KULPMONT - Northumberland County commissioner hopeful Stephen Bridy offered more criticism of the incumbents during the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce's Meet the Candidates Forum Monday at the St. Pauline Visintainer Center.
The incumbents, meanwhile, stuck to their scripts and did not address Bridy's comments when they spoke.
"Mr. (Vinny) Clausi in our last forum (Thursday night at Montour County Courthouse) said, 'We just go day by day," said Bridy.
"Leaders have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I will not fail the taxpayers."
Bridy, who is now an Independent but late last year- sought the Republican nomination that eventually went to Merle H. Phillips, also criticized Clausi's reaction to questions on lawsuits. Clausi said lawsuits are something that will always exist.
"Sure he can laugh, because he's not defending these suits with his own money. He's using our money," Bridy said Monday.
Bridy also said the incumbent commissioners are trapped in a two-party system and serve their parties' agendas rather than the people.
Clausi, a Democrat, who defended himself against Bridy's charges at two forums last week, kept his comments brief Monday. Asked to respond after the forum, Clausi said his record speaks for itself.
"You have to be in county government to know what's going on. It's not worth my time," he said.
Clausi in the May primary had addressed lawsuit expenses regarding the case of two fired deputy sheriffs by saying he wanted to use the county's insurance carrier as legal defense under the $25,000 premium, but it was decided against his wishes that then-assistant solicitor Kymberley Best would handle it instead, a direction Clausi said will be more expensive. Also, he said the county would send the wrong message if it didn't defend itself for the firings, which stemmed from allegations that the deputies were viewing Internet pornography at work.
11 candidates speak
Bridy and Clausi were among 11 candidates for countywide office to address a crowd of 35 people at Monday's event. Each candidate was given five minutes to speak.
Political newcomer Rich Shoch, a Sunbury lawyer, said he has worked in management positions for several major financial institutions, including in a "watchdog" role, and came back to his roots to establish a private law practice that now includes work with local municipalities as a solicitor. So, while this is his first time seeking elected office, he does have experience as a public official, Shoch noted, including under difficult circumstances.
Ultimately, there are two kinds of people when it comes to public office, he said, those who shy away from it and those who like the challenge. Shoch, a Republican, said he has learned he represents the latter.
Phillips, an incumbent Republican, reviewed his background, from his time as a Marine to his days as a food manufacturer that served the airline industry to his 31 years as a state legislator. He said he has tried to cut spending and otherwise save money since his appointment.
"With my government and business experience, I can do the job as county commissioner," he said.
Clausi said he has been a part of a board that refinanced bonds, reworked contracts and took other bold steps that have sought to rid the county of corruption and save taxpayers millions of dollars.
"I need a book" to detail it all, he said.
He asked voters to give him another term to finish the job.
"My record speaks for itself. The press publicizes what I do, and I'm going to leave it like that," he said.
The third incumbent, Democrat Frank Sawicki, said he distributed business cards four years ago when he ran listing on the back six goals, including retaining fiscal responsibility and focusing the county's limited resources to provide core government services. He encouraged voters to review those goals.
"That's how I should be judged," he said. "Look at my goals and you'll see in your heart that I did a good job."
Sheriff, treasurer races
Timothy G. Zerbe, Republican challenger for sheriff, said he has the experience in law enforcement to handle the job. As sheriff, he would serve on the county prison board, and his experience in his current job would serve the county well, he said.
As for the sheriff's department, every issue "would be looked into and dealt with immediately. Nothing would be put aside, and no excuses would be made," Zerbe said. Instead of looking out for his or his department's reputation, every decision made would be based on ethics and morals, he said.
Incumbent Democratic Sheriff Chad A. Reiner said he has the experience and education to continue his role. In more than a decade of law enforcement, he said has been involved in the arrest of more than 8,000 criminals in relation to drugs, murder, rape, theft, robbery and other offenses.
He said he is most proud of implementing a K-9 program, which has taken $265,000 worth of narcotics off the streets and "out of the hands of our children."
Democratic Sandy Winhofer, challenger for treasurer, cited her background in financial-related jobs, including in the county district attorney, controller and treasurer's offices, and as manager of a bank branch and director of the chamber. She relinquished her chamber role for Monday's event because of its political nature.
She said she has "a unique mixture of public, private and professionalism" for the job.
Incumbent Treasurer Kevin P. Gilroy, a Republican who was appointed to the position upon the retirement of Ronald Chamberlain 15 months ago, said he has 30 years of banking experience, including working with accounts as big as the county's budget.
In the last 15 months as treasurer, Gilroy said he has staffed the office with employees with banking experience, cross-trained them and implemented policies that allow the office to function like a bank, including with necessary checks and balances.
Unopposed DA, controller
District Attorney Tony Rosini, who is running unopposed on both tickets, has been in office since 1996. He said he is proud of his three secretarial staff members and five assistant district attorneys, who are likely to take on 1,500 cases by the end of the year.
Controller Tony Phillips, also unopposed, said he realized he was the "new kid on the block" after being appointed by the governor following the resignation of Chuck Erdman earlier this year. But he said he promises to always be transparent in handling the public's money.
Under his leadership, the controller's office budget was reduced by $56,000, and he is likely to come in under budget at year's end, he said.
"The interest of the taxpayer is my No. 1 priority," Phillips said.
Also present was Alisha Herb, chief registrar for the county election office, who provided sample ballots, candidate financial report forms and other election information.
The forum was sponsored by The News-Item. Master of ceremonies was Warren Altomare, vice president of the chamber's Mount Carmel region, who reminded the candidates, "you are serving us."