Lycoming County commissioner candidate Anthony Mussare Monday told the Williamsport Rotary Club his personal and political views align well with those of Rotary International.
"I stand on the same principals that Rotary stands on," Mussare said.
Mussare, a Republican and lifelong resident of South Williamsport, said the organization's four tests to determine if an action or statement is ethical "should be a litmus test for all candidates and politicians."
Mussare said the tests - Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? - are powerful, as is the organization's motto, "service before self."
Mussare said he researched the Rotary Club and discovered it and civic organizations like it were founded by "hard working people who recognized the difference between a need and a want."
Government today does not seem to understand the difference between the two, he said, adding, "We can no longer tolerate that."
Mussare promised he will bring transparency to county government.
"You will always know where I stand," he said.
Mussare also promised help facilitate job growth and create an advisory board to provide municipal officials with a forum for voicing the needs of their communities.
He has owned his own business for 25 years. Before that, he was employed by UPS for 14 years, he said.
"If anyone knows UPS, you'd understand they are committed to service," he said.
As a businessman, "you do a lot, see a lot and meet a lot of people," he said.
About five years ago, Mussare, who always has been civic minded, decided to up the ante with his community service.
He joined the Lions Club, worked with the neighborhood crime watch and now serves as president of the Greater Williamsport Landlords Association.
In the latter capacity, Mussare said he has seen the impacts the natural gas industry has had on the availability of affordable housing.
"It's very difficult, especially for the local safety net organizations," he said. "They're having a hard time placing people."
Because federal and state governments are shifting the responsibility for more and more services to the county level, it essential to have strong leadership locally, Mussare said.
It also is important for citizens to let leaders on all levels of government know what they feel about certain issues before they vote on those issues, he said.
"Our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be impacted by the decisions made today," he said.
