by justin strawser
staff writer
justin_s@newsitem.com
SHAMOKIN - Tom Aber's ability to work with others and willingness to serve the residents of Northumberland County is why he thinks voters should chose him at the polls in the May 17 primary.
"One of the biggest qualities I have is that I get along with people. I listen to them and hopefully they can return and listen to me. I'm a straight shooter, I don't lie and I don't steal," the 66-year-old Milton father of two adult children said in an interview with The News-Item last week.
Aber is one of seven Republican candidates seeking a position on the Northumberland County Board of Commissioners. In the primary, two Republicans and two Democrats will be nominated, and three of those will be chosen in November.
When he decided to run earlier this year, Aber said he spoke with members of the current board to discuss various issues, including priorities of the county. At the time, Merle Phillips, who
had been chosen last fall to fill the unexpired term of Kurt Masser because Phillips didn't plan to seek a permanent appointment. He has since changed his mind and is one of the Republican candidates, but Aber said that's OK.
"That's his prerogative. I don't have a problem with that," he said of Phillips. "He's a good man and he has the option to do whatever he wants to do."
Calling balls and strikes
Aber said he has no political experience, but he does have a desire to serve his fellow county residents.
In January, due to his decision to run, he retired as a housing inspector with the Northumberland County Housing Authority after four years. He also retired after 12 years as a Milton Borough tax assessor and was formerly the building supervisor/administrator for the Milton Area School District, having retired in 2005.
While Aber is unknown in political circles, that's not the case in Northumberland County athletics, particularly on the softball field. He has been a softball and basketball official for some 45 years, including for NCAA and PIAA, and he was inducted into the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) Hall of Fame.
Aber said a highlight of his officiating career was when he served as home-plate umpire for the U.S. Olympic Softball Team at its exhibition game at Bowman Field in Williamsport, the same day he was inducted into the District IV Coaches Hall of Fame.
He said his experiences in officiating demonstrate his ability to work well with people.
Working together
The county has experienced some high-profile and much-publicized controversies, including Vinny Clausi's dispute that led to the firing of Kymberly Best and Frank Sawicki's errant voice mail message about the possible purchase of the Sunbury Elks building.
Aber said both cases involving current commissioners point to a need to work together.
"It really didn't look good the last couple months with arguing. We're working for the people of Northumberland County whether they're voting or not voting," he said. "We have to do things to benefit the county. Bickering with one another is not the way to go."
The situations could have been handled much better, he believes.
"First you have to sit down with the other two people (commissioners) and say this is what's going to the people, let's get something down, and then I'm going to the public," said Aber. "You just don't go out on your own and the other two are sitting back here not knowing what's happening."
Whether he will work with Clausi, Sawicki, Phillips or one of the new candidates, Aber is confident he will be able to work with anyone. In fact, he said it's his biggest strength.
"You have to be real good work with different people with different personalities," he said, adding as an example, "You have to deal with things differently with Merle than with Vinny."
He would use the same "get-together-and-talk" method to settle outstanding union contracts and to drive economic development.
Asked how he'd accomplish that if the union leaders refuse to negotiate, as been the claim by commissioners, he said perhaps the increase in health care insurance contributions that's been asked for of union members could be accomplished in another way.
"Instead of going back and charging everybody (for more health insurance contribution), they do something with the new hires," he suggested. "Change it for the new people. Change it going forward."
With economic development, a commissioner cannot attract businesses into the county "by sitting on your duffer," he said.
In Milton, he explained, ConAgra Foods - which makes Chef Boyardee products - is what's holding the economy together in the borough. Other businesses including trucking companies, have moved out.
"If we can get someone in there, it would be great," he said, noting the county's unemployment is still between 8 and 9 percent.
Commissioner have to meet and call business leaders, advertise what the communities can offer or provide tax breaks for new businesses, he said.
OHV issue
Aber also discussed the county's involvement with parks and recreation, mentioning how a Turbotville softball field went downhill when the county got involved in ownership.
"I think owning buildings is one thing, but I don't think we should have parks," he said.
On that topic, he was asked if the county should be in the off-highway vehicle park business, as has been proposed for county-owned coal land that stretches across several municipalities in the county's east end.
Aber said he has heard both sides of the debate, but isn't sure yet where he stands. Pressed to choose based on having heard both sides, he said, "I would need more information. Are we setting aside money, and if not, where are we getting the money?" for the project.
Self-funded campaign
Aber's campaign is mostly self-funded, because he said he doesn't want to owe anyone if he reaches his goal of becoming commissioner. He is getting his name out through newspaper interviews and placing signs. He hadn't had any fundraisers scheduled as of late April.
When it comes to mudslinging, he won't have any of it.
"I don't want a smear campaign. I don't want to talk about anyone. I won't do it and I don't like to hear it," he said.
Despite the controversy involving the incumbents, Aber believes they are good at their jobs, or else they wouldn't be there.
"You do what's best - not for Vinny or for Merle or Frank - but for the good of the people," he said.