnes Hospital Nursing School in Baltimore, I began my nursing career in the Emergency Department of Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C. Soon thereafter, I moved to Dayton, Ohio where my high school sweetheart, Randy Byrnes, was completing his final year at the University of Dayton. We were married eleven months later. We gladly returned to York in 1974, each beginning our professional careers in the community that would be our home for the next forty years. Randy built a staffing company, The BYRNES Group, and I worked in the Emergency Department at York Hospital until we began our family. With the birth of our first child, Katie in 1978, I redirected my energies from emergency nursing to raising a family. Daughter Kristy was born sixteen months later, followed by our son Dan eighteen months after that.
Candidate for York County Commissioner
We were a very typical York family; however our lives were changed forever by the unexpected death of my mother-in-law, Yvonne Byrnes, at the age of 60. Her premature death became the inspiration for me to begin a journey that would change my life. In my book, Giving from the Heart: A true story of how one woman’s tragedy inspired a community; I describe the impact of this transformative event: “The day after (Yvonne’s) death... I cried... tears of anger and intense sadness. My anger arose because I felt as a nurse I had failed my mother-in-law by not inspiring her to make healthy choices; my sadness because our family had lost our beloved Mom-Mom... I made a new life goal: keeping people well...”
www.Byrnes4York.com If you would like to support my campaign by placing a yard sign, making a financial contribution or lending your name as a supporter, please contact me at:
Your vote matters on May 19th!
With that experience and appreciation, I ask for your support and vote for my Renewed Vision for York this May 19th.
Byrnes4York@gmail.com
My experience as the Founder of the Byrnes Health Education Center connected me with so many wonderful and generous people in our community. As a social entrepreneur and community leader in organizations such as the Byrnes HEC, the Veterans Memorial Gold Star Healing & Peace Garden and the York County Veterans Outreach I have a deep appreciation for what is possible with sound leadership and collaboration in the York County we call home.
Paid for by York Countians for Susan Byrnes
With that conviction, in 1988 I shifted my professional emphasis from treatment to prevention. What followed was an incredible, twenty-six year journey from a grieving daughter-in-law and nurse to the realization of the Byrnes Health Education Center. Today, the Byrnes HEC is inspiring and educating people of all ages to make healthy lifestyle choices.
✓ Susan P. Byrnes Susan P. Byrnes, R.N.
The Job of a York County Commissioner ◊ York County Board of Commissioners is comprised of 3 Commissioners who serve a 4 year term as the legislative and administrative body of York County Government.
A RENEWED VISION for YORK COUNTY Twenty-six years ago I saw a need in our community for an emphasis on health education in our schools and businesses and I acted on those needs. Today, I see a need for full-time, fully-engaged leadership in the role of York County Commissioner and I am acting on that need. It is time to challenge business-as-usual and introduce a Renewed Vision of Collaboration and Leadership in York County Government. Three areas that I believe hold some of the greatest potential in our County Government are:
◊ Administrative responsibilities include: County Administration, Health & Human Services, Courts & Criminal Justice, Voting and Elections, Property & Taxes, Emergency Services and Parks & Recreation. ◊ The Commissioners are responsible for approving the county’s annual budget and providing oversight of county programs and employees.
The projected budget for 2015 is more than $480,000,000.00
Public Safety & Human Services
Increased Fiscal Efficiency With 2,700+ employees in 48 departments, we have a tremendous opportunity with revitalized, committed leadership to unleash the creativity and York County work ethic that I know exists in our workforce. Let’s ask the people who are providing these vital services where improvements can be made; how their jobs can be more effective; where are the gaps and inefficiencies? Then let’s act on those ideas.
Aging & Veterans Population
Public Safety includes the 911 Response and Emergency Management Systems. Human Services include providers as diverse as our Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Children & Youth services and our Mental Health Services personnel. An example of the power of local collaboration is the outstanding effort by concerned citizens throughout our county to the heroin problems facing our community.
In concert with the Human Services efforts, we must also respond with thoughtful planning to the changing demographics of an increasingly aging population. These issues can be addressed with compassion and sound leadership. Veterans are another segment of our community who are fiercely independent and reluctant to ask for assistance yet deserve our active engagement in serving them.
The capacity to improve lives and make dreams possible is within our capabilities. I experienced it with the Health Education Center 26 years ago and I will bring that same spirit to bear in our county government by blending a lead-by-example initiative with a home-grown York County work ethic.
“Over the past several years, it has been my sincere pleasure to know and work with Susie Byrnes. During those times she has demonstrated strong leadership and management skills which in the end have benefited both veterans and their families.” Barre Sheppe (Mentor Coordinator, York County Veterans Treatment Court)
York County’s population is just over 430,000 $480,000,000 / 430,000 = $1,116 per person
York County’s government employs over 2,700 people, with 72% covered by collective bargaining contracts. The government consists of 48 departments including 10 separately elected Row Officers and the Court of Common Pleas with 15 judges. Source: www.yorkcountypa.gov and www.yorkcountypa.gov/county-administration/budget-and-finance
“I have had the pleasure of serving 7 years and counting on the Board of Directors at the Byrnes Health Education Center and playing a small role in carrying out Susie’s mission. Determination, integrity and delivered results all come together in this woman. I am so proud to be associated with our soon to be next York County Commissioner.” Mary Ellen Heim Martin (Owner of FarmtoFreezer and Byrnes HEC Advisory Board) “We’ve known and admired Susan’s abilities since the inception of the Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center. She’s authentic, caring and there’s no one who would be more passionate or dedicated to the fostering of the public welfare of her beloved York County. Her background of leadership and experience easily prove her to be uniquely qualified for this endeavor. We say, “Go Susie! Thank you for not resting on your laurels when you so easily could!” Nona & Stan Brown (Brown’s Orchard & Farm Market)
Leadership. Collaboration. Compassion.