Sparks fly as 23rd state Senate seat candidates square off

By R.A. WALKER rwalker@sungazette.com
There were fireworks on the stage of the Community Arts Center Tuesday night — political fireworks of the kind generated by a competitive primary election race entering its last week.

Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko and state Rep. Steven W. Cappelli, R-Williamsport, took aim at Lycoming County solicitor Gene Yaw when a question submitted by an unknown person in the audience raised the issue of campaign “sportsmanship” near the end of a forum for 23rd District state Senate candidates.

The forum was sponsored by the Sun-Gazette, Backyard Broadcasting and the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and drew all four candidates for the seat of retiring state Sen. Roger Madigan, R-Towanda.

Three Republicans are locked in a struggle for their party’s nomination, and McLinko and Cappelli made clear they feel Yaw has crossed the line in his advertising.

McLinko said his campaign has been “clean” and will remain that way. Cappelli said his campaign has been based on the issues and his record.

Yaw was attacked by both over recent advertisements, as well as for alleged incidents his opponents believe to be campaign-related.

Cappelli called a tip to police that resulted in one of his campaign officials being pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk “nothing short of shameful,” and McLinko was outraged by advertising that played up the fact there once were liens against his former business for back taxes.

McLinko called the advertising “muckraking” and said all taxes eventually were paid, adding that the liens were filed while his business was struggling and didn’t have the available money to pay them on time.

“I’ve never been arrested,” he said. “I’ve never been bankrupt.”

Cappelli called ads attacking his record and the unfounded DUI tip “despicable.”

“You deserve better,” he said.

“It’s presenting what the facts are,” Yaw said of the advertising, adding that the DUI tip was not made by a man on his payroll or with a position on his campaign staff. After the forum he challenged both opponents to point out one thing in his advertising that is not true.

The fourth participant, Democrat Louis “Trey” Casimir of Lewisburg kept clear of the controversy and seemed to have a relaxed, enjoyable evening.

The accusations of negative campaigning aside, the rest of the forum stuck to issues.

Yaw stressed his years of service as an attorney for the county, local school districts and Pennsylvania College of Technology and described himself as the only candidate who is a veteran.

“First of all, I’m not a career politician,” he said.

Cappelli stressed his eight years in the state Legislature and, before that, as city mayor.

McLinko stressed his record as a spendthrift county commissioner and said he was running “to help the Republican Party find its soul again in Harrisburg.”

Casimir noted his good luck of being assured to be part of the general election campaign and chance to make many more trips into the area over the next seven or eight months.

On the issue of tax reform, McLinko said he supports tax reform but said taxes are not as much of a problem as government spending “too much money.”

Cappelli said property tax reform may be close to occurring after years of debate in the Legislature but he also called for a state constitutional convention to give the state’s voters the right to vote on issues like the elimination of the property tax.

Yaw said the best tax plan is a mixture of sales, personal income and property taxes and making sure taxpayers get “value for (their) money.”

Cappelli took hits on the tolling of Interstate 80, although he claimed it is unlikely to get federal approval.

Yaw said Cappelli voted for Act 44, which “is right now a law of the state” and calls for tolling the interstate. “That does not sound to me like it’s a dead issue,” he said.

Casimir suggested tolling new infrastructure, like bridges and roads, but only until the work is paid for.

McLinko called the proposal to toll Interstate 80 a mistake and termed it “just incredible” Cappelli voted for it.

“It shows how out of touch Harrisburg is,” he said.

About the Interstate 80 tolling proposal and other issues McLinko regularly expressed the view that “government doesn’t create jobs” and solve problems, ”government just messes (things) up.” He argued that free enterprise should be less taxed and less regulated.

All the candidates agreed violent prisoners need to be punished but that the state’s prison system is becoming too big and costly and alternative punishments for non-violent offenders should be considered to help control the growing inmate population.

They also seemed to agree about the need to find alternative energy sources to help lessen the impact of gas and home heating fuel cost increases.

The need for more jobs was a common topic. Casimir suggested that smaller employers are as important as larger ones. Cappelli said a fairer tax system is needed that doesn’t crush larger employers. Yaw called for repeal of Act 44 and the plan to toll Interstate 80.

McLinko said he has spent his life “cutting costs” as a businessman and elected official.

The Chesapeake Bay cleanup initiative and its burden on communities along the Susquehanna River prompted McLinko to promise he wouldn’t vote “to hand unfunded mandates down to the local level.”

“It should be funded entirely by the federal government,” said Cappelli.

Yaw noted how the bay has been called a “national treasure” and said the federal government needs to step in and help the states.

McLinko said he won’t vote for “any tax increases” if elected and “would attack spending.” Cappelli stressed his experience and said the state budget “is always the biggest battle” in Harrisburg. His role, he said, is to make sure his district gets its share.

“You spend within your budget,” said Yaw. “If you don’t have the money, you don’t spend.”

In the end, the night came down to the allegations of negative campaigning tactics and tension among the three Republicans.

McLinko and Cappelli shook hands as the event ended, but Cappelli did not approach Yaw. McLinko moved toward Yaw, however, and the two shook hands before exiting the stage.

Questioned afterward, the three Republicans maintained their positions and showed that the tensions between them are deep rooted.