Area's state candidates greet GOP crowd
PENN TWP — Republican candidates for the state House of Representatives got a chance to introduce themselves Friday at the Butler County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner.
Candidates from two districts, the 12th and the 8th, spoke at the event at the Butler County Club
12th District
Gordon Marburger of Adams Township is running against incumbent Rep. Daryl Metcalfe of Cranberry Township for the GOP nomination in the 12th District.
Marburger said he has been a trustee for the Butler County Community College for 13 years, is a board member for the Butler County Vocational and Technical School and has been a member of the Mars School Board for nine years.
“Why do Marburgers get involved? It's in the spirit of trying to make things better,” Marburger said.
He said he wants to better represent the residents of the 12th District.
He said the state has a funding crisis for pensions for public employees that include teachers. He said despite the increasing pension cost on school districts, the Mars School District has not raised taxes for six years and has no plans to do so this year.
He said if he is elected, he would not accept a state pension.
Metcalfe, who has been in office since 1999, was unable to attend the dinner due to a scheduling conflict.
8th District
Three Republicans are running for the party's nomination in the 8th District. Current Rep. Dick Stevenson of Grove City is retiring.
Tedd Nesbit of Grove City, a private practice attorney and an assistant district attorney for Mercer County, said he has been involved with activities for his four children, has been involved in the Grove City United Way and teaches business classes at the Butler County Community College.
“I look at this as another way to contribute to my community,” Nesbit said.
He said he would be an advocate for Butler and Mercer counties' traditions and values, and said he believes in the right to life, the Second Amendment and the freedom to practice religion.
Jeffrey Black of Grove City, a small-business owner and vice president of the Grove City Borough Council, said he campaigned for Stevenson when he first ran for office.
Black added, “I understand what it really means for municipalities that are really struggling in the commonwealth.”
He said he is pro life, pro gun and pro business development.
Herman Bauer of Franklin Township, a financial controller for Caldon Ultrasonics and chairman of the Franklin Township supervisors, said the supervisors cut property taxes during his time in office, and that he believes in individual liberty and the free market.
He said the three most important issues facing the state are promoting economic development to create more jobs, creating an education system based on learning rather than test scores and maximizing the use of funds for highway and bridge improvement.
“Good infrastructure attracts new business,” Bauer said.
The primary is May 20.
