31 CANDIDATES | The profiles

There are 31 people vying for nine spots on the county government study commission, which will convene only if voters approve a referendum creating it:
CARMEN ROZZI
Age: 41Home: 127 E. Hazelcroft Ave., New Castle.Employment: Design engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District.Education: New Castle High School, bachelor's in engineering degree in civil engineering at Youngstown State University, master's degree in public policy and management at University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.Family: Wife, Mary Kay Lombardo RozziPolitical experience: As an engineer he works closely with the Congressional interests on the federal level and state and local interest in civil works projects.Priority: "I will strive to be objective and professional and make decisions based on sound public policy principles and guidelines."
ELIZABETH M. VERTERANO
Age: 59Home: 235 Beechwood Road, New Wilmington.Employment: American Express Financial Advisors, certified financial planner.Education: Westinghouse High School, Pittsburgh; University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, foreign exchange student in 1962; Pennsylvania State University, bachelor's degree in political science; University of Pittsburgh, master's degree in secondary education.Family: Husband, Frank G. Verterano.Political experience: Lawrence County commissioner, 1988-1991; New Castle Council, 1986-1987; 1980-1983; delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention.Priority: "My priority would be to have the study conducted and completed in a thorough, timely, orderly and nonpartisan manner. I would encourage the public and current county officials and employees to submit their thoughts and suggestions. Regarding innovative ideas
WENDELL B. WAGNER
Age: 68Home: 230 Francis St., New Wilmington.Employment: Retired.Education: Bachelor's degree from Westminster College.Family: Wife, Phyllis Decker Wagner, son Douglas Wagner and daughter, Susan Garrett.Political experience: Lawrence County commissioner, 1988-1991; New Wilmington Borough council, 1966-1978.Priority: "I'm running for the study commission because I feel there should be some experienced people on it. Since I was a Lawrence County commissioner for four years, who better to serve on this commission than someone who has sat in that seat and knows how the present system works. We must remember that any recommendation by the commission must come before the people to be voted on."
CONNIE R. MACDONALD
Age: 57Home: 412 Joffre St., Ellwood City.Employment: Fire chief of Ellwood City since 1994.Education: Lincoln High School, Ellwood City; Robert Morris College, bachelor's degree in accounting.
Family: Wife, Deloris K. DunhamPolitical experience: Ellwood City Council, 1972-1975.Priority: "My priority is to take a fair approach to review county government."
YVONNE M. JOSEPH
Age: 42Home: 931 Beckford St., New Castle.Employment: Fiscal officer for Lawrence County treasurer for 21 years.Education: New Castle School District and Lawrence County Vocational Technical School.Family: Mother, Rita Joseph, and father, the late Thomas A. Joseph.Political experience: None.Priority: "To gain knowledge of the Home Rule study so I will be able to compare that with the way county government currently operates."
RALPH L. KILLMEYER III
Age: 42Home: RD 4, Box 170-A, New Castle.Employment: Self-employed as an independent sales representative since 1993.Education: Associate's degree in business administration.Family: Wife, Darlene, daughter, Rachel, and son, David.Political experience: None.Priority: To determine what is best for the ordinary citizen of Lawrence County.
THEODORE 'TED' SCARDEFIELD
Age: 69Home: 2504 Marie Drive, New CastleEmployment: President of AFL-CIO in Lawrence County and president of Solidarity Brokerage.Education: Milton-Hershey School, Hershey, Pa.; associate's degree from University of California; undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University; working on a graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.Family: Wife, Rose Marie; sons, Theodore II and Todd.
Political experience: None.Priority: "To be open minded to the review of the types of county government."
KENNETH J. LOCKE JR.
Age: 25Home: 1416 Laurel Place, New Castle.Employment: Second deputy controller of Lawrence County.Education: Laurel High School; Clarion University, bachelor's degree in accounting.Family: Single.Political experience: None.Priority: "My priority is to study the Home Rule type of government for the people of Lawrence County and decide what is best for the county."
RICHARD PELINI
Age: 71Home: 210 Mission Meade Road, New Castle.Employment: Self-employed real estate agent, Richard-Todd Inc.Education: New Castle High School.Family: Wife, Mary Lou; two sons and one daughter.Political experience: None.Priority: "To jump start Lawrence County. Be open minded and to serve all of Lawrence County."
CHARLES P. CUBA SR.
Age: 66Home: 523 E. Moody Ave., New Castle.Employment: Retired.Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Virginia Tech.Family: Wife, Jewell; sons, Charles Jr. and Terry.Political experience: New Castle school board, 1990-1996.Priority: "I do not believe in change for the sake of change. We [the community] need to get involved, study pros and cons and the costs to the taxpayers."
RICHARD C. NERO
Age: 49Home: 710 Monroe St., New Castle.Employment: Ministry/furniture business.Education: Doctorate of divinity.Family: Wife, Darlene Ann Nero; daughter, Amanda Saylor.Political experience: Democratic committeeman for eight years.Priority: "To study the alternative methods of governing and to make a fair and impartial judgment on the outcome of the results."
D. JOHN RAZZANO
Age: 81Home: 924 E. Washington St., New Castle.Employment: Self-employed, retired.Education: High school and two years of college.Family: Wife, Ida; children, John D., Marilyn, Eugene, Rick, Anthony and Robert.Political experience: New Castle City Council, 1971-1975; chairman of the city Redevelopment Authority, 1981-1984; past executive director of the Anti-Poverty Agency.Priority: "To faithfully and energetically study the Lawrence County government operation. To seek solutions for improvement by applying private industry techniques and methodology for cost-effective operation."
MICHAEL A. SERVEDIO
Age: 45
Home: 2330 Servedio Drive, New Castle.Employment: Owner of A. Servedio Electric Motor Service.Education: High school.Family: Wife, Mary Beth; son, Matthew.Political experience: None.Priority: "To thoroughly research and understand the different options of county government and recommend the form most beneficial to our county."
PAUL STEFANO
Age: 27Home: 2301 Delaware Ave., New Castle.Employment: Social studies teacher in the New Castle School District.Education: Bachelor's degree at Slippery Rock University and master's degree in education, Duquesne University.Family: Single.Political experience: None. Priority: " ... to conduct the most objective and best possible study. Only if the study is objective and of the highest quality can a proper decision be reached to best serve the citizens of Lawrence County."
E. STEVE GAGLIARDO
Age: 64Home: 3009 Ellwood Road, New Castle.Employment: Retired.Education: Bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University; master's degree in education from Westminster College and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.Family: Wife, Mildred; children, Joseph Gagliardo, Lori Schooley, Deborah Genearo and Robert Mastropietro.Political experience: None.Priority: " ... to objectively decide if the current form of government is the best for Lawrence County or should it be replaced with a home rule form of government."
DONALD "DUCKY" CONTI
Age: 46Home: 308 E. Home St.Employment: Disability.Education: New Castle High School and attended Slippery Rock University.Family: Wife, Gloria Alberico Conti; children, Donald III and Tara.Political experience: Lawrence County Democratic State Committeeman.Priority: "What is the best for the people of Lawrence County."
THOMAS A. SHUMAKER
Age: 63Home: RD 5, Box 450, New Castle.Employment: Self-employed attorney since 1965.Education: Culver Military Academy; Amherst College, bachelor's degree; University of Pennsylvania Law School, juris doctorate.Family: Wife, Sydney R. Shumaker; two children. Political experience: New Castle Council, 1968-1972; Lawrence County Commissioner, 1972-1980.Priority: "The government study should be conducted in an open-minded, thorough manner with a number of public hearings and public participation. I am committed to this approach for the study."
GALE E. MEASEL JR.
Age: 47Home: 872 Maitland Lane, New Castle.Employment: President, GEM Building Contractors and Developers.Education: Graduate of Neshannock High School.Family: Wife, Valerie; children, Gregory, 24, Geoffrey, 21, and Kristin, 20.Political experience: Neshannock Township supervisor for 17 years.Priority: "To compare the existing county government with optional forms of government to see if a change would better serve the taxpayers. My idea would be to create a county government that will team up the 27 existing municipalities and leadership through the consolidation of services."
KATHLEEN DONEGAN
Age: 27Home: 1650 Harlansburg Road, New Castle.Employment: Receptionist.Education: High school graduate; studied medical administration at Slippery Rock University.Family: Husband, Christopher.Political experience: None.Priority: "My priority would be to insure that this other form of government is thoroughly and objectively studied. I will further insure that the group recommends the form of government that best protects individual liberty, keep taxes low and keeps a check on their power."
ROBERT V. BAIRD
Age: 69Home: RD 1, Box 1246, Wampum.Employment: Truck driver for Big K Liquidators.Education: High school; attended Geneva College.Family: Wife, Donna M. Baird; four children.
Political experience: Wayne Township supervisor, 1994-1996.Priority: "To have an open mind as to the future of Lawrence County government."
BARBARA JASTER
Age: 77Home: RD 1, Box 1091 Pulaski.Employment: Retired.Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Youngstown State University.Family: Husband, James W. Jaster; two children, Ruth and Howard.Political experience: None.Priority: "To study the issues carefully and make the best possible decision based on what we have learned during the study period."
GARY CLARK SR., AMY E. LAMB, JANET VERONE, CHARLOTTE A. SHEFFIELD, FRANK TELESZ JR., RALPH CHIAPETTA, JOSEPH SPARANO, PATRICK SHEA, LORETTA SPIELVOGEL AND HELEN E. JACKSON
Did not return The Vindicator questionnaires on which this listing is based.