Information on 2015 Wyoming County Commissioners Race
Endless Mt. Lifestyles: Amicable Commissioners Debate Generates Little Excitement Among Viewers: http://www.endlessmtnlifestyles.com/?p=4008
Rocket Courier:
2015-04-30 / Local News
Candidates Talk Wolf’s Severance Tax, Crime, Economy and More — BY DAVID KEELER —
Editor’s Note:
This is the second part of our coverage of the Wyoming County Commissioners candidate’s debate, which took place on Monday, April 20 at Keystone College. The first part, which included opening statements and responses to three of nine questions, was published in last week’s Rocket-Courier. Candidate William Eggleston did not take part in the debate due to a medical emergency.
An audience of 111 people attended the April 20 Wyoming County Commissioners’ debate at Keystone College’s Brooks Theatre, an event jointly sponsored by the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming County Press Examiner.
Five of six candidates vying for three commissioners’ seats took part in the event, including incumbents Tom Henry, Judy Kraft Mead and Ron Williams, as well as challengers Maureen Dispenza and Randy White.
Randy White Williams, the sole Democrat, is unopposed, barring a writein. Henry and Mead are seeking re-election on the Republican ticket with Dispenza, White and Eggleston vying for their seats.
Gina Severcool Suydam, executive director of Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone and introduced Francis Calpin, Director of Public Relations at Keystone, who served as moderator and explained the debate’s format and rules to the audience, and Bob Baker, editor of the Wyoming County Press Examiner, who listed the duties and responsibilities of a county commissioner.
Following are candidate’s responses to questions asked by Calpin. Each candidate had a one-minute time limit.
Do you support Governor Wolf ’s Severance Tax Proposal and what is your greatest concern or the greatest benefit you see from this tax?
Ron Williams
Well, you picked on the Democrat. (Laughter from audience). Again, that Act 13 money still has to come in to Wyoming County. So I support his plan as long as the Act 13 money isn’t questioned. Right now, from what I understand, that money will not be questioned. We just met with the governor’s rep for Northeast PA and also Mr. Smith from Bradford County and he assured us that money is going to stay there. So I would have to say I’m in support of his plan right now.
Randy White
Again, I would agree with Ron in support of the plan, if in fact the Act 13 money is not touched. Because that has benefited the county and all the townships and the municipalities within the county greatly in doing projects that they would not be able to do if they did not have the Act 13 money. So if in fact the Act 13 money is not touched, I do support that. I think there are a lot of unanswered questions at this time with the proposal that we would have explore, and I would make sure that we are guaranteed our Act 13 money.
Maureen Dispenza
With the governor’s current proposal, no, I’m not for it and I’ll explain why. Taking today’s market value for natural gas, the industry would see another 30 percent in taxes on top of what they are already paying. My question has always been, why is the gas industry the only commodity being taxed? Why aren’t we taxing Deer Park Lumber for wood? Why aren’t we taxing J.J. Springs for water? All of these things are commodities. Taxes are okay when they’re fair, but there has to be limits, and the consequence of taxing the gas industry another 30 percent will be jobs here, jobs that are feeding your family and mine, one way or another. So I think what the governor needs to do is, if he’s looking to raise additional revenue, examine the tax he has on the plate right now because I don’t believe the tax today is fair.
Tom Henry
No, I don’t agree with the governor on his Severance Tax Proposal and because of a lot of the reasons that have already been said. We rely heavily on the Impact Fee and I don’t care what they say; it’s been an effective Impact Fee if they charged the Severance Tax, it already has an effect in our area. Things have slowed down and it has brought some turbulence to Wyoming County. So I don’t think that the governor has it quite right yet. And I believe that we need to keep our Impact Fee and I don’t believe that the Severance Tax is right yet. He promises to put a cap on it, but we’ve heard those promises and we’ve heard those things in the past and I don’t, I just don’t believe it just yet. That’s how I feel and I know that we rely heavily on the Impact Fee .
Judy Kraft Mead
I don’t quite agree with the Severance Tax either. He’s saying that we can take away our school property taxes, from what I understand there really isn’t enough money, even in the Severance Tax, to take care of those property taxes.
Other states have a Severance Tax, that’s another thing he is purporting, but they do not have the high corporate taxes that we have or the high income tax that we have. We have several taxes that other states with gas do not have. The Impact Fee is very important to us, and as he states it now, we will keep it, but he is very ambiguous as to how he will keep it. Whether we will get the same amount or if it will be installed at some fee and whether counties that are drilling in the future will not get the impact from the wells that are being drilled but just held at where they are now. We all know that Wyoming County has not been drilled yet as it probably will be.
What do you see as the commissioners’ role regarding the drug and crime problem in Wyoming County?
Randy White
The commissioners’ role is to really try to get the education and the enforcement out there to try to combat the drug problem. And it has grown. The problem has grown within our county. As a firefighter, just two weeks ago we were called out on a fire that involved a meth lab, and that’s something that’s not going away. It’s something that we, and all county residents, need to be educated on and to be vigilant about. So what we really need to do is band together as residents of Wyoming County and combat the drug problem on all bases. As a county commissioner, would like to see drug enforcement beefed up.
Maureen Dispenza
Within the last 10 years, the change in our culture here has been exponential with regard to drugs and, consequently, crime, because one leads to the other. We cannot do enough right now to combat the drug problem we have here in the county. We see more robberies, I think we had a stabbing last night (now I don’t know if the stabbing was drug related), but when you look at the level of crime that we have here that we did not have 10 years ago, I can guarantee you nearly all of it is related to drugs. I would like to see a larger drug task force start combating this problem. I also think we need to get more mental health and drug and alcohol services here to help these people recover. We can turn their lives around, then we have less drugs and we have less crime.
Tom Henry
We work really hard on this issue, and I’m glad this question came up. I personally work closely with our local coroner, and it’s amazing how many people have died of a drug overdose in our county in the last year. If nine people had died from a gunshot or a stabbing, or whatever, it would be on the front of the paper. We had nine people die and nobody reported an overdose in our county. It’s really sad. As I said, I work closely with the coroner to get those numbers. I also serve on the Luzerne and Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol Board. We do have a group together, a task force group, that is working really hard. Tonight was our first meeting and I missed it. I’ve worked hard to get that in our county, and I’ve also worked with the local ADT, it’s a counseling service in town, to provide help to the prisoners that have had an issue with drugs and alcohol, so that when they’re released it will be easier out in the community. This is really near and dear to my heart. I’ve lost close friends who have died from drug and alcohol overdoses, and I’ve worked really hard on this. I’m proud to be on the Drug and Alcohol Board and the Mental Health and Disabilities Board. We have a meeting this Wednesday at the courthouse.
Judy Kraft Mead
I think this is one of the saddest things we have and combating it is becoming harder and harder. Education can help to some degree, I think, and also it take citizens really being vigilant. If they see things going on in the county that do not look right, that seem a little off, I think they need to report it. Report it to the police, report it to the DA. It’s not that you want to report every little thing that you see, but there are times when you know that something is not right. So everybody needs to get involved. We have a couple transition houses, one for women and one for men who have gone through treatment. As Maureen and Tom both mentioned, mental health comes along with the drug problem. Once you’re on drugs, you end up with a mental problem. So it’s a combination that’s very hard to take care of. We have these transition homes where people can get out, undergo counseling, live in those houses under counseling, try to get their GEDs, and get jobs.
Ron Williams
I do agree with Judy that education is needed, but I think we should start early in elementary and follow these kids through middle and high school and then repeat that cycle and keep going. don’t see any education going on in the school district at all. I can remember when I was a police officer, and there is a lady here tonight that reminded me of that. I went to a meeting that she was at and brought along some drugs (not for their use but for their education). I showed them what they were and what could happen. Nobody knew what marijuana was, we had to explain that and talk about the pills and the other items we had. I do believe in education and the transition house that Judy mentioned. I worked with Trehab, where I’m chairman of the board, to bring that to Tunkhannock. Judy is also on that board, and we worked to bring that transition home into Wyoming County.
What in your background specifically equips you to be an advocate for the citizens of Wyoming County?
Maureen Dispenza
No better example than my eight years at the chamber. When I came into the chamber, all I heard was ‘they do nothing, they are nothing.’ The citizens of the county, with time and trust, we all worked together to build an awesome organization that is revered throughout the region. Raising money, building confidence of members in the case, developing strategic plans, communications plans. All of these qualities are qualities you need to be a commissioner. There’s no better example and anyone who’s met with me, certainly in the last three months, will tell you that I’m willing to spend hours listening to all your concerns. Not only listen, I’m not even a commissioner, and I’ve helped people solve some of their problems over the last three months.
Tom Henry
Most of you know this, but I’ve had the opportunity to work in my family business. I managed the NAPA store for the past 30 years prior to becoming a commissioner. I haven’t worked at the NAPA store since I’ve been a commissioner. I view my commissioner job as a full-time job, so I’ve given up everything at the NAPA store. I still stop in and say hi but that’s about it. For 30 years, we successfully built and built and built a better store. We’ve won all kinds of national awards. I opened the first auto care center in Pennsylvania and it’s still successful today. So my past is in business, and I think it’s been really beneficial as a commissioner to have that business background. Because we do have to keep a budget, and we do have to hire and fire, unfortunately, employees, and we haven’t had a problem in doing either to make sure that the county stays on budget. So I’ve definitely had a lot of practice prior to becoming a commissioner.
Judy Kraft Mead
A business background is important, and I’ve been involved in business in Tunkhannock for years. I also have a love of Wyoming County. As I said, I was born and raised here, but my grandmother, if you know the Howland Preserve, was actually born there and that was in her family for like a hundred years before they moved to town. So it’s in my blood to love Wyoming County. Over the years before I became a commissioner, I was involved with United Fund for years, where I was a chairperson and then the budget chair for years. I was on the starting board of the Wyoming County Chamber. I’ve been involved for over 30 years with the advisory board with Tyler Hospital to try to keep a hospital here in the county for our citizens. I’ve been involved with the streetscape, and I was on the beginning board of the Heritage Region before it started.
Ron Williams
I think I’ve been an advocate all my life. I have a background in business education. I’ve advocated for children for many, many years and children in this county through the statewide adoption network and the Pennsylvania State Resource Family, which used to be the Foster Family Association of Wyoming County, and I now sit on the statewide committee. I’m also the Area Agency on Aging Chairman of the Board, so I’m also taking care of our elderly out there. My life experiences in my 19 years as commissioner and eight at the state surely give me the background to be an advocate. To get back to that question about the drugs, I have a little time left here, my background was also a police officer and I would never put the uniform on today for what police officers are paid. Even if I was younger, I wouldn’t do it. Williamsport, PA is a fine example because they can’t find police officers. Nobody will sign up.
Randy White
The background that I have in the school district for many years as a union president, I deal with contract issues, personnel issues and financial issues as well. In the township in the last 15 years, we’ve dealt with numerous, numerous issues and made some very tough decisions within the township. Through my coaching, hopefully, I’ve molded a lot of the young student athletes over the years. And also my involvement with the fire company for 31 years and the past two years serving as an assistant chief. I think that that stands for itself. I think I lead by example. I make decisions based on the outcome that’s best for everyone.
What will your role be regarding encouragement of small business growth and attracting large industries to the community?
Tom Henry
That’s a no-brainer. We encourage businesses all the time. One of the main reasons I’m involved with the chamber is for that reason right there. We encourage businesses often and we work hard to do that. We meet with new businesses all the time. We meet with the oil industry and we meet with the hospital (Judy’s on the hospital board) and we’re always encouraging new business. Whatever it takes, actually, to bring in new business is encouraged. I’m a small business owner, so I know what it’s like to start a business. We absolutely encourage new business in Wyoming County.
Judy Kraft Mead
I think we have to work with the chamber. Years ago, the chamber was named the economic development arm of the county, so we try to work with the chamber in developing business. Also tourism, Ron mentioned this before.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Pennsylvania. I’ve served on the tourism board for 16 years. So we are trying desperately to bring in tourists and now that we have hotels, which are sometimes empty because the gas people are moving down a little, we have started to change our marketing and bring people in for weekends and bring people in for overnight. We couldn’t do that before because we really didn’t have places for people to stay. So we just met with a new marketing company and we are starting to market to bring people in here to keep other small businesses going. I think this is one great way we can do it—increase tourism and therefore increase small businesses.
Ron Williams
I’d like to see the Chamber of Commerce again be our arm of economic development. I really would, I think it would help Wyoming County immensely.
You can’t find business and industry when you are sitting at home. When I was at a meeting in Harrisburg, a fella wanted to open up a small business here in
Wyoming County, and I approached him and I brought him up here, wined and dined him and he did it, he opened up the business. There are only three people in it right now, but those are three people who weren’t working before. It’s called Child, Inc., they’re from York, PA and he does new foster home licensing and finds homes for children who need to be adopted. It’s located up here on Route 29. And again, I can’t say it enough, I’d like to see the chamber become our economic development arm again.
Randy White
I too agree with Ron in getting the chamber involved. think we need to entice small business as big industry and big business to come into our area so that our young people do not have to leave the area to seek employment and good paying jobs. So I think it’s very important for us as a commissioner or as a board to try to bring in business, whether it be small or large, a small business may grow into a large business. And again, it’s very important to create jobs so the young people do not have to leave this area.
Maureen Dispenza
This is something I have a little experience in. When the gas industry came in 2007-2008, you are all well aware they were not very welcomed. The chamber took the posture that this could be a job boom for our area, as well as an economic one. The chamber took the lead in welcoming these people and helping the community become educated about their business. We in the community need to be more welcoming to businesses coming in. Understand that without an interstate, it’s very difficult to get good-paying jobs up here. What we have to look for now is businesses that are long-term sustainable, not necessarily commodity based that cannot only employ ourselves and our children but can sustain the existing businesses her—in Tunkhannock along a 12 mile radius. I bet there are 12 empty commercial spots right now. The economy is tough, so we need to look for, and I mean the community, the commissioners, the chamber, I think it’s everybody’s job, to look for businesses and encourage them to come into our area to fill these empty spots.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in the county budget, whether it is a line item expense or revenues?
Judy Kraft Mead
I see one of the large items being our prison, although we have saved a lot of money, which has helped us out there. By changing it around, we have saved a lot of money, but it is still going to be a growing expense, except with what we just talked about, the drug and the mental health problems that we have in the county. Expenses keep going up. I think our largest line item is salaries and benefits, and I don’t really see us being able to change that much because, unfortunately, we have a lot of great employees and they do not probably make what they are worth, I must admit. That is still a large impact for the county. The 911 Center could be a problem if the legislature doesn’t do something with this sunset on the fees on telephones, that could be a big problem, but we are encouraging them to keep the fee on to help supplement our 911.
Ron Williams
I’ll pick up on the 911 Center because we do receive money from the $1.50 that is generated, and as Judy says if it sunsets, we’re not going to receive anything and that partially pays the salaries of the dispatchers at the 911 Center. Also the prison, we have been over-crowded at the prison. We ‘ve had to go ahead and put prisoners in other prisons, which became very costly because we were filled. We had to use some of the Act 13 money to cover that, also. I’m not going to be in favor of building a new prison, but I know that some people would like to see that, but not me. Also Human Services, as these problems that we have with drugs and alcohol increase, our cost of human services will increase.
Randy White
As Judy said, the biggest expense that we see is the prison, and I don’t see that changing a lot with the drug and alcohol problem because that is something that is going to be growing and to be housing people outside the county is also going to be expensive. And, of course, salaries and benefits. There are great employees at the county and while most of them don’t make what they should be making, they do an outstanding job on a daily basis and that is something that is not going to change. And also with the 911 Center, and losing the fee of $1.50 on each phone line, would be a detriment to the 911 Center because they have come a long way in securing all the items that are needed out there to improve with the times.
Maureen Dispenza
Let’s look at the prison first. I believe that we can make a change and everything they said is 100 percent true. I talked with a couple of the prison guards and, no surprise, 80 percent or better of our prisoners, it’s drugs, it’s they didn’t pay child support. These are offenses we should not be housing criminals for. Really, it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars. It would seem to me that if we went to state and federal legislators, and we had them revisit the punishment for things like not paying child support. While they’re sitting in jail there’s no way they are earning money to pay their child support. Think about it, it doesn’t even make sense. In regard to drug and alcohol, they’re going to jail to dry out. And then what? It would seem to me that if we were to send them to rehab and then to a sober house and hold them accountable not for one year, but maybe three years, the success rate would be better, the recidivism rate would be less and our jails would not be overcrowded.
Tom Henry
Another one of the issues at the courthouse is our court appointed council. We struggle on a daily basis with our judge that our court system costs us a ton of money. And since I’ve been there, I’ve seen the court appointed council rise and rise and rise, to more than the jail even. The jail is an issue, but we have worked extremely hard with the jail to make sure that we use every program possible. I call the probation department every day. I call the warden every day. So I see the jail as a challenge, but we’re starting to meet that challenge by doing things that we can to change it around. I don’t see the court appointed council or the court systems going away. I think we need to continue to work on this very hard. And our 911 system, not only do they want to take away that fee, I want to work to raise that fee. I’ve been working carefully with Lisa Baker. We’ve all signed a letter to make sure that they raise those funds.
How will you make yourself available to the citizens of Wyoming County? When and what methods of availability will you employ?
Ron Williams
I’m always available to the citizens of Wyoming County. If I’m not in the office, they can give you my cell number. I’m even available at night at my home and I get a lot of calls there. There are people here in the audience that can tell you, when they call me, they receive a phone call right back. I don’t hesitate, I don’t wait a long period of time, I get right back to them to find out what their issue is. I’m always available 24-7.
Randy White
I, too, would be available, either in the office, by internet, by email or by cell phone.
Maureen Dispenza
For those of you who worked with me at the chamber, you all know I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while on vacation. Ask my husband, I got yelled at a lot. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. When you are committed to a project, and you’re not only committed but are truly passionate, it doesn’t matter. You not only look forward to the calls and emails, but are glad to help people out. I will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just as I was at the chamber.
Tom Henry
Exactly. I’m always available. I’m at the courthouse every day. Every holiday since I’ve been a commissioner, I’ve spent Christmas Eve at the jail and with my friends at 911 because I think it’s really important if they have to work on those nights that I get a chance to visit with them and thank them. I’m available at the courthouse, like I said, every day and also by text message and cell phone. I’m always available and it’s kinda cool because there are three of us, so we’re always available. It’s a great job. I love what I do and I love going to work. I love it when people call and I can help them solve a problem. I truly, truly do.
Judy Kraft Mead
I always wonder where that false assumption comes from that we’re not available, because we are all available all the time. We’re at the courthouse every day, sometimes we’re out at meetings, or even in other counties at meetings, but we all have cell phones, we all have email. I’ve had people call me at home, I have people call me at night, I have people stop me when I’m out for lunch or when I’m in the grocery store and I don’t mind it at any time. So I think it’s a false assumption out there that we’re not available. We’re always able to be reached, so please, if you have a problem, reach out and touch us.
If you are elected commissioner, who do you want sitting on your right and left?
Randy White
I have thought about this, so I’m glad the question came up. Personally I feel that the three who are sitting on the board currently are doing a great job, and I would be honored to serve with any one of them.
Maureen Dispenza
I said to my husband tonight driving up, how lucky you all are. Often these elections go with the incumbents running and running and running. We have the good fortune to have other people, and it’s not that the commissioners are doing a bad job, they’re doing a fine job. It’s just people who have a different vision from those who are currently in office. You folks have the right now to make a decision of which three will do the best job to serve your needs. I would be happy to work with anyone sitting up here. The only thing I would ask is that they be as involved and passionate as I was.
Tom Henry
Like I said, I can’t wait in the morning to go to work. I am really happy that we accomplish a lot of stuff. I work with a lot of great people in the courthouse. I love to see them every day. I’ve only had one term, so I’ve started a bunch of stuff; we have started a bunch of stuff, and I can’t imagine not being able to complete the things I’ve started in my first term. So I definitely want another term. And I promise to continue to work hard with whomever is there. I’m very passionate about my job at the courthouse. I’m almost 50 years old, and for the first time in my life I actually believe that I’m doing something that I truly love and enjoy. So I’m going to push hard no matter what, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.
Judy Kraft Mead
I think you’re in luck because I think all of us are passionate about our work. We’re very involved. We’re involved with our citizens, we’re involved with our county, we’re all passionate about it. And as Tom said, it takes a long time to do projects. You just don’t have an idea and then get it done in a month or two, especially if it has anything to do with the state. So projects take a long time to work out. I have to say (I’d be killed if I don’t say it) I enjoy working with the two men on either side of me. I’d be happy to work with anyone the citizens elect.
Ron Williams
Judy, I don’t think any of us would kill you. This question is the last question and it’s for a minority commissioner, and I would have to say, I can work with anybody. I do have some different views than other people and we do argue quite a bit, and I try to make a point not only for me but for the people of Wyoming County, and these two will tell you that I do argue a lot, and I feel that’s my job as minority commissioner, to represent you folks and argue with these two and that’s exactly what I’m going to continue to do if they’re re-elected. One thing we can be grateful for is that we’re not a home rule county. Because you can just look at Luzerne County and see what’s going on there and they can’t get anything done down there. But yes, I can work with anyone at this table, and we’re lucky to have this many quality candidates running.
Endless Mt. Lifestyles: Amicable Commissioners Debate Generates Little Excitement Among Viewers: http://www.endlessmtnlifestyles.com/?p=4008
Rocket Courier:
2015-04-30 / Local News
Candidates Talk Wolf’s Severance Tax, Crime, Economy and More — BY DAVID KEELER —
Editor’s Note:
This is the second part of our coverage of the Wyoming County Commissioners candidate’s debate, which took place on Monday, April 20 at Keystone College. The first part, which included opening statements and responses to three of nine questions, was published in last week’s Rocket-Courier. Candidate William Eggleston did not take part in the debate due to a medical emergency.
An audience of 111 people attended the April 20 Wyoming County Commissioners’ debate at Keystone College’s Brooks Theatre, an event jointly sponsored by the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce and the Wyoming County Press Examiner.
Five of six candidates vying for three commissioners’ seats took part in the event, including incumbents Tom Henry, Judy Kraft Mead and Ron Williams, as well as challengers Maureen Dispenza and Randy White.
Randy White Williams, the sole Democrat, is unopposed, barring a writein. Henry and Mead are seeking re-election on the Republican ticket with Dispenza, White and Eggleston vying for their seats.
Gina Severcool Suydam, executive director of Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone and introduced Francis Calpin, Director of Public Relations at Keystone, who served as moderator and explained the debate’s format and rules to the audience, and Bob Baker, editor of the Wyoming County Press Examiner, who listed the duties and responsibilities of a county commissioner.
Following are candidate’s responses to questions asked by Calpin. Each candidate had a one-minute time limit.
Do you support Governor Wolf ’s Severance Tax Proposal and what is your greatest concern or the greatest benefit you see from this tax?
Ron Williams
Well, you picked on the Democrat. (Laughter from audience). Again, that Act 13 money still has to come in to Wyoming County. So I support his plan as long as the Act 13 money isn’t questioned. Right now, from what I understand, that money will not be questioned. We just met with the governor’s rep for Northeast PA and also Mr. Smith from Bradford County and he assured us that money is going to stay there. So I would have to say I’m in support of his plan right now.
Randy White
Again, I would agree with Ron in support of the plan, if in fact the Act 13 money is not touched. Because that has benefited the county and all the townships and the municipalities within the county greatly in doing projects that they would not be able to do if they did not have the Act 13 money. So if in fact the Act 13 money is not touched, I do support that. I think there are a lot of unanswered questions at this time with the proposal that we would have explore, and I would make sure that we are guaranteed our Act 13 money.
Maureen Dispenza
With the governor’s current proposal, no, I’m not for it and I’ll explain why. Taking today’s market value for natural gas, the industry would see another 30 percent in taxes on top of what they are already paying. My question has always been, why is the gas industry the only commodity being taxed? Why aren’t we taxing Deer Park Lumber for wood? Why aren’t we taxing J.J. Springs for water? All of these things are commodities. Taxes are okay when they’re fair, but there has to be limits, and the consequence of taxing the gas industry another 30 percent will be jobs here, jobs that are feeding your family and mine, one way or another. So I think what the governor needs to do is, if he’s looking to raise additional revenue, examine the tax he has on the plate right now because I don’t believe the tax today is fair.
Tom Henry
No, I don’t agree with the governor on his Severance Tax Proposal and because of a lot of the reasons that have already been said. We rely heavily on the Impact Fee and I don’t care what they say; it’s been an effective Impact Fee if they charged the Severance Tax, it already has an effect in our area. Things have slowed down and it has brought some turbulence to Wyoming County. So I don’t think that the governor has it quite right yet. And I believe that we need to keep our Impact Fee and I don’t believe that the Severance Tax is right yet. He promises to put a cap on it, but we’ve heard those promises and we’ve heard those things in the past and I don’t, I just don’t believe it just yet. That’s how I feel and I know that we rely heavily on the Impact Fee .
Judy Kraft Mead
I don’t quite agree with the Severance Tax either. He’s saying that we can take away our school property taxes, from what I understand there really isn’t enough money, even in the Severance Tax, to take care of those property taxes.
Other states have a Severance Tax, that’s another thing he is purporting, but they do not have the high corporate taxes that we have or the high income tax that we have. We have several taxes that other states with gas do not have. The Impact Fee is very important to us, and as he states it now, we will keep it, but he is very ambiguous as to how he will keep it. Whether we will get the same amount or if it will be installed at some fee and whether counties that are drilling in the future will not get the impact from the wells that are being drilled but just held at where they are now. We all know that Wyoming County has not been drilled yet as it probably will be.
What do you see as the commissioners’ role regarding the drug and crime problem in Wyoming County?
Randy White
The commissioners’ role is to really try to get the education and the enforcement out there to try to combat the drug problem. And it has grown. The problem has grown within our county. As a firefighter, just two weeks ago we were called out on a fire that involved a meth lab, and that’s something that’s not going away. It’s something that we, and all county residents, need to be educated on and to be vigilant about. So what we really need to do is band together as residents of Wyoming County and combat the drug problem on all bases. As a county commissioner, would like to see drug enforcement beefed up.
Maureen Dispenza
Within the last 10 years, the change in our culture here has been exponential with regard to drugs and, consequently, crime, because one leads to the other. We cannot do enough right now to combat the drug problem we have here in the county. We see more robberies, I think we had a stabbing last night (now I don’t know if the stabbing was drug related), but when you look at the level of crime that we have here that we did not have 10 years ago, I can guarantee you nearly all of it is related to drugs. I would like to see a larger drug task force start combating this problem. I also think we need to get more mental health and drug and alcohol services here to help these people recover. We can turn their lives around, then we have less drugs and we have less crime.
Tom Henry
We work really hard on this issue, and I’m glad this question came up. I personally work closely with our local coroner, and it’s amazing how many people have died of a drug overdose in our county in the last year. If nine people had died from a gunshot or a stabbing, or whatever, it would be on the front of the paper. We had nine people die and nobody reported an overdose in our county. It’s really sad. As I said, I work closely with the coroner to get those numbers. I also serve on the Luzerne and Wyoming County Drug and Alcohol Board. We do have a group together, a task force group, that is working really hard. Tonight was our first meeting and I missed it. I’ve worked hard to get that in our county, and I’ve also worked with the local ADT, it’s a counseling service in town, to provide help to the prisoners that have had an issue with drugs and alcohol, so that when they’re released it will be easier out in the community. This is really near and dear to my heart. I’ve lost close friends who have died from drug and alcohol overdoses, and I’ve worked really hard on this. I’m proud to be on the Drug and Alcohol Board and the Mental Health and Disabilities Board. We have a meeting this Wednesday at the courthouse.
Judy Kraft Mead
I think this is one of the saddest things we have and combating it is becoming harder and harder. Education can help to some degree, I think, and also it take citizens really being vigilant. If they see things going on in the county that do not look right, that seem a little off, I think they need to report it. Report it to the police, report it to the DA. It’s not that you want to report every little thing that you see, but there are times when you know that something is not right. So everybody needs to get involved. We have a couple transition houses, one for women and one for men who have gone through treatment. As Maureen and Tom both mentioned, mental health comes along with the drug problem. Once you’re on drugs, you end up with a mental problem. So it’s a combination that’s very hard to take care of. We have these transition homes where people can get out, undergo counseling, live in those houses under counseling, try to get their GEDs, and get jobs.
Ron Williams
I do agree with Judy that education is needed, but I think we should start early in elementary and follow these kids through middle and high school and then repeat that cycle and keep going. don’t see any education going on in the school district at all. I can remember when I was a police officer, and there is a lady here tonight that reminded me of that. I went to a meeting that she was at and brought along some drugs (not for their use but for their education). I showed them what they were and what could happen. Nobody knew what marijuana was, we had to explain that and talk about the pills and the other items we had. I do believe in education and the transition house that Judy mentioned. I worked with Trehab, where I’m chairman of the board, to bring that to Tunkhannock. Judy is also on that board, and we worked to bring that transition home into Wyoming County.
What in your background specifically equips you to be an advocate for the citizens of Wyoming County?
Maureen Dispenza
No better example than my eight years at the chamber. When I came into the chamber, all I heard was ‘they do nothing, they are nothing.’ The citizens of the county, with time and trust, we all worked together to build an awesome organization that is revered throughout the region. Raising money, building confidence of members in the case, developing strategic plans, communications plans. All of these qualities are qualities you need to be a commissioner. There’s no better example and anyone who’s met with me, certainly in the last three months, will tell you that I’m willing to spend hours listening to all your concerns. Not only listen, I’m not even a commissioner, and I’ve helped people solve some of their problems over the last three months.
Tom Henry
Most of you know this, but I’ve had the opportunity to work in my family business. I managed the NAPA store for the past 30 years prior to becoming a commissioner. I haven’t worked at the NAPA store since I’ve been a commissioner. I view my commissioner job as a full-time job, so I’ve given up everything at the NAPA store. I still stop in and say hi but that’s about it. For 30 years, we successfully built and built and built a better store. We’ve won all kinds of national awards. I opened the first auto care center in Pennsylvania and it’s still successful today. So my past is in business, and I think it’s been really beneficial as a commissioner to have that business background. Because we do have to keep a budget, and we do have to hire and fire, unfortunately, employees, and we haven’t had a problem in doing either to make sure that the county stays on budget. So I’ve definitely had a lot of practice prior to becoming a commissioner.
Judy Kraft Mead
A business background is important, and I’ve been involved in business in Tunkhannock for years. I also have a love of Wyoming County. As I said, I was born and raised here, but my grandmother, if you know the Howland Preserve, was actually born there and that was in her family for like a hundred years before they moved to town. So it’s in my blood to love Wyoming County. Over the years before I became a commissioner, I was involved with United Fund for years, where I was a chairperson and then the budget chair for years. I was on the starting board of the Wyoming County Chamber. I’ve been involved for over 30 years with the advisory board with Tyler Hospital to try to keep a hospital here in the county for our citizens. I’ve been involved with the streetscape, and I was on the beginning board of the Heritage Region before it started.
Ron Williams
I think I’ve been an advocate all my life. I have a background in business education. I’ve advocated for children for many, many years and children in this county through the statewide adoption network and the Pennsylvania State Resource Family, which used to be the Foster Family Association of Wyoming County, and I now sit on the statewide committee. I’m also the Area Agency on Aging Chairman of the Board, so I’m also taking care of our elderly out there. My life experiences in my 19 years as commissioner and eight at the state surely give me the background to be an advocate. To get back to that question about the drugs, I have a little time left here, my background was also a police officer and I would never put the uniform on today for what police officers are paid. Even if I was younger, I wouldn’t do it. Williamsport, PA is a fine example because they can’t find police officers. Nobody will sign up.
Randy White
The background that I have in the school district for many years as a union president, I deal with contract issues, personnel issues and financial issues as well. In the township in the last 15 years, we’ve dealt with numerous, numerous issues and made some very tough decisions within the township. Through my coaching, hopefully, I’ve molded a lot of the young student athletes over the years. And also my involvement with the fire company for 31 years and the past two years serving as an assistant chief. I think that that stands for itself. I think I lead by example. I make decisions based on the outcome that’s best for everyone.
What will your role be regarding encouragement of small business growth and attracting large industries to the community?
Tom Henry
That’s a no-brainer. We encourage businesses all the time. One of the main reasons I’m involved with the chamber is for that reason right there. We encourage businesses often and we work hard to do that. We meet with new businesses all the time. We meet with the oil industry and we meet with the hospital (Judy’s on the hospital board) and we’re always encouraging new business. Whatever it takes, actually, to bring in new business is encouraged. I’m a small business owner, so I know what it’s like to start a business. We absolutely encourage new business in Wyoming County.
Judy Kraft Mead
I think we have to work with the chamber. Years ago, the chamber was named the economic development arm of the county, so we try to work with the chamber in developing business. Also tourism, Ron mentioned this before.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Pennsylvania. I’ve served on the tourism board for 16 years. So we are trying desperately to bring in tourists and now that we have hotels, which are sometimes empty because the gas people are moving down a little, we have started to change our marketing and bring people in for weekends and bring people in for overnight. We couldn’t do that before because we really didn’t have places for people to stay. So we just met with a new marketing company and we are starting to market to bring people in here to keep other small businesses going. I think this is one great way we can do it—increase tourism and therefore increase small businesses.
Ron Williams
I’d like to see the Chamber of Commerce again be our arm of economic development. I really would, I think it would help Wyoming County immensely.
You can’t find business and industry when you are sitting at home. When I was at a meeting in Harrisburg, a fella wanted to open up a small business here in
Wyoming County, and I approached him and I brought him up here, wined and dined him and he did it, he opened up the business. There are only three people in it right now, but those are three people who weren’t working before. It’s called Child, Inc., they’re from York, PA and he does new foster home licensing and finds homes for children who need to be adopted. It’s located up here on Route 29. And again, I can’t say it enough, I’d like to see the chamber become our economic development arm again.
Randy White
I too agree with Ron in getting the chamber involved. think we need to entice small business as big industry and big business to come into our area so that our young people do not have to leave the area to seek employment and good paying jobs. So I think it’s very important for us as a commissioner or as a board to try to bring in business, whether it be small or large, a small business may grow into a large business. And again, it’s very important to create jobs so the young people do not have to leave this area.
Maureen Dispenza
This is something I have a little experience in. When the gas industry came in 2007-2008, you are all well aware they were not very welcomed. The chamber took the posture that this could be a job boom for our area, as well as an economic one. The chamber took the lead in welcoming these people and helping the community become educated about their business. We in the community need to be more welcoming to businesses coming in. Understand that without an interstate, it’s very difficult to get good-paying jobs up here. What we have to look for now is businesses that are long-term sustainable, not necessarily commodity based that cannot only employ ourselves and our children but can sustain the existing businesses her—in Tunkhannock along a 12 mile radius. I bet there are 12 empty commercial spots right now. The economy is tough, so we need to look for, and I mean the community, the commissioners, the chamber, I think it’s everybody’s job, to look for businesses and encourage them to come into our area to fill these empty spots.
What do you see as the biggest challenge in the county budget, whether it is a line item expense or revenues?
Judy Kraft Mead
I see one of the large items being our prison, although we have saved a lot of money, which has helped us out there. By changing it around, we have saved a lot of money, but it is still going to be a growing expense, except with what we just talked about, the drug and the mental health problems that we have in the county. Expenses keep going up. I think our largest line item is salaries and benefits, and I don’t really see us being able to change that much because, unfortunately, we have a lot of great employees and they do not probably make what they are worth, I must admit. That is still a large impact for the county. The 911 Center could be a problem if the legislature doesn’t do something with this sunset on the fees on telephones, that could be a big problem, but we are encouraging them to keep the fee on to help supplement our 911.
Ron Williams
I’ll pick up on the 911 Center because we do receive money from the $1.50 that is generated, and as Judy says if it sunsets, we’re not going to receive anything and that partially pays the salaries of the dispatchers at the 911 Center. Also the prison, we have been over-crowded at the prison. We ‘ve had to go ahead and put prisoners in other prisons, which became very costly because we were filled. We had to use some of the Act 13 money to cover that, also. I’m not going to be in favor of building a new prison, but I know that some people would like to see that, but not me. Also Human Services, as these problems that we have with drugs and alcohol increase, our cost of human services will increase.
Randy White
As Judy said, the biggest expense that we see is the prison, and I don’t see that changing a lot with the drug and alcohol problem because that is something that is going to be growing and to be housing people outside the county is also going to be expensive. And, of course, salaries and benefits. There are great employees at the county and while most of them don’t make what they should be making, they do an outstanding job on a daily basis and that is something that is not going to change. And also with the 911 Center, and losing the fee of $1.50 on each phone line, would be a detriment to the 911 Center because they have come a long way in securing all the items that are needed out there to improve with the times.
Maureen Dispenza
Let’s look at the prison first. I believe that we can make a change and everything they said is 100 percent true. I talked with a couple of the prison guards and, no surprise, 80 percent or better of our prisoners, it’s drugs, it’s they didn’t pay child support. These are offenses we should not be housing criminals for. Really, it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars. It would seem to me that if we went to state and federal legislators, and we had them revisit the punishment for things like not paying child support. While they’re sitting in jail there’s no way they are earning money to pay their child support. Think about it, it doesn’t even make sense. In regard to drug and alcohol, they’re going to jail to dry out. And then what? It would seem to me that if we were to send them to rehab and then to a sober house and hold them accountable not for one year, but maybe three years, the success rate would be better, the recidivism rate would be less and our jails would not be overcrowded.
Tom Henry
Another one of the issues at the courthouse is our court appointed council. We struggle on a daily basis with our judge that our court system costs us a ton of money. And since I’ve been there, I’ve seen the court appointed council rise and rise and rise, to more than the jail even. The jail is an issue, but we have worked extremely hard with the jail to make sure that we use every program possible. I call the probation department every day. I call the warden every day. So I see the jail as a challenge, but we’re starting to meet that challenge by doing things that we can to change it around. I don’t see the court appointed council or the court systems going away. I think we need to continue to work on this very hard. And our 911 system, not only do they want to take away that fee, I want to work to raise that fee. I’ve been working carefully with Lisa Baker. We’ve all signed a letter to make sure that they raise those funds.
How will you make yourself available to the citizens of Wyoming County? When and what methods of availability will you employ?
Ron Williams
I’m always available to the citizens of Wyoming County. If I’m not in the office, they can give you my cell number. I’m even available at night at my home and I get a lot of calls there. There are people here in the audience that can tell you, when they call me, they receive a phone call right back. I don’t hesitate, I don’t wait a long period of time, I get right back to them to find out what their issue is. I’m always available 24-7.
Randy White
I, too, would be available, either in the office, by internet, by email or by cell phone.
Maureen Dispenza
For those of you who worked with me at the chamber, you all know I was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while on vacation. Ask my husband, I got yelled at a lot. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. When you are committed to a project, and you’re not only committed but are truly passionate, it doesn’t matter. You not only look forward to the calls and emails, but are glad to help people out. I will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just as I was at the chamber.
Tom Henry
Exactly. I’m always available. I’m at the courthouse every day. Every holiday since I’ve been a commissioner, I’ve spent Christmas Eve at the jail and with my friends at 911 because I think it’s really important if they have to work on those nights that I get a chance to visit with them and thank them. I’m available at the courthouse, like I said, every day and also by text message and cell phone. I’m always available and it’s kinda cool because there are three of us, so we’re always available. It’s a great job. I love what I do and I love going to work. I love it when people call and I can help them solve a problem. I truly, truly do.
Judy Kraft Mead
I always wonder where that false assumption comes from that we’re not available, because we are all available all the time. We’re at the courthouse every day, sometimes we’re out at meetings, or even in other counties at meetings, but we all have cell phones, we all have email. I’ve had people call me at home, I have people call me at night, I have people stop me when I’m out for lunch or when I’m in the grocery store and I don’t mind it at any time. So I think it’s a false assumption out there that we’re not available. We’re always able to be reached, so please, if you have a problem, reach out and touch us.
If you are elected commissioner, who do you want sitting on your right and left?
Randy White
I have thought about this, so I’m glad the question came up. Personally I feel that the three who are sitting on the board currently are doing a great job, and I would be honored to serve with any one of them.
Maureen Dispenza
I said to my husband tonight driving up, how lucky you all are. Often these elections go with the incumbents running and running and running. We have the good fortune to have other people, and it’s not that the commissioners are doing a bad job, they’re doing a fine job. It’s just people who have a different vision from those who are currently in office. You folks have the right now to make a decision of which three will do the best job to serve your needs. I would be happy to work with anyone sitting up here. The only thing I would ask is that they be as involved and passionate as I was.
Tom Henry
Like I said, I can’t wait in the morning to go to work. I am really happy that we accomplish a lot of stuff. I work with a lot of great people in the courthouse. I love to see them every day. I’ve only had one term, so I’ve started a bunch of stuff; we have started a bunch of stuff, and I can’t imagine not being able to complete the things I’ve started in my first term. So I definitely want another term. And I promise to continue to work hard with whomever is there. I’m very passionate about my job at the courthouse. I’m almost 50 years old, and for the first time in my life I actually believe that I’m doing something that I truly love and enjoy. So I’m going to push hard no matter what, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.
Judy Kraft Mead
I think you’re in luck because I think all of us are passionate about our work. We’re very involved. We’re involved with our citizens, we’re involved with our county, we’re all passionate about it. And as Tom said, it takes a long time to do projects. You just don’t have an idea and then get it done in a month or two, especially if it has anything to do with the state. So projects take a long time to work out. I have to say (I’d be killed if I don’t say it) I enjoy working with the two men on either side of me. I’d be happy to work with anyone the citizens elect.
Ron Williams
Judy, I don’t think any of us would kill you. This question is the last question and it’s for a minority commissioner, and I would have to say, I can work with anybody. I do have some different views than other people and we do argue quite a bit, and I try to make a point not only for me but for the people of Wyoming County, and these two will tell you that I do argue a lot, and I feel that’s my job as minority commissioner, to represent you folks and argue with these two and that’s exactly what I’m going to continue to do if they’re re-elected. One thing we can be grateful for is that we’re not a home rule county. Because you can just look at Luzerne County and see what’s going on there and they can’t get anything done down there. But yes, I can work with anyone at this table, and we’re lucky to have this many quality candidates running.