NEW CASTLE Two will vie for township position

Both are seeking the Democratic nomination for the six-year term as supervisor.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A two-term supervisor will face off with a political newcomer in the coming primary election for a spot for Union Township supervisor.
Township fire department president Patrick Angiolelli says it's time for a change, but two-term Supervisor Kevin Guinaugh says experience is the key to good government.
Both agree the township's commercial growth will need to be addressed over the next several years.
Union Township was largely rural until about 10 years ago when Ladbrokes, an off-track betting establishment, located in the township. It has been followed by a host of other big-name retail stores, including Wal-Mart, Sears and Lowe's.
"The primary reason I'm running is Union Township's rapid growth. I believe that while the other gentlemen on the job right now have done best they can do, I believe Union Township needs a person who has a good picture of the future and knows what it needs for the future," Angiolelli said. "Not that the old way of doing things aren't still important today, but a fresh look is important. I think Union Township needs an injection of energy."
Position considered: Angiolelli said he would consider hiring a township administrator to help handle the daily operations which can help the township save money on things like buying from consortiums. He said he would also like to see stricter building and fire codes adopted by township supervisors. The township has no local codes and follows state guidelines, he said.
Guinaugh, who is also the township roadmaster, said his priority if re-elected will be working on traffic congestion that plagues U.S. Route 224 and some of its side roads.
"Traffic could be our biggest problem. We need more left-turn traffic signals," he said.
But Guinaugh said his years of experience have shown him that things can't be done quickly, and the same could be said for learning the job of supervisor.
"No doubt about it. It takes a while to know the rules and regulations. It took me four or five years. It takes time," he said.
Extra money: Guinaugh said he is proud of a small budget surplus the township was able to accumulate in the past year, which has helped pay for some new equipment, including a new truck. The surplus was mainly the result of more wage and real estate taxes coming in from the new businesses, he said.
Being more accessible to the public and holding all meetings in the evening would be another one of Angiolelli's priorities, he said.
"Meetings just recently have been changed to the evening again. That's just because it's election time. They manage to bring it to the forefront in the summertime when there are no issues and people are on vacation, but move it back to 3 p.m. in the winter when there are issues," he said.
Guinaugh disagrees, saying supervisors have held night meetings in the past and still haven't garnered much of a crowd.
He said residents will only come out when there is an issue they are passionate about. When supervisors considered banning guns in residential areas there was a big public response, he said. They eventually voted down the idea.
Both men are seeking the Democrat nomination for the six-year term. There are no Republicans seeking the office.