Apr 29, 2006 By Jennifer Harr 7 min read

Candidates for the upcoming primary for party nominations in the 52nd Legislative District squared off at a public forum sponsored by the Fayette Civic Forum on Thursday. The candidates are vying for the seat that current state Rep. James Shaner will retire from at the end of the year.

The field of hopefuls includes 10 candidates. The Democratic contenders are Dunbar Township tax collector Marigrace Butela, attorney John Lowery III, former Magisterial District Judge Deberah Kula, Franklin Township Supervisor George Bozek III, Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed, Mount Pleasant Mayor Gerald Lucia, former legislator Harry Young Cochran and former Scottdale Mayor Tim Carson.

On the Republican ballot will be Fayette County Republican Party Chairman Dr. Richard Grimaldi and William Earnesty, who previously ran for the office.

Slots revenue

The candidates were asked about a variety of issues, including what would be the best use of revenue generated by slot machines. They were ask to say if they thought the money should go to help senior citizens, help offset property tax reduction, build arenas or to a legislative pay raise.

Reed said she would like to see the money earmarked to help senior citizens and for property tax relief.

Carson said that he would like to see the money go toward property tax relief, noting that many seniors he’s met on the campaign trail have said they struggle to pay those taxes.

“We have to do something, and it has to happen now,” he said, adding that relief needs to be a priority.

Cochran questioned if the revenue generated would be enough to reduce property taxes.

Grimaldi said both tax reduction and helping struggling seniors is important. He noted that tax reduction helps seniors indirectly because it gives them more money to put toward health care or prescriptions.

Lowery said he would like to see the money go toward reducing property taxes.

“It’s a no-brainer. We have to have property tax reform, no matter how we look at it,” he said.

He acknowledged that the money generated from gambling would not be enough to completely counterbalance the elimination of property taxes, but said it was important to start somewhere.

Bozek said he favors eliminating property tax completely, but said the money could have other uses. He suggested that it could go toward the state’s financially strapped Game Commission, health care or to repair roads in the state.

Kula said the money should go to help seniors in their everyday lives because many struggle financially. She said that some have to make the choice between buying a prescription today or food tomorrow.

She also said that property tax reform would help seniors, too.

Earnesty said he believes the money could go toward tax reduction, but said that there were other places that expenses could be cut. He suggested reducing the size of the Legislature because it was unnecessary to have so many.

Butela said she would put the money toward both property tax reform and health coverage.

Reducing property taxes would immediately help senior citizens, Lucia said. Doing that with the gambling money would help people of all ages and walks of life, he said.

Open records

All of the candidates said they believe in an open-door- type policy and would allow their constituents access to their records.

Lucia also said that legislative issues before the House and Senate should be expanded upon so that the public knows exactly what is being voted on.

“The trust has to be put back in the House of Representatives and the open book is the way to go,” he said.

Reed agreed that legislation needs to be more open to the public, and indicated that every constituent of every legislator should be able to find out where their money is headed.

Cochran, a member of the House from 1979-1982, said his records always were open previously, and would remain so if he is elected this year.

He also said there is a definite need for open records for lobbyists.

Butela said records should be open because taxpayers’ money is being used to fund legislative activities.

Grimaldi also said that it is important to make records open. He also noted that the exception to that would be records that deal with security issues.

Several other candidates echoed that belief.

Lowery said that the legislative records that are open are too difficult to view.

“You have to jump through four hoops, make three appointments, come back next Tuesday,” Lowery said.

He called the difficulty in getting to those open records “legislative stymieing.”

Carson said that going to Harrisburg to see the records is “nonsense.” He said that records should be available on the Internet or at a lawmaker’s district office.

Kula said that open records should be “standard operating procedure in any form of government.”

Earnesty said that legislative records should be available online and readily available to anyone who wants to keep track of a legislator’s spending.

“That’s my tax money. I want to know where it’s going,” he said.

Bozek said that open records “shouldn’t even be an issue.

“Government should be open first and foremost to the people they represent,” he said.

He said by keeping open records in the forefront of discussions, legislators are avoiding real issues such as taxation.

At the end of the forum, each candidate offered a two-minute closing remark.

Reed said she would represent the public “with no strings attached.” Some of the current legislators put their interests above those of their constituents, she said. Reed vowed not to do that and said she would “lead by example.”

“Working with people to try and make their lives better is what it’s all about,” she said.

Butela said she wants to be an advocate for the people. She said she has heard from people who want health-care reform and property tax reduction, but noted there is a problem getting them done.

Earnesty said he will work to lower taxes to bring in jobs and businesses so that the local economy has a chance to grow. He also said he would work to fairly fund all schools, and vowed that he would only accept mileage reimbursement and a salary if elected – and not a car and other perks most legislators accept.

Carson said he would put his experience in business and government to work. He said he opposed any legislative pay raise and supported property tax reform and lobbyist disclosure.

Bozek said he would offer the people of the 52nd District “the honorable representation you deserve.” Bozek said disreputable leaders have gone astray and said it was time to have open government.

Kula said she decided to run because of her years in public service as a magisterial district judge and court administrator. Those positions make her uniquely familiar with legal issues, she said. She vowed to work for the people if elected.

Grimaldi said he is not a seasoned politician, but “a practicing dentist who is very concerned about the future of our area.” That lack of political background is a strength, Grimaldi said, and could bring a new perspective to Harrisburg.

He said he never would make a promise he could not keep, and promised to work for the people if elected.

Lowery said he felt he was the most qualified for the job because of his education and experience as a lawyer. In that capacity, Lowery said he already advocates for people and represents their interests – the same thing he would do as a state representative.

“I don’t want to be a legislator, I want to be your legislator,” he said.

Lucia said he felt he was most qualified because he “came from the ground up,” working his way through life. He said he can offer the people someone who will do what is necessary to assure their needs are conveyed.

“Check my record. Ask about me. I am the man who will give you 100 percent,” he said.

Cochran said he is the only candidate who has a legislative record to run on because he previously served in the House.

He said the issues of strengthening the educational system and property tax relief are important to him. He also said he hopes to see the economy grow, and will work to make Pennsylvania a business-friendly state.