Commissioner hopefuls square off
BUTLER TWP — The five candidates for Butler County commissioner faced each other down in debate Thursday night.
The candidates — Republicans Leslie Osche and Kim Geyer, Democrats Jerry Johnston and Kevin Boozel, and Michael Bagdes-Canning of the Green Party — spoke in front of about 60 people at the Succop Theater at the Butler County Community College.
They answered questions written by the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
When asked about how the county can help both the millennial generation and senior citizens, Bagdes-Canning of Cherry Valley spoke about seeing a swirling red cloud a few days ago. He said it was a flaring Marcellus Shale natural gas well, and said that is not good for people, particularly the elderly and the young.He said he would like to look at how the county uses its state gas drilling impact fees.“I would try and take the impact fees for drilling and set up a department of health,” Bagdes-Canning said.Johnston of Butler Township said the key to keeping millennials in the county is developing education and job training programs.“Education is key,” Johnston said.For seniors, he said the county senior centers — which had their hours reduced this year — need to stay open and to take the input of the seniors into account.Geyer of Adams Township said the county needs to look to the future to keep the young and old here. She mentioned creating an environment for making new jobs as a way to meet the needs of the younger population.Osche of Butler Township said that growth in the private sector can help seniors, noting that places like Concordia, Passavant and St. John's do a great job of helping. For services that private companies cannot provide, she said county human services can step in.Boozel of Mercer Township said both populations are growing and the county needs to look at the unique needs that both are seeking.
When asked about how the county can deal with state and federal funding cuts for county programs, Boozel said that the state still has not passed a budget and the county's human services are facing difficulties. He said the county needs to look at its budget now.“The more efficient we are now, the less cuts we have to make in the future,” Boozel said.He said the county needs to make sure its residents are not left out in any cuts it makes.Geyer said that when cuts have to be considered, the county needs to focus on the quality, not quantity, of its services. Prioritization is important, she said.“Government cannot be all things to all people,” Geyer said.Johnston said he could not speculate on what programs may need to be cut, but he said the commissioners need to talk with state legislators and advocate on the county's behalf.Osche agreed that going to the legislators is important. She also said that the county has to listen to its residents to set priorities.“If the government can't provide it, the community will provide it,” Osche said.Bagdes-Canning spoke about the government-mandated 911 radio upgrades, which could cost the county up to $13 million. He said the county's emergency bands will be taken away by the federal government and auctioned off, which he did not like.“What is ours should remain ours,” Bagdes-Canning said.
When asked about priorities for the county budget, Johnston said one of the most important items is the 911 radio upgrades. He said the county is going to have to pay for the upgrades and help volunteer fire departments pay for theirs.“This is a safety issue that affects every single person in the county,” Johnston said.He also said the county needs to build up its fund balance and to use some of its state gas drilling impact fees to help the residents in the Woodlands neighborhood in Connoquenessing Township, some of whom have been without running water for several years.Bagdes-Canning also mentioned the residents of the Woodlands, saying that their lack of water, according to the “best science,” is due to gas drilling.“They should not have to wait one more day for water,” Bagdes-Canning said.Boozel said the 911 radio upgrades will be important, saying that the county needs to keep firefighters safe. He said he has written to U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey about this issue and has not received responses.Geyer also talked about the 911 radios. She said she has seen a federal audit showing that there have been inconsistent standards among federal agencies about the radios, and said agencies have spent $500 billion on radios that are inoperable.Because of this, she said the county needs to be careful when considering buying radios.Osche said, “We need to make sure we are asking very critical questions in the budgetary process.”
When asked about the county's role in economic development, Johnston said that 75 percent of business expansion comes from existing businesses, but he noted that 50 percent of jobs created by startup businesses are lost within five years.So, he said the county should focus on the companies that already operate here.“I think economic development ought to be this board's number one priority,” Johnston said.Osche said economic development is critical, and the county needs to make sure government is aligned to help serve businesses.“We want to keep them here,” Osche said.Bagdes-Canning spoke out against what he called aid for dependent corporations, saying the county instead should focus on helping local businesses.“How about we invest in our local entrepreneurs?” Bagdes-Canning asked.Geyer said government cannot produce jobs, but public-private collaborations can help.“Our greatest asset here in Butler County are the people who live and work here,” Geyer said.Boozel said development takes a coordinated effort, saying that there can be many barriers to employment.
Geyer, who is the administrative assistant to Commissioner Chairman Bill McCarrier and the co-owner of Geyer Construction, touted her experience and advocacy.“I'm the only one on the panel who currently is involved in county government,” Geyer said.Osche, the former executive director of the United Way of Butler County, said the election is about the residents of the county, and what they want out of the commissioners.“I think this election is not about us. It's about you,” Osche said.Bagdes-Canning, who has been vice president of the Cherry Valley council for 26 years and is involved in Marcellus Outreach Butler, said Democrats and Republicans are good people, but the parties are basically the same. He said he will listen to voters.“If you're perfectly happy with the status quo ... then I'm not your candidate,” Bagdes-Canning said.Boozel, project manager for PA 211 Southwest and president of the Butler County Fire Chiefs Association, said he has been planning his run for seven years, and is doing it for the residents.“This is not a retirement job. This jobs needs a lot of dedication, effort, spunk,” Boozel said.Johnston, who is the marketing coordinator for BC3's off campus sites, said that the commissioners will have to cooperate and be realistic about what they can accomplish. He said he has three reasons for running — his three granddaughters.
