Democratic Voters Question Candidates before Tuesday’s Primary

Five of the seven Democratic Armstrong County Commissioner candidates spoke their views and answered questions at a ‘Candidates Night’ at Lenape Technical School in Manor Township last night, including: (L-R sitting at table) Pat Fabian, Anthony Shea, George Skamai, Paul Rearick and Roy Morrison.

by Jonathan Weaver

A total of five of the seven Democratic Armstrong County Commissioner candidates attended a forum before next week’s Primary Election last night in Manor Township.

Candidates Pat Fabian, Roy Morrison, Paul Rearick, Anthony Shea and George Skamai responded to about 15 questions posed by local residents in Lenape Technical School’s cafeteria.

Candidates Mel Marin and “Bid” Atwood did not attend the event, even though they had a seat available at the table.

During the two-hour ‘Candidates Night’ sponsored by Downtown Kittanning, Inc., candidates told voters, if elected, how they would entice new business to the county, their qualifications to manage a $20 million budget and apply for grant funding and their plans for county assets – such as the Belmont Complex in East Franklin Township – and moving the county forward

All five candidates committed to serving in a full-time capacity if elected.

Each candidate had two minutes to respond, with later follow-up or rebuttal time if requested.

Nearly 35 local residents – not including Downtown Kittanning, Inc. officials and Lenape Technical School students and staff – attended the evening.

Moderator Linda Hemmes, of Kittanning Borough, was impressed with the questions supplied by residents, as well as the answers given by candidates.

“Overall, I have learned a lot about these candidates – I am so impressed with the quality of people running,” Hemmes said.

Sunday, Hemmes and husband, Marty, will discuss each candidate and grade them on leadership, integrity, honesty and experience.

“We set aside two days before the election to sit and talk through our talking points,” Hemmes said.

Hemmes said Downtown Kittanning, Inc. President Ray Voller and other representatives were also pleased with the ‘Candidates Night’ forums

Democratic Committee Chairman Lou Vergari thought the event went well and said he will have a difficult decision at the polling place Tuesday.

“Any one of them could do an excellent job in the county,” Vergari said. “At this time, I can’t support any one, but I was really impressed with everyone.”

Vergari hoped another candidate forum would be available after the Primary Election.

Tuesday’s election will trim the candidates to a total of four – two Democrats and two Republicans. Those four will be finalists for the three open seats in the November General Election.

Polling places throughout Pennsylvania open at 7AM Tuesday and close at 8PM.

After the two-hour forum, the five candidates also posed for a photo with Downtown Kittanning, Inc. sponsors and Lenape Technical School students.

 

 

categories Local News | May 15, 2015

13 Comments

  • By jorn jensen, May 15, 2015 @ 10:13 AM

    This was a good event - tough questions asked and these candidates did well in their responses - my opinion.

    I will guess that the ‘interview’ that these candidates went through for a $60k job was much tougher than the interview that the new superintendent of schools went through for a $160k job. That is my ‘guess’ because I did not get to sit through the interview for the superintendent, but I did sit through three meet the candidates nights for commissioner.

    This is a very important election and it baffles me that the seating at this event was not full - I had predicted that it would be. A very wide choice of candidates from both parties and some very odd situations that voters should be aware of, but I doubt that many are.

    These democratic candidates all came across pro-union and many are supported by unions.

    Thank you, DKI, Leanpe Tech and Linda Hemmes, for putting forth this effort for the public to meet the candidates.

  • By blutoblutarsky, May 15, 2015 @ 11:55 AM

    jorn- Everyone gets it. You’re anti-union and in your eyes every Democrat is pro-union. The people of Kittanning have noted it; you may move along. lol

    I’m certain that after reading your comment the school board will give you a call to sit in on the next superintendent interview.

  • By Flamingo1, May 15, 2015 @ 1:23 PM

    JJ—As usual snarky comments from you. You know nothing about the interview process for the new Superintendent. It was extensive. It is a skilled position. He manages an $80 million budget. A comparable person in business would make much more.

  • By mad-2010, May 15, 2015 @ 1:26 PM

    Jensen… Stop Guessing, makes you look bad.. 160K is about right for a Quad A Superintendent.

  • By Flamingo1, May 15, 2015 @ 2:07 PM

    So the Democrats turned out more candidates and more attendees. So does one conclude Democrats care more, are more involved and have the best interests of the county in mind?
    Well of course.

  • By watchdog15, May 15, 2015 @ 6:18 PM

    The voters should consider what candidates chose to address the questions by the public at both the Republican and Democratic Forum since none of them knew what would be asked. If you can’t take questions as a candidate how can you represent me a taxpayer if you are elected? If you chose not to attend why should I trust you to make sound decisions as a leader without outside influence?

  • By jorn jensen, May 15, 2015 @ 9:34 PM

    Should you ever find yourself the target of other peoples’ bitterness, smallness, or insecurities, remember - things could be worse……you could be them.

  • By savvynewshound, May 16, 2015 @ 12:16 PM

    I’m amazed at the candidates that are not speaking or letting us know their positions and qualifications.

    Mad-2010…shouldn’t we have AAAA sports facilities as well?

  • By mad-2010, May 16, 2015 @ 12:34 PM

    The ever Ubiquitous Jensen. LOL Time will tell…

  • By heardenoughalready, May 16, 2015 @ 2:04 PM

    I sure do hope they were able to draw pictures so that the democrats could fully comprehend. But the fact they are even considering voting for a democrat shows that they are educationally deficient.

  • By jerry6, May 16, 2015 @ 8:01 PM

    heardenoughalready: I hate it when you lump everyone into one mold if they are liberal or conservative. Fred Honsberger used to do this on the radio. He said if you are a democrat, you aren’t a Christian. That is the dumbest thing for anyone to say. I heard Jack Bennett say one election that he voted for two democrats and that is something since he is such a strong republican. So, stop with the labeling just because of a person’t political affilation.

  • By steve, May 16, 2015 @ 8:23 PM

    Here are some of Jorn’s comments during the last election for commissioner. Go figure he’s asking Dave Wolfe for specific answers, but gets all huffy when someone asks him! What a joke lol.
    http://www.thekittanningpaper.info/2011/11/02/commissioner-candidates-answer-hard-questions/21256#comments

  • By steve, May 16, 2015 @ 8:28 PM

    “I agree with the others, especially Ron Townsend, Jr. – he states it the best – give the voters facts – inform us – help us to make good choices.
    Publish it and we won’t beat you up for it.”

    Your words Jorn. Why won’t YOU give anyone the facts?

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