LAWRENCE COUNTY 2 challengers face 2 incumbents in county commissioner race
Economic development is a major issue in the race.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Two incumbents will go up against two newcomers in the race for Lawrence County commissioner.
Democrat Brian Burick and Republican Ed Fosnaught are both seeking third terms. Their challengers are Democrat Steve Craig and Republican Dan Vogler. Three will be elected to serve four-year terms.
Burick, Vogler and Craig all cite leadership as the quality that qualifies them best for office.
"I am running for re-election because my record shows I am a proven leader for all of Lawrence County and I want to continue to make other needed improvements," Burick said.
He cites his involvement in starting the Lawrence County Federated Library System, opening a branch of the treasurer's office in Ellwood City and helping create the Lawrence County Airport, Municipal and Redevelopment authorities.
Positive leadership
Vogler, a Neshannock Township supervisor, believes he can bring positive new leadership to the county.
"My years of employment in private-sector management coupled with my elected and appointed experience in the public sector, I believe, qualify me for the position," he said.
Vogler has worked for Penn Power as manager and director of governmental affairs, served as executive director of United Way of Lawrence County and as site manager for Lawrence County CareerLink.
Craig, the county's former planning director, says he can provide leadership to get the county moving again.
"We have fallen behind the region, state and nation in employment, job creation, per capita income and many other indicators of well being. Quality leadership that brings experience, education and energy to the job of county commissioner is essential to reverse this slide," he said.
Fosnaught did not respond to The Vindicator's candidate questionnaire.
Economic development
The other three candidates see economic development as major issue in the race.
Burick said he has helped establish Keystone Opportunity Zones -- tax-free zones where businesses are encouraged to locate, and several industrial parks in his two terms as commissioner. He says he is still working with state and local officials to be ready to attract and retain jobs.
Burick said he wants to finish the multimillion-dollar Millennium Park project, a proposed business park designed to attract large employers in Neshannock Township, as well as finish a proposed countywide recycling drop-off system and install a touch-screen voting system in the county.
Volger's priorities include retaining and attracting employers to the county, developing a greater spirit of cooperation among private and public sector leaders and completing the Ewing Park Bridge project in Ellwood City.
"We need to study the counties of Pennsylvania that are prospering economically and learn from their success while, at the same time, building upon our own successes," Vogler said.
Craig would like to locate all economic development, planning, conservation, environmental and agricultural organizations in one spot as a first step to working together to improve quality of life in the county.
"My priority, if elected, is to lead a revolution in county government that focuses on delivery of the best quality service at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers," he said.
cioffi@vindy.com