LWV OF MERCER COUNTY VOTERS GUIDE - MUNCIPAL PRIMARY 2009
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MERCER COUNTY
VOTERS GUIDE
MUNICIPAL PRIMARY, MAY 19, 2009
Statewide and countywide information for the Voters Guide was compiled from the candidates’ responses to questionnaires provided by the League of Women Voters of Mercer County.
In compiling the unbiased voter information, the League neither endorses nor rejects any political party or candidate for public office, and does not assume responsibility for the contents of any candidate’s reply.
Each candidate’s response has been printed as submitted, except by editing from the end of a candidate’s qualifications or issues statement when the reply exceeds the word limit. The Voters Guide contains the names of the candidates that appear on the certified ballot on May 19, 2009.
The nonpartisan policy of the League is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Members, excluding Board members, are encouraged to participate actively in the party of their choice.
Officers for the League are Rosann Rookey, president; Beth Long, 1st vice president; Lyn Weidner, 2nd vice president; Alyce Parrish, Dorothy Bieber, co-secretaries; and Karen Kosheba, treasurer. Peggy Ruggles prepared the Voters Guide material.
The municipal primary is Tuesday, May 19, 2009. The polls will be open from 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. The League urges voters to study the information in the Voters Guide and VOTE!
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All candidates were asked to respond to the following question:
How do you plan to serve the citizens of Mercer County in this office?
COUNTY CONTROLLER
The controller gathers budget information, prescribes accounting systems to be used in county offices, approves all bills, audits books of all county officers, and makes financial reports at the end of the year.
Term: 4 years
Salary: $54,006 plus $1,000 for Retirement Board
(Vote for one.)
Hermitage, PA
D.O.B.: April 28, 1956
EDUCATION: BS, Business Administration – Accounting, YSU; passed Certified Public Account (CPA) examination.
OCCUPATION: Mercer County Controller; Board member - Community Counseling Center, Minority Health Center, Shenango River Watchers, Keystone Blind Association
QUALIFICATIONS: I have managed a dedicated and professional staff that helps me discharge the duties of my office in a competent and efficient manner. The controller’s office has successfully audited county offices to insure integrity and compliance with county code.
QUESTION: For eight years, I have pledged that I would serve as an independent fiscal “watchdog” for the citizens and taxpayers of Mercer County. I believe that I have kept that pledge by keeping the interests of taxpayers first, even under sometimes difficult circumstances and pressures. I will continue to honor that pledge if the voters return me for a third term. I will also focus on greater transparency regarding government expenditures so taxpayers can readily scrutinize how tax dollars are spent.
The treasurer receives all tax and other monies owed to the county, pays the bills upon order of the commissioners, and maintains annual and monthly records for audit. As an agent for the state, the treasurer issues dog, fishing, and hunting licenses.
TERM: 4 Years
SALARY: $54,006
DEMOCRATIC
Roberta Biros has publicly announced her withdrawal as a candidate. However, since the primary ballot had been printed before her withdrawal, her name is still listed.
(Vote for one.)
Pine Township
D.O.B.: May 23, 1944
EDUCATION: Grove City High School; Graduate New Castle Business College, Higher Accounting and Business Administration; Completed over 25 classes related to the Financial Industry; Graduate Central Atlantic Advanced School of Banking.
OCCUPATION: Mercer County Treasurer
QUALIFICATIONS: Raised in family business; 20 years experience in the Financial Industry; 15 years Mercer County Treasurer
QUESTION: Immediate investment of County Funds putting your tax dollars to work. Over the past 15 years I have made an average of $825,000.00 annually in interest for the County. Continue the program of “Taking the Peoples Business to the People” – establishing dog license agents in local communities. Dog license can be purchased at 17 locations throughout the county. Continue to inform Sportsmen of hunting license changes and address their concerns in a fair manner.
The two Jury Commissioners, not of the same political party, annually prepare lists of qualified residents from which are drawn the names of persons for jury duty for the ensuing year. Jury panels are randomly selected from a master list of the county's licensed drivers and supplemented by the voter registration list.
TERM: 4 years
SALARY: $12,836
DEMOCRATIC
Sharon
D.O.B.: April 28, 1927
EDUCATION: Graduate of Sharon High School, 1946; attended Youngstown State University – did not complete.
OCCUPATION: Jury Commissioner
QUALIFICATIONS: Eight years, Sharon City Council, 1968-1975; Director of Voter Registration and Elections, 1990-1998; Jury Commissioner, 2002 to present.
QUESTION: I will use the experience gained during my terms as jury commissioner to serve the residents of Mercer County, especially the jurors, in a fair and impartial manner. I will continue the office in the manner in which it has been operated in the past seven years.
(Vote for one)
Hermitage
D.O.B.: December 22, 1943
EDUCATION: Vocational School
OCCUPATION: Jury Commissioner
In counties other than Philadelphia, Magisterial District Judges represent the first level of the court system. They have jurisdiction over such offenses as traffic violations, landlord/tenant matters, and civil actions involving less than $8,000, and they preside over arraignments and can set and accept bail in criminal cases not involving murder or voluntary manslaughter. Those judges who are not lawyers must complete a course of instruction and pass an examination before taking office.
TERM: 6 Years
SALARY: $80,927
DEMOCRATIC
(Vote for one.)
Lowell T. Williams
Sharon
D.O.B.: April 29, 1952
EDUCATION: 1973, University of Pittsburgh, B. A.; 1976, Washington University School of Law, J. D.
OCCUPATION: Assistant Public Defender of Mercer County
QUALIFICATIONS: 31 years of legal experience; Member of Pennsylvania Bar Association; previously recommended to governor as potential nominee for district judge; An ordained minister; The only qualified and experienced candidate.
QUESTION: To be a good District Judge requires a thorough knowledge of the law, which I have acquired during my 31 years of legal experience. I previously worked for Legal Services for 10 years, handling various civil matters, and for the last 21 years, I have been employed as a Public Defender of Mercer County. I am now ready to apply my knowledge and experience to serve the citizens of Sharon and Sharpsville as District Judge.
Ronald A. Maurice
Sharon
D.O.B.: Nov. 12, 1957
EDUCATION: Graduate Hickory High School, Hermitage, PA, Class of 1977
OCCUPATION: Chief mechanic, city of Sharon
QUALIFICATIONS: Twelve years Army Reserves, Platoon Leader; President of Local AFSME Union 2692; Citizen of the Year 2005 by Fraternal Order of Police Rose of Sharon.
QUESTION: I will serve the people of Sharon and Sharpsville by being available 24/7. I will be a fair, honest and dedicated elected official. I have worked hard since the age of fourteen. I have had tragedy and hard times in my life. Some people deserve and need a second chance; they will get that from me. I believe strongly in community service for those who qualify. I believe this benefits the entire communities.
Bob Lucas
Sharon
D.O.B.: Dec. 3, 1950
EDUCATION: Sharpsville High Graduate – 1968; Ohio Fire School – 1977; Pacific Institute’s Investment in Excellence – 2007
OCCUPATION: Mayor, Finance Director; Owner: Lucas Carpets & Installations
QUALIFICATIONS: Army Veteran, Union Member, Small Business Owner, Councilman, Board Member: Chamber of Commerce, Mayor, Finance Director. Endorsements: Mercer County Central Labor Council, Building Trades, Regional Council of Carpenters.
QUESTION: I shall continue to meet the standard of excellence set by Judges Coleman and McMahon. Each person will be viewed with an unbiased eye, whether private citizen, law enforcement officer, municipal or county representative. I will provide justice for our community by utilizing my diverse background, seasoned commonsense and knowledge of our community standards when presented with the daily problems and conflicts brought before the court. The just application of law is a sacred duty.
Thomas Burke
Sharon
D.O.B.: Jan. 6, 1961
EDUCATION: 1979 Kennedy Christian High School; 1992 PA Municipal Police Officers Training Academy; 2003 FBI National Academy 215th Session, Quantico, VA;
Attending Butler County Community College; anticipated graduation date, December 2009.
OCCUPATION: Director, Safety and Security, Duferco Farrell Corporation
QALIFICATIONS: City of Sharon, Chief of Police, 5 years; Officer of the Year, 1995; Criminal investigator.
QUESTION: My career goals have always been in public service and the field of law. I have extensive law enforcement experience and my courtroom experience has come from appearances before Magisterial District and Common Pleas judges, testifying and presenting legal arguments on various issues. I will administer justice fairly, impartially and with common sense to bring a just resolution to the problems of our communities. I will serve all citizens with compassion, commitment, dedication and integrity.
Joseph E. Gaston
Sharon
D.O.B.: Feb. 13, 1971
EDUCATION: 1989, Mercer Jr./Sr. High; attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania 3 years; 1994 Indiana University of PA Municipal Police Academy
OCCUPATION: Sergeant, Sharon Police Department
QUALIFICATIONS: 15 years, Law Enforcement Experience; 8 years, supervisor of patrol; 1999, Sharon Police Officer of the Year based on professionalism, job performance, and leadership; 4.5 years with the Community Orientated Policing Services program (C.O.P.S.)
QUESTION: I will serve with an open and objective mind listening to both sides of each case without bias. I will bring my law enforcement experience with me as a benefit to the communities I will serve. Having worked with the District Judge’s office, I have seen the frequent fliers come in and out of the office, and I will do my part to stop this cycle of repeat offenders.
Dennis M. Songer
Sharpsville
D.O.B.: Aug. 8, 1955
EDUCATION: 1988, Youngstown State University, B.S.; 1992, Youngstown State University, M. B. A., College for Financial Planning
OCCUPATION: Certified Financial Planner Practitioner
QUALIFICATIONS: County Controller, 8 years; Past President, Mercer County Prison Board; worked with District Attorney’s office on several cases; audited District Judges offices; worked with individuals and institutions on financial planning issues.
QUESTION: “Serving as District Judge is about upholding integrity and demonstrating independence in the administration of Justice. A District Judge must be patient, dignified and courteous to witnesses, litigants and lawyers, and must be firm and fair in making rulings. I believe that I possess those important attributes and I pledge to uphold the highest standards in serving the people of Sharon and Sharpsville as District Judge.” Thank you.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE 35-3-02
(Vote for one.)
CROSS-FILED
D. Neil McEwen
Grove City
D.O.B.: July 10, 1970
EDUCATION: Grove City High School graduate, 1988; University of Pittsburgh, B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience, 1992; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 1996.
OCCUPATION: Assistant District Attorney, Mercer Count District Attorney’s office; part-time adjunct professor at Slippery Rock University--Criminology and Criminal Justice Dept.
QUALIFICATIONS: Full-time Asst. District Attorney, 8 years; Full-time Asst. Public Defender, 3 years; Full-time attorney private practice, 3 years.
QUESTION: Constitutional issues and due process concerns cannot be handled by reading about them in a book. In three years in the public defender’s office and the last eight years in the district attorney’s office, I have wrestled with the legal issues raised in every court in this county. I have earned my experience in the courtroom and intend to use my law enforcement background to protect the due process concerns of every interested party.
Tedd Nesbit
Grove City
D.O.B.: Apr. 30, 1967
EDUCATION: B. S. Florida State University, Political Science, 1989; J. D. Magna Cum Laude, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2004
OCCUPATION: Attorney
QUALIFICATIONS: President, Grove City Area United Way Board; Elder and Children’s Choir Director, East Main Presbyterian Church; Solicitor, Wolf Creek Township; Former law clerk, Honorable John C. Reed; Contract attorney with Children and Youth Services.
QUESTION: I promise to treat everyone that walks into the office with dignity and respect. For the people involved there is no such thing as a small case. I believe that I am the most qualified candidate for the office based on my education and experience. That experience will help run an efficient court, saving tax dollars, and insuring fair treatment for citizens.
Barbara Brown
Grove City
D.O.B.: March 14, 1953
EDUCATION: Pine-Richland High School; AW Beatty: Computer Programming 1971; Professional Continuing Education
OCCUPATION: Springfield Township Administrator
QUALIFICATIONS: Small Business Owner, 20+years; Township Administrator, 14 years; PA Certified Instructor; Grove City Zoning Hearing board; Mercer County MPO; PA Northwest Commission; Chair Grove City PTO; Chair DEP Advisory Committee; Chair/Board Member State Association.
QUESTION: As district judge I will decide compliance of the written law, not argue or try to re-invent the law. I promise that preliminary arraignments will be conducted with impartiality while keeping the safety of the community my upmost priority on matters of bail. The overwhelming majority of the cases in 35-3-02 involve traffic, game laws, and various small claims which I pledge to decide with efficiency after a fair hearing of all parties.
(Vote for one.)
CROSS-FILED
Joseph M. Gula
Greenville
D.O.B.: Apr. 4, 1950
EDUCATION: 1975, Duquesne, J. D.; 1972, Allegheny, B. S.
OCCUPATION: Attorney
QUALIFICATIONS: Only candidate certified by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court;
Law practice involving criminal and juvenile justice and civil matters - 30+ years;
Performed as judge: arbiter in civil cases; Court appointed Chairman, Board of View Panel (22 years); Domestic Relations Solicitor (19 years); Selected by Court to advise District Justices (2 years)
QUESTION: I believe a district judge must be able to find the facts of a case fairly, apply the law without favoring any person or cause, and make common sense decisions. The knowledge and skills I have obtained through education, practicing law for over 30 years, and life experiences have given me the ability to provide local people with the quality of justice they deserve and the safe, secure community we all desire.
John Neil Kelly
South Pymatuning Township
D.O.B. Sept. 19, 1951
EDUCATION: Youngstown State University, A.A.S., 1993; Youngstown State University, B. S. 1995; California University of PA, M.S., 2007
OCCUPATION: Retired police chief; adjunct college instructor; small business owner
QUALIFICATIONS: 28 years as a police officer, 16 as chief of police; undergrad and graduate education in Police Science, criminal justice administration, legal issues, and public policy.
QUESTION: I intend to bring the knowledge gained through many years of education and experience to ensure reasonableness and common sense in the office of District Justice. As a long time police officer and chief of police, I have an acute awareness to the problems that affect our streets and neighborhoods. I am not obligated to any individuals, groups or organizations. No special favors can be expected and none will be given. My loyalty is to the citizens.
Brian Arthur
Hempfield Township
D.O.B.; Aug. 1, 1965
EDUCATION: Act 120, Indiana University of PA, Municipal Police Certification; numerous leadership conferences, training seminars, and legal update classes.
OCCUPATION: Police chief, Hempfield Township, 12 years
QUALIFICATIONS: Certified by the minor judiciary board, April 2009, for prospective magisterial district judge; 25 year police veteran; oversaw $600,000 budget and nine employees for 12 years.
QUESTION: As the only candidate certified by the minor judiciary board as a prospective district judge who has a twenty-five year law enforcement background, I have been fair and honest in my experiences working with citizens involved in all types of situations. I feel it is critical for a judge to be neutral and unbiased when making their decisions in all cases, from victims and actors of crimes to landlord/tenant disputes.
Jack M. Walk, Jr.
Hempfield Township
D.O.B.: Aug. 12, 1972
EDUCATION: 2004, Thiel College, Bachelor of the Arts; Present, Slippery Rock University, finishing coursework in May on Masters of the Arts.
OCCUPATION: I am a Supervisor at Keystone Adolescent Center’s Shelter Care facility.
QUALIFICATIONS: I have worked in Juvenile Rehabilitation for the better part of the last decade.
QUESTION: I will serve my district knowing I have a moral responsibility to ensure the constitutional rights of every defendant are preserved and to render judgment without bias or prejudice. I will also ensure violations of both statute and ordinances, once determined, will be prescribed the proper judgment according to the Statute or Law. To serve you in the capacity of Magisterial District Judge would be an absolute honor.
John R. Miller
Pymatuning Township
D.O.B.: Nov. 13, 1949
EDUCATION: 1971 Findlay College, B. S.; 1978 FBI National Academy; 1978 University of VA, 16 semester hours.
OCCUPATION: Chief of Police, Pymatuning Township Police Department
QUALIFICATIONS: Police Officer, 37.5 years; Police Captain, 8 years; Member Mercer County Narcotic Unit, 16 months; Chief of Police, 26 years.
QUESTION: Since 1971 I have dedicated my life to public service. I believe that dealing with criminal justice issues as well as helping people resolve their personal issues have provided me with the unique opportunity to experience life up front and personal. I can confidently state that I could not be better prepared to serve as District Judge. Education, experience, and maturity have shaped my views and will serve as the cornerstone of my dispensed justice.
Title: Small Games of Chance
COOLSPRING TOWNSHIP
Do you favor the issuance of licenses to conduct small games of chance in the Township of Coolspring? Vote “Yes” or “No.”
PERRY TOWNSHIP
Do you favor the issuance of licenses to conduct small games of chance in the Township of Perry? Vote “Yes” or “No.”
Plain English
A “yes” vote means small games of chance are permitted in the township. A “no” vote means small games of chance are not permitted in the township.
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