LAWRENCE COUNTY Both parties field challenges for commissioners
Economics, experience and cooperation are among the issues.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Four candidates will emerge from a field of 13 when voters choose Lawrence County commissioner candidates during primary elections.
Voters in both the Republican and Democratic parties will pick two candidates Tuesday, and the four will square off for three seats in November. Incumbent Roger M. DeCarbo, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election.
Incumbent Commissioner Ed Fosnaught, a Republican, has one challenger. Fellow incumbent Brian Burick, a Democrat, has 10.
Jobs and improvements
Fosnaught cited his two terms as commissioner and his background of 25 years in management in the private sector as his qualifications to continue as commissioner.
Simply stated, Fosnaught said he wants to continue various improvement projects throughout the county while keeping a tight rein on spending and tax increases.
Fosnaught's Republican challenger is Dan Vogler, a Neshannock Township supervisor, who said he will work to bring quality employers to the county and thereby reduce Lawrence County's 9 percent unemployment rate.
"We need to do all we can to keep young people here in Lawrence County," Vogler said. "We need to emphasize that our county is a good place to both raise a family as well as retire."
Work force, recycling
Burick, seeking a third term as commissioner, said work force and economic devilment are two major issues of his campaign. He also wants to continue working toward a well-used drop-off recycling system for all county residents, and a touchscreen voting system for the board of elections.
"I have worked to help establish Keystone Opportunity Zones, and several industrial parks are now working with state and local officials to attract and retain industry and jobs," he said. Companies that locate in Keystone Opportunity Zones receive tax breaks.
As a governing board member of the West Central Job Partnership, Burick said, he helped bring a CareerLink employment assistance site to New Castle. Lawrence County was one of the first in Pennsylvania to have a CareerLink site, he said.
Purpose and openness
Democrat Steve Craig wants to improve the economic well-being and delivery of services to Lawrence County residents, and to guarantee quality government at the lowest possible cost.
"Lawrence County government is adrift with no sense of direction or purpose," he said. "We have fallen behind the region, state and nation in employment, job creation, per-capita income and many other areas that are indicators of well-being."
Diane D'Amore Mangino, a Democrat, thinks too much of county government business is conducted behind closed doors.
"I will have an open-door policy," she said. "Our taxpayers need to know what is going on before it is signed, sealed and delivered."
She said she plans to be "a totally accessible, full-time commissioner who is going to give 110 percent to rebuild our county."
Mark A. Elisco, an incumbent New Castle city councilman, said commissioners need to be more concerned about issues and less concerned about job security.
"My job is education, not politics," he said. "Decisions need to be made where the political consequences would be irrelevant. I believe I can provide the county with a commissioner who can make tough decisions."
Elisco, a Democrat, said the commissioners should hire a full-time business manager so the commissioners' board is legislative rather than administrative. He said the commissioner job should be part-time, not a career.
Concerns about youth
Charles Farris Jr. has spent a lifetime working with young people and is concerned about the county's young people playing in the streets. He said the commissioners should work toward creating places where young people can safely gather.
"Many of our playgrounds disappeared when the school district was consolidated," he said. "Now the children are playing in the streets, and this is very dangerous and must be corrected."
Democrat Farris said economic development and job creation are priorities of his campaign.
"Everyone talks about attracting jobs," he said. "Enough is enough with the talk. Let's act. Millennium Park is supposed to bring 3,000 jobs to Lawrence County. Now it is election time and the talk is louder, but I still do not see any jobs."
Emphasizing strength
Thomas J. Fee, a retired Pennsylvania state representative and former Lawrence County commissioner and New Castle city councilman, seeks a return to politics because especially since 9/11, the county government requires strong leadership, stability and wisdom.
"Proposed cuts in the state budget will require the board of commissioners to make tough decisions," the longtime Democrat said. "I have always withstood criticism to make the important tough call."
Fee said there is too much reliance on property taxes to finance county government. He said income tax or a sales tax of 1 percent would be a better alternative, taking the tax burden away from senior citizens and young families.
Cooperation
John Russo Jr. says his years of experience operating his own pharmacy, coupled with service as a New Castle city councilman and chairman of the New Castle Airport Authority, qualify him to be a commissioner.
Serving his fourth term as a city councilman, Democrat Russo said, "I have the background to ensure cooperation between commissioners, row officers and county municipalities and establish solid working relationships with other government bodies and other elected officials."
Russo said a priority would be making the county jail generate more revenue by establishing a marketing plan to fill vacant beds.
"The commissioner's office must be the catalyst for economic development, which means hands-on involvement to attract business to the county," he concluded.