Candidates for the 23rd state Senate, 83rd state House, and 5th and 10th Congressional districts responded to questions from an audience at Lycova Grange on Friday night .
Each candidate could offer opening and closing statements during the political forum sponsored by the Lycoming County Pomona Grange.
Gun laws, tolling of Interstate 80 and taxes were among the issues considered by state Senate candidates.
Republican candidate E. Eugene Yaw called the tolling of I-80 the “biggest mistake” and criticized his Republican opponent, state Rep. Steven W. Cappelli, R-Williamsport, for voting in favor of tolls.
He said the way to control spending is to consider all the pools of spending in Harrisburg, including the gambling money initially meant to go toward property tax relief.
Cappelli acknowledged his vote in favor of tolls, but quickly made it clear that the legislation has little chance of passing. In fact, he said Gov. Rendell is pushing hard to lease the state turnpike as a means of generating revenues for bridges and roads, the same as tolls would do.
Cappelli called himself a supporter of the National Rifle Association, an avid bow hunter and a conservationist.
He said he supports affordable health insurance, job creation and strong infrastructure for the region.
Doug McLinko referred to his experience as a township supervisor, Bradford County commissioner, chamber of commerce president and businessman.
He said too often voters send people to Harrisburg to make bad decisions.
He said he favors affordable health care and lower taxes and opposes I-80 tolls.
“What were these people thinking?” he said with regard to tolls. “Leasing (the turnpike) is certainly an option.”
He said as a commissioner he helped push for a tax-cutting plan that worked.
Louis Casimer, the lone Senate Democratic candidate, referred to his background as a Lewisburg Borough councilman and as a member of the Lewisburg Business and Professional Association.
Casimer, an acupuncturist with an office in Lewisburg, called for working together.
“I’d like to see if we can do more at the state level,” he said. “We need some new approaches and we need some common sense behind them.”
He said leasing the turnpike is not the solution to raising revenue for roads and bridges.
The five candidates for the 83rd state House discussed issues ranging from the economy to property taxes.
Democrat Mark Holt said the Chesapeake Bay initiative and the tolling of I-80 are among the more pressing issue facing the district.
“We already pay gas fees to pay for highways,” he said, in speaking against tolls.
He said a more fair means of taxation must be used to replace property taxes.
Holt also said he supports the open records law.
Rick Mirabito, a city landlord and businessman, said he learned integrity, honesty and a strong work ethic as one of five children raised by a single mother.
The Democratic candidate said all generations have an obligation to help move society forward.
“Turn your problems into opportunities,” he said.
He said he supported the open records law two years ago when he ran for state House and favors an even stronger version than the one recently passed by the Legislature.
Rebecca A. Burke cited her accomplishments and leadership as a Lycoming County commissioner, her strong work ethic and her government experience.
Burke said she is against tolling I-80.
She said one of the means of attracting business to the area is to have in place strong infrastructure and access to broadband.
Republican David Huffman, a sales manager for Durdach Brothers, Paxinos, said he speaks as a Republican first and a candidate second.
“What does the Republican party stand for?” he asked. “For the last few years, it’s been hard to figure out what the GOP is all about.”
While a member of the Williamsport Area School Board, he never voted for any tax hikes, he said.
Huffman also said he is against gun control and will refuse a pay raise and a state pension if elected.
Dorothy “Dottie” White cited her experience as a Loyalsock Township tax collector, auditor and business manager.
She said she favors affordable health care and opposes I-80 tolls.
White said one means of bringing new jobs to the area would involve asking business owners who formerly were located here why they left.
“I would work with other officials, bring municipalities together,” she added.
She said businesses are hurt by property taxes.
“It’s a significant issue to most people,” she said.
The 10th Congressional candidates Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser took turns taking questions on the economy, the Iraq War and other issues.
Both of the Republicans called themselves businessmen who have successfully brought jobs to the area and each touted their conservative values.
“I think it’s time we took our country back,” Hackett said.
Hackett said he is pro-life and in favor of lower taxes.
“We need to move to a flat tax for our country,” he said.
He lashed out against earmarks used by politicians to curry favor with voters.
Both candidates said they were not in favor of the McCain-Feingold campaign financing reform measure.
Hackett called it an infringement of rights.
“McCain-Feingold is a train wreck. It’s over-regulation by the federal government,” Meuser said.
Meuser said the country needs to work harder to tap alternative fuels and other energy sources.
“We also need to engage better as a nation in conservation,” he said.
Hackett said energy sources should be market-driven.
“We have not built a refinery in the U.S. since 1976 due to environmental concerns,” he added.
Meuser said taxes have been a burden to the state and the nation.
“We don’t need new taxes, we need reductions in spending.”
U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock, the incumbent candidate did not attend the debate.
The 5th Congressional candidates each had a chance to discuss their views as well.
Democratic candidate Bill Cahir referred to his experience as a journalist and Iraq War veteran.
The Bellefonte resident said health care increases have a big impact on small businesses.
Republican Chris Exarchos of Centre County cited his business experience, scientific background and government service, including as a county commissioner.
Rising gasoline prices and the overall energy crisis, he said, are big problems today.
Democratic candidate Mark McCracken asked the audience to consider which candidates possess the attributes of being a U.S. House member.
“I have experience working with government officials and balancing budgets,” said McCracken, a Clearfield County commissioner.
Republican Keith Richardson cited his experience as a clergyman and a lawyer.
He said he stands for conservative fiscal and social values, including pro-life, pro-family issues.
Republican Matt Shaner, a State College businessman, said the economy is the number one issue. He also cited the need for energy independence, solving high health care costs, and keeping tax cuts permanent.
Jeff Stroehmann, a former Woodward Township supervisor and a local businessman, said he believes in putting the needs of veterans first.
“You’ve heard of post-traumatic stress disorder. Why don’t they talk about that now in D.C.?” the Republican candidate asked.
Republican Glenn Thompson, a Susquehanna Health manager and Centre County resident, said he has a proven record of service in government service, volunteer work and business.
“Trust me when I say service is part of my life,” he said.
Fifth Congressional candidates not attending the debate were Republicans John Krupa, John Stroup, Derek Walker, Lou Radkowski and Democrat Rick Vilello.
