Two Center Township candidates are running in Tuesday's election for a six-year term to replace Supervisor Ron Flatt, who is not seeking reelection.

Republican nominee Don Pringle and Democratic nominee Phil C. Heasley will be vying for votes to become a supervisor.

Pringle hopes the third time is the charm. The election marks his third run at a supervisor's seat.

“I believe in Center Township. That's why I did it again,” Pringle said.

The owner of a timber and sawmill business, a husband and father of two grown children, Pringle said he wants to restore faith in government by listening to residents.

“Where we're lacking in Center Township is listening to the residents,” Pringle said. “I think we need to be more transparent in listening to what residents what. I want to be that change. I want to put faith back in our government.”

He said he has been attending township supervisors meetings for many years and has noticed that some residents leave the meetings frustrated because the supervisors don't seem to listen to them.

“I need to listen to what the residents want. That's the most important thing,” Pringle said. “I'm a blank slate going forward. We have to listen to the residents. I don't think we're doing that as of right now. I work for residents.”

Through work, he said he has experience obtaining permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection and obtaining bonds for hauling loads on roads throughout the state.

“I think I can help with roads and permitting,” he said.

Pringle said his campaign has consisted mostly of placing signs around the township. He said he has met with residents in their homes when they have invited him to talk, but he didn't go door-to-door out of concern for COVID-19.

Heasley, who ran last year against state Rep. Tim Bonner to represent the 8th District in the House of Representatives, said he is a lifelong township resident who wants changes.

“I've always had a deep passion for the township. It's the same reason I ran for state representative,” Heasley said. “I've always wanted to see change happen.”

He said residential development is growing throughout the township and the supervisors should take steps to make sure residents want to stay.

The township adopted a comprehensive plan in 2011, but hasn't carried out any of its recommendations, he said.

One of those recommendations, he said, is to create parks without raising taxes.

“We need to make sure we have something to keep people inside our township,” Heasley said.

Another recommendation in the plan is to make walking and biking trails that connect housing developments around the Clearview Mall to the mall, he said.

The plan calls for a community park to be built on Route 8 north of the mall.

“We've had this comprehensive plan since 2011. It's just the board is so divided, we can't move forward with it,” Heasley said.

He said he wants to rebrand the township as “business friendly and open for business” and find ways to attract business. He said many businesses on Route 8 and in the Clearview Mall have closed.

Heasley said he would like to talk to the mall's owners about using grant money to build a community center in the mall.

The township has a large tax base and those projects can be done without rasing taxes, he said.

He said he wants to use the $400,000 the township received in federal coronavirus relief funds this year and the same amount that it will receive next year to plan outdoor recreation spaces.

“I really think right now is the right time for some really innovative ideas in our township. There's a lot of opportunity. We need people with fresh ideas to move these ideas forward,” Heasley said.

Heasley is the second generation of his family to own Butler Gymnastic Club.