The Mercer County Branch of the Pennsylvania Economy League and the League of Women Voters of Mercer County developed five questions for the 12 candidates for Mercer County commissioner. Candidates were asked to keep their responses to 75 words. Some of the longer responses were edited by The Herald to comply. The following are their answers to one of the five questions. The other answers will be published in Thursday's edition of The Herald.

How should Mercer County support vital transportation and infrastructure projects including bridges, roads, sewers, etc.?

   » OLIVIA LAZOR: Transportation and infrastructure improvement are vital to expanding and attracting businesses and creating jobs. The county, as key member of the Municipal Planning Organization, works with PennDOT and municipal leaders to plan, evaluate, engineer and build highway/bridge projects. State and federal funds are sought and obtained to supplement county funds to make these projects a reality. Mercer County's economic growth depends upon continued infrastructure development. This must be the county's and the municipal officials' priority.

   » JAMES T. KAIBAS: The Mercer County infrastructure is our most important resource and we must maintain good roads, bridges and sewers. Mercer County is the crossroad of the nation with interstates 79, 80 and Route 60, we have access to all major metropolitan areas in a matter of a few hours. This is a major attraction to Mercer County, but we have not leveraged this resource because of poor sewer and utility access in the I-79, I-80 corridor. We have to work with our state and federal representatives for funds to manage these projects which are necessary to the growth of our County.

   » GEORGE POKRANT: The key to attracting new jobs is through having the infrastructure necessary for them to be successful in our community. County government can assist with this through collaborative marketing efforts, securement grants and through review and privatization of current projects to ensure that the county's dollars are going towards the projects that benefit all of us. Also, working with developers to assist with the development of infrastructure to share the costs and the benefits of them coming to our county.

   » GLENN DOSCH: The very important need for Mercer County to improve its infrastructure especially along the I-80 corridor is a must. This will only happen with a combined effort of the county and local municipalities. With many other counties all competing for the same business and industry we must stand out and be different. Mercer County must unite and work on these large tasks of needed infrastructure together. United we stand, divided we lose future jobs.

   » THOMAS J. LIMBER, JR.: The County has a direct role in bridges, so it could be involved with the infrastructure planning from this standpoint using the County Engineers and resources from that department. However with regards to roads and sewers, the county would need to partner with local municipalities and the state of Pennsylvania to develop those portions of the infrastructure.

   » JOE PHILLIPS: The county must continue to search out grants for the improvement of infrastructure. The county must stay in touch with federal and state legislators. By keeping a link with our legislators, they can keep us informed of upcoming legislation that provides grants for infrastructure. Regional planners, local elected officials, and constituents must be present at the table when it comes to planning for the future.

   » RICHARD McMAHON: By example, they should fund annually and commit any "windfall" funds to a clearly marked capital and infrastructure fund and not use it as a "rainy day" fund. This commitment, along with a sensible, yet aggressive economic/industrial development plan strongly supported by our state and federal legislators, should convince various funding sources of our commitment to be a willing partner to develop our "access to markets" jewel -- the I-79, I-80 corridor.

   » MARY BUCKWALTER: Vital transportation and infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, sewers, all require a well-laid strategic plan that includes priority, cost assessments and a time schedule. Planning should include building a fund balance from which interest can be captured and utilized to cover capital expenditures. Emphasis will be placed on garnering state and federal funding, and grant money from outside sources so as to minimize the expenditure of local tax monies.

   » THOMAS DILL: The county can support infrastructure projects by obtaining state and federal grants which would pass through the county budget to the various projects. The county budget through tax revenue can only handle projects which are mandatory for infrastructure projects.

   » MICHELE BROOKS: We must work hand in glove with the state Department of Transportation, state and federal officials as well as local municipalities to obtain as much funding and technical assistance as possible. As commissioner, I would encourage the use of the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission's resources to aid municipalities in doing the studies required for grants. This will maximize the number of grants at a local level for needed infrastructure projects.

   » BRIAN BEADER: It is crucial to Mercer County's future to help develop industrial parks by providing shovel-ready sites for diverse outside businesses to locate here. We need to continue working with Penn Northwest to draw in business while focusing on infrastructure development. We need to convince local municipalities of the importance of sewer infrastructure and to push for private utilities to help in this effort.

   » BRUCE A. RICHAEL: Closely work with, support, and encourage all municipalities, agencies, organizations and citizens involved.