Oct 31, 2003 By Patty Shultz 6 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – City voters will have a choice in who will represent them on council when they enter the polling booth on Tuesday. While the matter appeared to be determined following the May primary that Democratic candidates Charles Matthews and Brad Geyer would fill the vacancies being created with the departure of council members Judy Keller and John Whalen, the field was re-opened when Independent candidates Dale Chess and Dennis McKendry tossed their respective hats into the political arena in April.

“I did not want to challenge the incumbents,” said McKendry of his delay in entering the council race. “I didn’t find out (Keller and Whalen were not seeking re-election) until it was too late to put together a campaign, so I decided to wait.”

McKendry said he is in a position to be a full-time council member and will dedicate himself to furthering the revitalization of the downtown business district.

McKendry is a retired nursing assistant and maintenance engineer from Highlands Hospital where he was employed for 20 years.

“The groundwork for revitalization has been laid by the present administration and I would like to see that move ahead,” he said.

McKendry said if elected he would work with other members of the panel to also revise outdated ordinances and have them enforced throughout the city.

Although there has been speculation that he is not supportive of the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co., McKendry said he would fairly weigh any matter brought before the council by the volunteer fire company or any organization.

“I’m not anti-New Haven Hose,” he said. “Any organization that would come before council requesting funding I would ask for some justification for the financing asked for and justification for the need.

“Accountability is the issue. I’m not against giving them an amount, but I want to know how it will be spent.”

McKendry said he would also forge a good working relationship with his fellow council members.

“It takes teamwork to accomplish any and all agendas that serve the best interest of our city,” he said. “Without this vital element, Connellsville cannot move forward.”

Geyer, a political science major at California University of Pennsylvania, said he believes that his year long attendance at council and other city agency meetings, budget workshops and ongoing participation in various community activities have given him a good understanding of city government.

“The biggest issue facing council right now is money or the lack thereof,” he said. “We need to focus on bringing businesses to Connellsville which will bring in the needed revenues.”

To encourage business development, said Geyer, the city needs to reactivate the Downtown Business Authority and work with the city chamber of commerce.

“Council needs to promote, not stifle, entrepreneurs,” he said. “By encouraging local businesses to invest in Connellsville, our town’s existing businesses will grow and new business will develop.

“Let’s capitalize on our natural resources. We have a beautiful river and bike trail. Why don’t we have a bait shop along the river for the fishermen?”

If elected, Geyer said he would support all city emergency departments, including New Haven and would carefully consider the financial needs of the agencies.

“I will be accountable to the taxpayers when I am spending their dollars,” he said.

Matthews is likewise interested in promoting development of the downtown business district.

“The West Side appears to be booming and I would like to see that happen in the downtown area,” he said. “I’m willing to use my long-time associations to talk to some of these property owners and see if we can’t do something with the empty buildings.

“We need to reach out to these owners. I believe if we can persuade one business to open, we’ll see more follow.”

Matthews served with the city police department for 23 years before becoming the chief of security with the Connellsville Area School District.

He also serves as the president of the New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. and a member of the Connellsville Little League and Fayette EMS board of directors.

“I believe in community service,” he said. “The city has been good to me and I feel my volunteering on these boards and organizations is a way to give back to the community.”

Matthews admits that he would be in favor of re-establishing annual funding to New Haven Hose that was cut from the city budget two years ago by the current administration.

“New Haven does a lot for the city with the Christmas lights and parades along with the fire service it provides,” he said. “A $25,000 donation (to New Haven) compared to the $250,000 budget for the city fire department is a drop in the bucket.”

Matthews said if elected he would advocate a better working relationship at all city levels.

“We need to work together,” he said.

Chess, owner of the Chess Set Beauty Salon, said if elected he would move to make the downtown area tax free.

“The heart of the downtown is gone and it’s time to do something,” he said. “We have a viable river and bike trail, but we also need businesses.”

Chess said that the continued shuttering of Crawford Avenue stores and restaurants sparked his interest in seeking a council position.

“It did take me a while to make up my mind,” he said, noting his lack of participation in the primary election.

“Holding a public office takes a lot of time; I have a family to support and a business to run.

“I believe being a business owner and my participation on the Connellsville Area School District board of directors for four years gives me the experience and background needed to move the city in a positive direction.”

Chess said if elected he would also promote a greater police presence on the streets to halt the sale and use of drugs.

“Council needs to stand behind the police department,” he said. “The city will never be crime free, but we need to quit looking the other way.”

Chess said he would have to review the city’s fiscal status before determining whether funding should be reinstated for New Haven.

“New Haven Hose has been a part of our community for a long time and I believe New Haven has helped our community,” he said. “I can see helping them with some kind of donation if there is a need, but it has to be understood there is a difference between a want and a need.”

Keller, meanwhile, is running unopposed for the office of city treasurer.

A life-long resident of Connellsville, Keller said her tenure as city controller and as a member of council, where she served as the director of accounts and finance, would aid her in the treasurer’s position.

If elected, Keller said, she would accurately maintain all city financial accounts and file timely reports with council.