Hempfield Manager Rob Ritson is resigning to become chief of staff to senator-elect Kim Ward, a Republican who will leave her post as Westmoreland County commissioner at the end of the year.

Ritson, 36, is a Democrat. The University of Pittsburgh graduate has served as township manager since 2002. Before joining Hempfield, he served as an aide to Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Balya, a Democrat.

Ritson informed the board of supervisors of his decision Wednesday, Supervisor Doug Weimer said. Supervisor Bob Davidson said Ritson met with employees Thursday afternoon to inform them of his decision.

Ward yesterday outlined her reasons for choosing Ritson.

"Rob and I have worked together six years. He's the manager of the third largest municipality in western Pennsylvania. He fits the position to a tee because of his local experience and contacts. He knows about things my office will have to address. We can hit the ground running with him," Ward said.

Ritson did not responded to requests for comment yesterday.

Weimer said the board immediately will begin searching for a replacement.

"I don't believe the board is uneasy at all," Weimer said about Ritson's resignation.

"We're happy for Rob. We'll be working with him while he's working for the senator. It's advantageous for us, no doubt."

Davidson said Ritson will officially become Ward's chief of staff in early December but will continue working for the township part time to ease the transition, along with assistant manager Lorece Stanton.

Ritson told the board during a meeting Wednesday to plan the 2009 budget.

"Rob has done a good job for Hempfield," Davidson said. "It's a tough job. He has managed to be multitalented. He's knowledgeable."

His successor will need broad experience in municipal government.

"It will have to be somebody who has a good working knowledge of municipal government. We just can't take everybody," Davidson said.

Chairman John Silvis said the board will not hurry the search.

"We have everybody in place," Silvis said. "There's no rush to replace him. We're going to get the best candidate available."

Ritson signed a three-year contract in 2006 that provided annual salary increases of 8.5 percent. He earned nearly $74,000 this year and would have earned nearly $76,000 in 2009.

Ritson and Ward have worked together before. He was manager when Ward was still a township supervisor. She defeated Democrat Tony Bompiani earlier this month to claim the 39th District seat.

Ward succeeds Sen. Robert Regola III, who chose not to seek re-election.

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