New county candidate
A new candidate is entering the race for Butler County commissioner, but he plans to run in the fall.
Michael Bagdes-Canning of Cherry Valley announced Wednesday morning that he will run as a Green Party candidate.
“I’ve been hearing the same tired agenda as long as I’ve been in Butler County,” Bagdes-Canning said. “It’s like we’re in Punxsutawney and have to relive Groundhog Day over and over.”
Bagdes-Canning, who has been a borough councilman for 25 years, made his announcement in Diamond Park in Butler.
He said he will need 409 signatures by Aug. 3 to get on the ballot as a third-party candidate.
Natural gas drilling is a key topic for Bagdes-Canning, who is a member of Marcellus Outreach Butler, a group that is concerned about the impact of horizontal natural gas drilling on communities.
He is critical of the 14 candidates’ silence on drilling.
“Why are none of the candidates talking about it,” he asked.
Bagdes-Canning said he wants to begin speaking with residents to hear their concerns.
He said, “This isn’t about me. It’s about us. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I’m not the brains, I’m the mouthpiece for us to take back our government.”
