QUESTION: Why are you running for a seat on the board of supervisors?SKORUPAN: I would like to continue the work the community has accomplished over the past 6 years. We have implemented a Comprehensive Plan that will guide the township through the year 2030. This is a solid plan for implementing smart growth strategies that will supply the necessary infrastructure to maintain Cranberry’s high quality of life, while maintaining our low taxes (no tax increase over the last six years). This we were able to do with the strong public-private partnerships that will be even more important in the future. I want to insure that the home values of our citizens continue to increase because of sound public policies.

MOORE: I’m not totally happy with everything being done in Cranberry Township that the supervisors have control over. I see increased spending in the future and no talk of spending cuts and tax reduction. As a local business owner and lifelong resident I and others are wondering how much is enough? We are now spending even more money to expand our parks and trails. This will do nothing but ensure higher taxes in the future.

MAZZONI: Cranberry has become an economic hub with over 700 businesses and close to 20,000 jobs. Cranberry manages a balanced budget yet continues to invest in our infrastructure and build new roads. Cranberry enjoys low taxes and an excellent quality of life and our latest investment into Graham Park — Dick’s Sporting Complex — is one example. It is vision and good planning that has been the key to Cranberry’s success and if elected I would continue on that path.

STEED: I am at a different stage of life than the other candidates and it is important to have supervisors with diverse experiences and opinions. Married three years ago and both being engineers, my wife and I moved to this township to work, make our home, and raise a family. I want to build on the strong foundation and successes Cranberry Township has had over the years and be a positive influence in southwestern Pennsylvania.

QUESTION: What are the top three issues facing your municipality?SKORUPAN: 1. Managing growth and traffic is a good challenge to have in these tough economic times. We must continue to use the best available technologies to move traffic efficiently. We must continue to work with the state for the improvements needed on our state highways, taking advantage of our experience in public/private partnerships, that is consistent with Governor Corbett’s direction for funding infrastructure improvements.2. Unfunded Mandates: Cranberry has been financially responsible and we must be vigilant against cost shifting from the state and federal governments and speak out against unfunded mandates.3. Maintain Cranberry’s Financial Strength: Cranberry has low taxes and excellent services, with a Moody’s rating of Aa2. I am committed to improving on this excellent rating.

MOORE: Control spending/reduce taxes.Future expansion of Township services.Traffic and road ways.

MAZZONI: Managing Growth: Good planning is important to manage a healthy growth and the Cranberry Plan, our 25-year Comprehensive Plan is the blueprint to healthy growth.Traffic: Route 19, Route 228, Freedom, Rochester, Rowan and Franklin are state roads and are PennDOT and the state’s responsibility, the township is the one that has made most of the improvements to ease traffic.Unfunded Mandates-transferring responsibilities: The state and federal government must take responsibilities of their duties.

STEED: (1) Sustaining the well-rounded residential, commercial, and community growth Cranberry Township has experienced, in a responsible manner.(2) Achieving continuous improvement of transportation infrastructure including the important corridors: US 19, PA228, Freedom Road, and the planned Northwest Connector.(3) The federal, state, and surrounding local financial troubles create challenges for everyone. Cranberry Township must continue to be an attractive place in which to live and do business, resulting in a more independent, self-sustaining economy.

QUESTION: If elected, how would you deal with the financial reality of cutbacks in state and federal aid to your municipality?SKORUPAN: Cranberry Township does not rely on the state or federal government to support our operations. We do take advantage of our state and federal tax dollars to support our capital projects, such as the Freedom Road improvement project. We must continue our efforts that have attracted a variety of businesses that will support a strong diversified tax base that enables us to reinvest in our infrastructure now and into the future, without the reliance on the state or federal governments.

MOORE: Cranberry will need to do what the state and federal government are doing: Cut spending and reduce the cost of government. We have a taxpayer funded golf course that should not be. I also do not think Cranberry should be paying six figure salaries to local government officials and spending thousands of dollars on multicultural welcome signs or banners. We need more corporate involvement at our parks and a smaller, leaner government.

MAZZONI: Cranberry has been very prudent financially in the past to minimize dependency on the state or federal government as much as possible for day to day operation. We have also positioned ourselves with growth to keep our own taxes low, lower than 20 years ago considering inflation. Vision, good planning and leadership have been the key to Cranberry’s success, something that our state and federal government has been missing for too long.

STEED: Fiscally speaking, Cranberry Township remains one of the top performing municipalities in Pennsylvania and is relatively self sufficient. A significant portion of the township’s budget revenue is derived from the earned income and real estate taxes. This highlights the absolute requirement that Cranberry maintain a competitive environment where families’ quality of life is high, residents are prosperous, and businesses thrive. The government has the responsibility to use these funds via a lean, balanced budget.