NORTHUMBERLAND - Both Democrat candidates for the 11th Congressional District visited here Saturday evening as part of the Sunbury Area Democratic Committee Annual Spring Dinner at the Front Street Station.
Gene Stilp, Dauphin area, best known as a critic of the Pennsylvania Legislature and as the keeper of the 25-foot pink pig that he says represents waste and greed in government, and attorney Bill Vinsko of Wilkes-Barre, are facing each other in the Democratic primary for the right to battle U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta in the general election.
Starting in 2013, the 11th Congressional District will encompass most of Northumberland County, from Sunbury east and south.
If either Stilp or Vinsko is victorious in the primary and general election, one of
them will have jurisdiction over the 11th District. Both men are confident they're the man for the job.
"This area is noted for a hard work ethic, and I share that. When I go to Washington, I will cross the aisle and get things done," Vinsko said.
"I'm trying to lead things forward. My best quality is leadership," Stilp offered as both men were interviewed prior to Saturday's dinner.
Vinsko's goals are to work to create jobs and improve the economy and protect Social Security and Medicare. He has legislation in mind that would hold municipal and other government agencies responsible for fixing roads, bridges and other transportation systems without just a "Band-Aid fix."
Another focus will be on education, in which he would introduce legislation to allow teachers to provide their views on what tools they need to perform their job effectively. "I'm ready to hit the ground running," Vinsko said.
Stilp said Shamokin and surrounding areas get redistricted a lot, and said he's committed to paying "more attention to the area than any congressman in the past."
His goals are to create jobs, to fight for the rights of senior citizens and the middle class and cut harsh regulations for small businesses.
He said he has fought in the past against unfair business and Bush administration taxes and will continue to do so if elected.
"I will fight this insanity," he said. "I fought it as a citizen, and now I'll fight it as a congressman."
Stilp said he also is a strong supporter of keeping the environment clean - water, air and land preservation included.
"I will do everything in my power for the environment," he said.
In the end, whether he wins or loses, "We're all Democrats," Vinsko said.
"We need to unite. This is a chance for the people of Pennsylvania to have a congressman who will work for the people," he said.
However, Stilp said he's the only candidate - Democrat or Republican - who will live inside the lines once redistricting happens, which is a flaw he considers fatal.
"I'm a leader. I will fight for taxpayers. I don't back down. And I will need a bigger pink pig," he said.
The event brought 41 people, including candidates, into the restaurant.
Deborah Howell, committee chair, said the group meets on the fourth Monday of every month at the Degenstein Community Library, Sunbury.
"I think they (the candidates) have a good chance. People are tired of the Republican ruling with business hands," she said.
State Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-95), candidate for auditor general, was also at the event and spoke before dinner.
"We need someone tough, fair and independent to hold the Corbett Administration accountable," he said.
DePasquale is the only Democrat in the primary election. Running on the Republican side are John Maher and Frank Pinto. Term limits for the current auditor general, Jack Wagner, prevent him from seeking re-election.
Before Gov. Corbett was elected, DePasquale considered running for office, but said he wasn't wealthy and couldn't take off work - but then he heard the governor's first budget address.
"I said, I got to do something about this," he told the area Democrats. "So I've put 40,000 miles on my car and I've been campaigning in every corner of the state."
On his first day if elected in November, he said he is committed to ordering a review of all water protection programs in the state, which drew a round of applause from his listeners.
He also promised to order a performance audit on job creation programs, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education.
"The cuts to public education are devastating in the long run," he said.
He described the auditor general as an independent office, a position that acts as a "watch dog" over the governor.
Rodger Babnew, Northumberland County Democratic chairman, said it was a "great idea" to have the candidates come to meet people of the county.
"The more the Republican candidates attack women and labor, our chances go up," he said.
Vinsko noted the "fantastic job" Babnew and the Democratic party is doing in the county.
"I'm proud of them and their work. They are the backbone of the party," he said. "I want to publicly thank them. They are the reason this county is going to succeed."
Other candidates at the dinner included Phil Scollo, for the 10th Congressional District; Ted Yeager, for the 107th; and Dan Sweeney, of Sunbury, who is leading a write-in campaign for the 108th District.
All of Northumberland County is currently in the 10th district, and the portion from the borough of Northumberland north will remain there. The redrawn 11th includes all or part of eight other counties - Carbon, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Luzerne, Montour, Perry and Wyoming.
(See Monday's edition of The News-Item for more coverage of the committee dinner.)
State Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-95), candidate for auditor general, shows the members of the Sunbury Area Democratic Committee and Democratic candidates one of his fliers during the Annual Spring Dinner Saturday evening at Front Street Station, Northumberland. State Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-95), candidate for auditor general, was the opening speaker at the Sunbury Area Democratic Committee's Annual Spring Dinner Saturday evening at Front Street Station, Northumberland.