Mon Valley legislative candidates gather to discuss issues in advance of election
The Mon Valley Herald-Standard, along with the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce, will host a candidate forum to allow those seeking a legislative seat to share their views on the issues facing the local communities.
The forum will take place Tuesday at the Monessen Middle/High School. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the forum to begin a 6 p.m.
“We really appreciate these partnering opportunities to put the candidates in front of the people,” said Debbie Keefer, Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director. “As election day approaches, a lot of folks are still undecided in these local races, and they have the chance to see them present their platforms in a professional format.
“The chamber thanks the Herald-Standard and Monessen School District for making this possible.”
The participating candidates include Alan Benyak, a Charleroi Democrat, and Coal Center Republican Donald “Bud” Cook, who are vying to fill the position now held by 49th Legislative District Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California. Justin Walsh, a Belle Vernon Republican seeking to replace 58th Legislative District state Rep. Ted Harhai, D-Monessen, has also agreed to take part in the forum.
Late last year, both Daley and Harhai announced they would retire from public office, opening the door for numerous candidates in both districts to fill the vacancies.
West Newton Mayor Mary Popovich, a Democrat, will also be on the 58th District ballot. She declined The Mon Valley Herald-Standard invitation to participate in the forum.
Benyak overcame five challengers to receive the party nod in the spring primary.
An attorney, Benyak has a private practice in Charleroi. He serves as solicitor for the borough and in a similar capacity for the Municipal Authority of Belle Vernon.
While a member of the U.S. Army he was the recipient of several awards for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal.
Cook is an e-Marketing and promotions consultant for financial service professionals, attorneys, insurance companies and others. He has authored a marketing tool for the Mon Valley region entitled “Destination Points: to promote attractions, activities and assets in the district.
He overcame a lone challenger in the primary to garner the GOP nomination.
The 49th Legislative District encompasses portions of both Washington and Fayette counties.
Walsh, an attorney, was the lone Republican on the spring ballot in the 58th Legislative District primary contest.
A graduate of Saint Francis College with a bachelor’s degree in political science, he continued his education at Seton Hall University School of Law where he received his law degree.
He has practiced law for 18 years and for the past decade served as the sole owner or partner in a small general practice firm.
The district includes portions of Westmoreland County.
Robert Pinarski, The Mon Valley Herald-Standard, Herald-Standard and Greene County Messenger publisher, said the responsibility of the newspapers is to ensure its readers are well-informed.
“Our role in the Mon Valley is to provide our readers with information about events taking place in their communities, actions of their government leaders and to look deeper into the important matters that concern them,” he said. “This is a critical election for voters in the Mon Valley as well as those across the state.
” Our goal in hosting this forum is to provide an opportunity for the voters to personally meet the candidates that hope to represent them.”
Christopher Whitlatch, Mon Valley Alliance (MVA) chief executive officer, will moderate the forum.
The MVA, created in April, is the consolidation of the Mon Valley Progress Council and the Middle Monongahela Industrial Development Association.
A 1991 graduate of Uniontown Area High School and a New York University graduate, Whitlatch spent seven years with The Pittsburgh Foundation where he helped develop and launch PittsburghGives, an online giving platform that raised more than $40 million for nonprofit organizations.
In addition to hosting the nonprofit news magazine show “Into Pittsburgh,” Whitlatch serves on various boards and volunteers his time for other organizations.
Whitlatch said he looks forward to moderating the event.
“The Mon Valley is facing many challenges as it looks to attract people, businesses and jobs,” he said. “I am excited to moderate a public forum with The Mon Valley Herald-Standard to give an opportunity for the residents of this area that have been fighting for so long to hear ideas and plans from their next representatives.”
Michael Palm, executive editor of The Mon Valley Herald-Standard, Herald-Standard, and Greene County Messenger, said the Nov. 8 election is vital to the residents of the region.
“The Mon Valley residents have been long served by state Representatives Pete Daley and Ted Harhai and it is now time for those residents to choose a new person to represent them in Harrisburg,” he said. “The Mon Valley Herald-Standard candidate forum is an ideal opportunity for them to learn more about the candidates and their stance on the critical issues that impact each of their lives.”
Whitlatch will present questions composed by the newspapers’ editorial board followed by those submitted by audience members.
Attendees will be asked upon their arrival to write their question or questions that can be delivered to all candidates by the moderator.
No signs will be permitted in the auditorium.
The forum will be streamed live and can be viewed on The Mon Valley Herald-Standard website at www.heraldstandard.com.
Gina Lynn, Greater Rostraver Chamber of Commerce executive director, meanwhile, commended the candidates for their willingness to participate.
“The forum is an excellent opportunity to learn more about our candidates and the issues facing community residents with regard to taxes, blight, economic development and other concerns,” she said. “We appreciate our candidates taking time from their busy schedules to join us.”
Monessen Middle/High School is located at 1245 State Road, Monessen. The candidate forum will take place in the school auditorium.