The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Tuesday, October 21, 2003

Candidates question each other

By Jeff Greenburg
Herald Political Writer

After months of campaigning and answering hundreds of questions, the five candidates for Mercer County commissioner were afforded the opportunity Monday to ask each other a few questions.

It was part of a forum co-hosted by the League of Women Voters of Mercer County and Grove City College.

Dr. Michael Coulter, an associate professor of political science at GCC, moderated the forum that drew more than 50 people.

After opening statements by each candidate, questions were presented by Coulter, the League's Pat Woodings and The Herald before the candidates -- Republicans George Pokrant and Michele Brooks, Democrats Olivia Lazor and Brian Beader, and Independent Daniel Berent -- turned the question table on each other.

Pokrant asked Berent if he felt his lack of government experience would hinder any projects or functions at the courthouse. Berent said no, noting he doesn't view that inexperience "as a liability at all."

Berent asked Mrs. Brooks what steps she would take to fund the $250,000 annual bill the county will foot to help fund Penn Northwest Economic Development Corp.'s "Sites 1000" plan without looking to the state government for help. She said if the county would ultimately have to look at alternative "revenue sources without bankrupting the general fund, there may have to be an increase in taxes."

Mrs. Lazor asked Beader if the two of them were elected if Beader would be willing to work with her. "Absolutely I would be willing to work with you," Beader said. "... And I'm looking forward to using your experience at that position for so many years and bringing on some of my youth and energy and some of the new ideas we have to propel us into the future."

Mrs. Brooks asked Mrs. Lazor what she would do to maintain vital human services in the county, which continues to see cuts in funding from the state level, without depleting the general fund. "What we do is be more creative," Mrs. Lazor said. "We find grant programs and other funding mechanisms to underwrite the loss of services in one area and we bring in new services to supplement that."

And Beader asked Pokrant what steps he would take in the first three or four months of his term. Pokrant replied, in part, he would implement an "action plan" to make sure that all the homes that aren't on the county rolls for taxes are added and he wants a strategic plan with Penn Northwest on "how we are going to" market Mercer County and get companies to relocate here.

As for who the voters are going to put into office, if what Beader forecasted proves accurate, it might not matter. In response to a question by Mrs. Woodings centering on tax increases Beader said he believes "there will be a tax increase this year."

The candidates were also asked, hypothetically, to specify areas of the county government where cuts could be made if a tax increase wasn't an option.

Beader and Brooks cited some of the services provided to inmates in the county jail. Mrs. Lazor said the county has made cuts, noting that during her tenure commissioners have trimmed 19 jobs to 9è. Berent mentioned staffing and applying technology in a way that it could reduce costs like is done in the private sector. And Pokrant said support services could be streamlined and he would cut back on some amenities at the jail.

The forum was taped by Armstrong Cable and will be rebroadcast daily between Monday and Nov. 3. Times will be published at a later date.

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