Democrats a “No Show” at Patriots Debate
More than 50 Armstrong and Indiana residents came to the Indiana Armstrong Patriots county commissioner debate last night at the Elderton Towne Hall and submitted questions. Armstrong County elected officials also were there to listen to Republican Candidates David Battaglia and Jason Renshaw.
by Jonathan Weaver
Even though a scheduled commissioner debate in Elderton last night reflected only one political parties’ viewpoint, both officials received more crucial exposure before the upcoming General Election.
Incumbent County Commissioner David Battaglia, of Rayburn Township, and Candidate Jason Renshaw, of Freeport, are the lone Republican candidates on the November 3 ballot.
Both may be elected at the beginning of November - since Armstrong County voters elect three commissioners - but they are contested by first-year candidates Pat Fabian, of Manor Township, and George Skamai, of Rural Valley.
Fabian did not attend Tuesday’s event due to work obligations and Skamai declined due to personal reasons.
Both Republican candidates answered audience questions for about an hour-and-a-half Tuesday evening, including regarding the continued practice of Marcellus Shale fracking, “Clean and Green” property values and what makes them a Republican.
Another question both candidates supported was Sheriff Bill Rupert’s fundraising efforts for a County K-9 officer.
Battaglia attended a recent elementary school assembly where District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo, of Ford City, told students that if they resist tobacco use while they are in public education, they are less likely to become addicted to drugs. Judge DeComo founded the ‘Drugs Kill Dreams’ prevention program 15 years ago.
“The number 1 advantage to a drug dog is going into schools, educating the students and getting them excited about not getting on drugs,” Battaglia said. “I support the drug dog specifically because I see a tremendous educational value to it.”
Renshaw said he donated to Sheriff Rupert’s effort during a recent golf outing.
“I don’t see any bad things about having a drug dog. Drugs are a big issue here, and I think it’s time we put up a stance and say ‘This is our county.’ I think we need to support this and have that available for our law enforcement officials and people whenever they need them.”
Battaglia said private-sector and conservative principles are the answer to move Armstrong County forward in terms of both good spending and good government.
Renshaw thought his ability to relate to local residents on several issues and politics helped him stand out as a candidate.
Renee Batistig and her husband, Dave, of Elderton were two of the more-than-50 local and regional residents in attendance. Dave asked one of the questions regarding property tax reassessment since they live on farmland.
Both want to compare Battaglia and Renshaw’s views with those of the Democratic candidates before making up their mind who they will vote for Election Day.
“We’ll see,” Dave said.
Event Moderator Ron Larch, of Indiana, said 18 questions submitted via notecards were asked to the candidates, and that many of the questions not asked were similar issues but only asked in a different way.
“(Indiana Armstrong Patriots) don’t sponsor any candidates - we just try to keep everybody educated on issues and what’s going on in the world,” Larch said.
He “guaranteed” many of the same questions will be asked during next week’s debate with all six Indiana County commissioner candidates at the Rustic Lodge in Indiana - where Larch will serve as moderator.
Justin Starron, of Rural Valley, was the last member to verify questions before they were submitted to Larch. He said he would have asked Battaglia and Renshaw “a lot” of the same questions.
“They were all pretty-good questions. I’m mostly interested in fracking since I work in the gas industry,” Starron said.
Starron was involved in other “town hall” events while he was a college student.
Organization Chair Julie Anderson, of Indiana, said there were many reasons why Indiana Armstrong Patriots rented the Elderton Towne Hall - including not disturbing Founder Tom Smith at the Smith Complex in Shelocta because of his cancer diagnosis.
“This was a little more intimate - a smaller venue than we normally have. This has been planned for close-to two months,” Anderson said.
Anderson saw members from both counties last night, and hoped next week’s debate will also be attended by Armstrong County residents.
Fabian and Skamai told Patriots organizers during the past weekend that they would not be attending.
Local News | jweaver October 14, 2015
By jorn jensen, October 14, 2015 @ 8:56 AM
“Fabian did not attend Tuesday’s event due to work obligations….”. If he is elected commissioner, will he be present at his commissioner job?
By watchdog15, October 14, 2015 @ 10:58 AM
Hooray for the Batistig’s to be honest to keeping an open mind and compare the views of all the candidates both R’s and D’s. The divisions in our country and state between the two parties has stifled progress and moving the country forward for the betterment of the nation. Just look at the state’s 103 day budget impasse.
By Marc, October 14, 2015 @ 9:02 PM
At least he has a job Jensen! lol
By steve, October 15, 2015 @ 1:30 PM
Jorn sounds awfully jealous of Pat Fabian lately. LOL
By Frank Navasky, October 15, 2015 @ 4:14 PM
If Pat Fabian is elected Commissioner, the answer to your question will be quite evident. Seems obvious to me, the dedication to his current position already answers that question.
By Marc, October 15, 2015 @ 8:38 PM
I’m sure there is a big difference between running for commissioner and getting elected. Anyone would be foolish to quit one job before getting the next.
I for one admire that Pat is committed to his current position while vigorously campaigning. He seems to have a lot more get up and go than Jensen, who spends all his time online.
By blutoblutarsky, October 16, 2015 @ 9:34 AM
Who would you rather have-
Candidate one- Is out helping the community daily, maintains a 40+ hr per week job, is running a successful campaign, but shows up to half of the public debates.
Candidate two- Helps his community only when it’s something he enjoys, is retired, runs his campaign online with no face to face community visits, but puts on a show by attending all public debates.
I’ll take candidate one, please.
By sickofpayingforit, October 16, 2015 @ 12:54 PM
I can see missing a debate for work. We can’t have it both ways and I surely don’t want supervisor jobs to pay enough for them not to have to work elsewhere, so missing this thing due to work obligations is completely justified.
In the tax-fed world, it is somehow acceptable to be paid for a current position, while focusing on gaining a different position. Probably because those that do this, make the rules. In the private sector, typically speaking, we don’t get paid to seek employment elsewhere, but that probably doesn’t apply to this so much and is a random thought here.
By blutoblutarsky, October 19, 2015 @ 11:22 AM
Sickof- People in the private sector change jobs often and search for new jobs while they’re currently employed. Do they make this public knowledge? Typically not.
I believe it’s socially acceptable to be employed and run for public office because how else would you do this? It’s not like you can secretly run and you can’t expect someone to quit their day job while they do.
Employers probably look at it as part of doing business. Sometimes your good employees leave for a better opportunity and there’s not much you can do about it.