Some might call the 12 candidates for Mercer County Commissioner the "Dynamic Dozen." Others might call them the "Daring Dozen."

There's one certainty, however. No matter what moniker one eventually attaches to the four Democratic and eight Republican hopefuls, it's very likely they'll be the "Very Busy Dozen" until the May 20 primary.

The candidates were brought together for the first time this election season Tuesday at a forum in the Howard Miller Center's Lutheran Heritage Room at Thiel College in Greenville.

Hosting the forum, attended by nearly 75 people, was The Center for Men's Leadership at Thiel, the campus newspaper The Thielensian and campus radio station WTGP.

Democrats on hand were: incumbent Olivia M. Lazor, South Pymatuning Township; and Brian Beader, James T. Kaibas and Richard "Dick" McMahon, all Hermitage. Republicans were: Bruce A. Richael, Farrell; Thomas Allen Dill, Sharon; George Pokrant, Grove City; Joe Phillips, East Lackawannock Township; Michele Brooks, Jamestown; Tom Limber Jr., Hempfield Township; Glenn Dosch, Mercer; and Mary A. Buckwalter, Wilmington Township.

Panelists who presented questions included Herald News Editor/Weekends Nick Hildebrand, Greenville Record-Argus Staff Writer Marsha Timlin, Thiel Professor Emeritus Robert Herring and Thiel Student Government Association President Brett Stedman.

The candidates were each given two minutes for opening remarks and 1è minutes for closing remarks. In between, they were allowed one minute to respond to the following issues: how to keep more young people in the county while continuing services for the elderly, their experience on managing multi-million dollar budgets and large numbers of employees, how construction of the new jail will affect the county, and what steps they would take to avoid conflicts of interest and corruption if elected.

Among highlights from the forum were:

   » References to the new jail project costing $20 million when bids are announced at the end of this month. Commissioners originally estimated the cost would be $15 million, opening the possibility of a shortfall with the current $34 million bond issue that was floated to cover the project.

Most of the candidates seemed resigned to the fact that building a new jail is a necessary cost, especially based on the state of the current jail.

McMahon summarized the bond issue saying, "It's a sad commentary that three out of four of the major projects are judges' chambers, district justice offices and a new jail. That's some economic development."

   » Dosch's light-hearted response to the question on conflicts of interest and corruption: "I can only imagine what people are thinking in their chairs right now -- that's great, a bunch of politicians telling you they're going to be honest."

The next commissioner candidates forum is scheduled for May 1 at Grove City College.

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