Congressional candidate touts leadership skills

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Glenn Thompson believes cost-effective solutions, smaller government and fewer taxes are the keys to working successfully on behalf of 5th Congressional District residents.

The Republican candidate said his leadership skills and work experience are among the necessary ingredients for him to take over the seat long held by U.S. Rep. John E. Peterson, R-Pleasantville.

"I know rural Pennsylvania," Thompson told Williamsport Rotary Club members during their weekly luncheon on Monday. "The 5th is one of the most rural districts in the country. And, that's fine with me."

Thompson of Howard Township in Clinton County offered his thoughts on subjects ranging from the Iraq War to the government's economic bailout, but not before sharing a bit of his personal background.

He referred to his many years in health care, including his work as an EMT, therapist and later as rehabilitation services manager at Susquehanna Health.

He said he learned vital lessons from those experiences - tackling difficult challenges and figuring out root causes to problems.

Thompson alluded to his community service as a firefighter, Boy Scout leader and school board member, all of which helped him learn important leadership skills.

"I'm not looking for a new career," he said. "I'm committed to work for your family's future."

In fact, just a year ago, he was not even considering a run for Congress, he said.

After finishing first among a field of nine candidates in the Republican primary, Thompson is facing Democrat Mark McCracken and Independent James Fryman in the November election.

He said the nation needs a comprehensive energy plan and quality education for students without the tax burdens needed to fund it.

In the 5th District alone, there are energy resources to tap.

He made it clear that he does not embrace the No Child Left Behind program in public schools.

"It prepares students to do well on specific test questions," he said.

It also emphasizes preparing all students for four-year colleges, which are not for everyone.

Thompson said schools are burdened by too many federal mandates and, in some cases, not funded for them.

He said the key to quality education is cooperation among parents, teachers, administrators and school boards.

He called for the backing of U.S. troops in Iraq.

"I support our mission. For whatever reasons we went in, that's history," he said, noting that he is the father of a soldier wounded in Iraq.

He noted he is supported by the National Right to Life Coalition.

Thompson said he is against the bailout packages.

The recently passed Congressional plan, he said, fails to adequately protect taxpayers and wrongly protects existing severance packages for chief executive officers of financial institutions.

"It (bailout) didn't go far enough to hold people accountable," he said.

He said he would have favored, among other provisions, slashing the capital gains tax.

Thompson said he promises to always put people over politics and to speak candidly.

Chris Hackett, Republican candidate for 10th Congress, also was scheduled to speak but was unable to attend.