Candidates announce election platforms at chamber breakfast

Mark Gilger

Apr. 23, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- PAXINOS -- A political atmosphere was present Tuesday morning at Masser's Restaurant, where candidates seeking county or municipal office in the May 19 primary election outlined their campaigns to members of Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce during a "Meet the Candidate" breakfast sponsored by The News-Item.

Chamber Director Sandy Winhofer, who introduced each candidate, said 46 people seeking office in Northumberland County were invited to participate in Tuesday's event, but only 10 were able to attend.

Longtime county Controller Charles "Chuck" Erdman of Northumberland, who is running unopposed, served as the first speaker.

The chief financial officer for the county talked about his responsibilities, which include auditing and providing financial advice to the three county commissioners on various issues, the most important being the annual budget.

Erdman, a Republican seeking his fourth term, said the county faces some serious challenges, including wage increases, pension plan payments (which are often not needed, but will total $2 million in 2009 because of the downturn in the stock market) and a 133-year-old prison that has a growing population.

"We must operate a more efficient and effective county government and utilize technology better," Erdman said. "We need to decrease the footprint of county government."

The controller said he believes some county services could be operated better by the private sector.

Prothonotary

County Prothonotary and Clerk of the Courts Kathleen Wolfe-Strausser, of Elysburg, who was appointed to the position in 2006 following the death of longtime predecessor Suzanne Vastine-Smith before winning the 2007 election, talked about her family's political background and her own experience in the banking profession prior to her employment at the prothonotary's office, which began in 1981.

The Republican prothonotary is a daughter of the late Russell Wolfe, who served four terms as county sheriff.

The lifelong county resident said she still recalls a slogan from her high school graduation ceremony that stated, "Today we are led. Tomorrow we lead." She said all political office holders must be strong leaders.

Meg Bartos of Mount Carmel, also running for prothonotary, talked about her dedication and volunteer efforts on behalf of the advancement of Northumberland County, the region and its citizens.

She has 20 years experience in the Pennsylvania court system at the magistrate, county, state and federal levels, and is a former district attorney legal assistant. Bartos also is a registered paralegal and former legal researcher for private law firms.

She is a volunteer with various community projects in Mount Carmel and serves as director of Mount Carmel Downtown Inc. She is also part of the Lower Anthracite Heritage Trail Committee and Regional Recreation Commission for the Lower Anthracite Region.

She talked about accessing court documents more quickly and the need for better technology in the prothonotary's office.

"I have a vested interest and commitment to this area, which I believe is a great place to live," she said.

Another prothonotary candidate is longtime notary Patricia Holdren of Coal Township.

Jury commissioner

Margaret Makowski Konopka, of Shamokin, the current Republican county jury commissioner, was appointed to her position in 2008 after the death of Tom Williams, who served in the position for many years.

The candidate said she works well with Democratic jury commissioner George "Norge" Dorko to ensure that "untainted" juries are selected for both civil and criminal trials in the county.

She said jury commissioners have mailed questionnaires to 3,000 residents from December through March. When the questionnaires are returned, she said they are reviewed with sensitivity, compassion and intelligence to determine who is qualified to become potential members of a jury panel.

"Without the diligence and hard work of the jury commissioners, the wheels of justice in Northumberland County would quickly grind to a halt," she said. Konopka's father, Vincent Makowski, is a well-known attorney and former county district attorney.

Dorko, who has been a jury commissioner for 30 years, said he has enjoyed working with Konopka and hopes to continue their partnership for at least another term.

"Becoming a jury commissioner was one of the best things to ever happen in my life," Dorko said. "I enjoy the job."

But Dorko, a lifelong Shamokin resident, noted providing jurors for the county's three judges has become more difficult over the years because of a decreasing population.

Ellie Rees, of Northumberland, who is running for Republican jury commissioner, said, "If elected, my goal would be to preserve the integrity of the jury selection process, starting with a person's right to have jurors selected at random from a representative cross-section of the eligible population of the county. Each person who is selected then receives a juror qualification form. On the basis of the returned forms, the jury commission, which includes the two jury commissioners and president judge, would then determine whether or not a person is qualified, and if the person may be excused from jury duty for undue hardship or extreme inconvenience."

Rees believes jury commissioner is a part-time job that would work well with her being self-employed as a counselor and piano teacher.

The candidate, who has resided in Northumberland County for 34 years, has been active in politics for many years.

Another candidate for jury commissioner is former Republican county commissioner Sam Deitrick, of Sunbury.

Shamokin offices

Shamokin City Treasurer Brenda Scandle is seeking re-election to a second term. She is running unopposed.

The Democrat said she has faced an "uphill climb" since being appointed to office in 2006 due to the city's financial problems that resulted in a $2.7 million debt last year, but believes her ability, experience and education will help as the city straightens out its finances.

The lifelong Shamokin resident, who said she strongly believes in a government "by the people for the people," takes pride in her job and is sensing that citizens are beginning to unite in an effort to improve the city in various ways.

"I give 100 percent to my job and my door is always open," Scandle concluded.

Shamokin Councilwoman Betsy Richardson is looking to become the city's first female mayor in the May 19 general election.

Richardson, a Republican who already has the distinction of serving as the city's first elected female council member, was appointed in January following the resignation of Garth Hall in 2008. She previously served 16 years on council.

Richardson attended the breakfast, but had Winhofer read her statement to the audience.

Her statement read, "We all know the city is in a financially troubled time and, ever since I was appointed to council in January, I have been studying the city's past budgets and current revenues and expenses along with the present status of the tax structure, and I feel I have the experience and organizational skills to perform well in the office of mayor."

She also wrote, "As mayor of Shamokin, I would offer personal representation on all issues to the residents of the city and work consistently to bring Shamokin back to financial stability."

Other Shamokin mayoral candidates include current Councilmen R. Craig Rhoades and George Rozinskie Jr., who are both Democrats. Current Mayor Ronald "Lum" Bradley is not seeking re-election.

Mount Carmel offices

Mount Carmel Mayor J. Kevin Jones is seeking his fourth consecutive term in the upcoming election.

Jones, a Republican whose family roots in the Mount Carmel area date back three centuries, said the keys to attracting industry to the area are safe living conditions, recreation opportunities, good schools, cultural attractions and a clean community.

Jones, who injected some humorous anecdotes into his talk, said the area should be proud of and take more advantage of its assets, such as Knoebels Amusement Resort, Weiser State Forest in the Bear Gap area and the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center.

The mayor said improvements have been made to the borough's police force, recreation areas and code enforcement office since be became mayor 12 years ago.

He admitted that regionalizing police forces, fire departments and other services may become a reality in the future, but is a far more complicated process than people realize.

"Life is a transition and we must adapt to change if we are going to be successful," Jones said.

"There are some hard times ahead, but I believe we are up to meeting the challenge."

Also running for mayor is Democrat Heather Gusky.

Mount Carmel Councilman Carl Froutz, a Democrat, also is seeking re-election to a fourth term.

"Kevin (Jones) and I have tried to make government more accessible and improve organizations within the borough, and I believe we have been successful since taking office together," Froutz said. "I believe our police department has done a very good job and is way ahead of the game when it comes to knowing the actions of certain people moving into the borough, especially people associated with gang-related activity."

Froutz also commended the borough's dedicated firefighters and urged the public to support them whenever possible. "They do a lot more for us than we could do for them," he said.

The veteran councilman also talked about several recreation improvements, including the development of soccer fields at the east end of the community along Route 61. He said the fields have made the east entrance to the borough a lot more attractive.

Froutz said it's vital for every local community continue to support economic development, especially ongoing efforts to secure businesses to the Coal Township-SEEDCO Industrial Park, part of which is located in Mount Carmel Township.

"We must do the right things for the right reasons," Froutz said.

Others seeking a seat on borough council are Republican Clem Plisewicz Jr. and Democrats Paul Artman, Robert Barrett, Philip "Bing" Cimino, Edward Fegley, Gary Hixson Jr., Tony Matulewicz, Robert Shirmer and John "Jack" Williams Sr.

Matulewicz, Barrett and Williams are current councilmen.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0430-34348455