Voters will elect a Buffalo Township supervisor for six years in the Nov. 5 election from two candidates, Albert Roenigk, a Democrat, and Mike Oehling, who won the Republican nomination by write-in votes in the primary.

The Butler Eagle posed the following questions to the candidates.

QUESTION: Why are you running for election?

ROENIGK: I have enjoyed serving 35 years as a Buffalo Township supervisor. During this time, I have worked to maintain a low property tax millage rate, while providing an acceptable level of services at an affordable price to the people of Buffalo Township.

With my experience, I pledge to continue my common sense-sound judgment style of governing.

OEHLING: I am running for election because I want to give a much needed voice to the people of my township. Our township has the highest millage per household on school tax in the entire county. We can't increase the burden on the taxpayers nor can we cut funding to the schools so we have to find new ways to combat the looming problem.

QUESTION: What are your top three priorities if you win election?

ROENIGK: 1. Keep our tax rate at its present rate of 4½ mills and not burden our citizens with added costs.

2. Work with state officials, and local developers to continue improving our infrastructure of highways, water, sewerage and recreation. We must strive to find help even though there are fewer programs and smaller grants today.

3. Maintain our excellent public works department, which includes the police, the road department, and administrative staff.

OEHLING: My first priority after being elected is to establish a chamber of commerce. This is pretty much a no-brainer for our township and should have been done years ago. It will allow the community's business owners to network and keep revenue localized. By allowing our small businesses to network with each other, it will create more revenue to lessen the burden on taxpayers. Many of our roads require maintenance as well and the funds simply aren't there. After I get elected, the board and I are going to go line by line down the budget to cut wasteful spending and establish fiscal conservatism.

QUESTION: What part should local government play in overseeing natural gas drilling activity in your municipalities, including how impact fee money should be spent?

ROENIGK: We have required excessive bonding with present and future drillers and pipeline contractors for damage that could occur to township roads. With fewer dollars and higher costs for road improvement, the township has still gained upgrades to affected township highways. Also, our fire department has met with drilling officials to understand the process and make any necessary emergency plans. We make sure that water testing and safety regulations are implemented.

Impact fees are incorporated into the general fund to supplement all our township departments.

OEHLING: I support local drilling but we should make the industry report every so often to make sure they aren't harming our water supply. That being said, as long as all regulations are being followed, the impact fee money could be spent a few ways. New school construction has been proposed for our high school and funds could be applied there. The funds could also be allocated for our road crews. It will ultimately be decided by what will best affect the township.