The League of Women Voters of Centre County 2021 Voter’s Guide continues with candidates for College Township Council and boards of supervisors in Benner, Harris, Patton, Rush, Spring and Walker townships.
The material in this guide was compiled by the candidates and the League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. This material may not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the LWVCC. Each candidate’s reply has been printed as submitted by the candidate.
Candidates were invited to participate in the Vote411 online voter’s guide via email. All reasonable efforts were made to encourage candidates to participate. The candidates listed are those whose names appear on the ballot as of Sept. 2 when the ballot was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Candidates are listed according to their party and then alphabetically. Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement or non-endorsement of any candidate, party or initiative by the League of Women Voters, The Centre County Gazette or StateCollege.com.
Previously: Ferguson Township Supervisors, State College Council and Mayor, SCASD School Board
The League of Women Voters 2021 General Election Voters Guide will continue each week leading up to the Tuesday, Nov. 2, general election. Here’s what’s coming up:
- Oct. 21 — Bellefonte Borough Council (Ward 1, Ward 2 and Ward 3 races); Bellefonte Borough Mayor; and Bellefonte Area Board of School Directors.
- Oct. 28 — Statewide judicial offices; Centre County district attorney; and magisterial district judge (District 49-03-04).
BENNER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS — TWO-YEAR TERM
Candidates (choose 1): Randall Moyer Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: No response.
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
Candidates (choose 2):
L. Eric Bernier
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: As an existing council member, my priorities are already integrated into the township’s budget, Capital Improvement Plan, vision and mission statement. This council has worked collaboratively over the last year to develop these tools to represent to the residents our guiding principles and our action plan. I believe the recent pandemic though has put our priorities in a slightly different context and given us reason to reemphasize our commitment to virtual public engagement, mobility options, and recreational opportunities. This community is blessed with residents who bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise to the table. I have always relied heavily on community engagement and common sense throughout my professional career and my time on both the planning commission and council. So, if reelected, I will continue to be very deliberate and methodical on all issues to ensure that everyone interested has an opportunity to be heard as part of the decision-making process.
Dustin Best
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: 1. Environmental sustainability and protection. Let’s be smart about how we move forward with our residential and commercial development. We must take action today to do our part to combat climate change. 2. Improving our government efficiency. We must look internally at how we are running our government and find ways to gain efficiency. I would like to make continuous improvement part of the culture. 3. Resident experience. Let’s continue to improve the experience of live, work and play for all residents in the township.
Anthony Fragola
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: If re-elected. I will first thank all for the opportunity to serve and continue to work with our current council, township staff and residents to achieve and maintain our priorities to the benefit of our township and residents. Current interests and objectives are: 1. The township is currently working on a pedestrian master plan. What this entails is reviewing areas within the township in which we can have a better walkable, bike-able sidewalks and paths in our community. 2. The township is currently working on a small area plan. This entailed and involved a study which reviewed our current zoning uses in our commercial and industrial development zones to assist council in looking into other current, more up-to-date zoning uses which may be beneficial in encouraging job creating commercial development within our community. 3. Continue to work with and listen to the voices of our residents and to represent all in keeping College Township a great place to live, work, learn and play.
HARRIS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Candidates (choose 1):
Dennis Hameister
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My priorities are: 1) Ensuring efficient and reliable municipal services, such as road maintenance, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, fire and police protection, sewer, water, trash and recycling systems, by working cooperatively with local and regional programs. 2) Managing growth and development through good planning principles and efforts of our planning commission and the Centre Region Planning Agency. Of particular interest is preservation of open space and working with our agricultural community to increase success by diversifying their operations. Affordable workforce housing is also important for township growth and development. 3) Providing safe, efficient, and affordable transportation in Harris Township is important because all residents depend on transportation. Current issues include sidewalks and bike paths connecting neighborhoods, intersection safety and highway design, encouraging use of CATA, safe bridges and improvements to U.S. Route 322.
Franklin Harden
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My priority has been and will remain to serve the people of Harris Township. This drives my decisions. We have accomplished a lot of good things in the past 6 years. Going forward, there are a lot of challenges for the board of supervisors. We have been very good at fiscal management, however, there has been growth keeping up with expenses. Growth may not continue at that rate, so we will need to pay attention to expenses and level of services. The other area that is a potential issue is parks and recreation. With our growth, to maintain and create new opportunities, we will need to be fiscally responsible.
PATTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS — SIX-YEAR TERM
Candidates (choose 1):
Sultan Magruder
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: If elected, my top three priorities will focus on: housing, small business and parks and recreation. First, I would like to see an increase in affordable workforce housing with pathways to renting and home ownership. I would address this issue by advocating for and approving new housing development projects that incorporates affordable housing options for the Patton Township workforce. Second, I want to support the establishment and maintenance of small local businesses to increase employment opportunities for Patton Township residents, keep monies circulating in the local economy, and increase the uniqueness of businesses in Patton Township. I would address this issue by approving sensible policies, zoning ordinances, land use and tax rates that achieves this goal. Last, it is my hope to support the maintenance and revitalization of parks and recreation in Patton Township so as to help facilitate community building and promote the health and well-being of Patton Township residents.
PATTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS — UNEXPIRED FOUR-YEAR TERM
Candidates (choose 1):
Pamela Robb
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: *Consistent communication regarding initiatives that impact our neighborhoods. I will utilize networks I’ve established in the community to transmit information and encourage feedback and will create new opportunities for soliciting community participation. *Sustainable and affordable housing. There is a need for affordable housing for those who reside in our community. I will raise concerns when developers present proposals that do not align with maintaining affordable housing and push for public officials and residents to remain open to alternative ideas that further our housing goals. *Ensure that the board continues to promote social justice. The pandemic and current racial climate has demonstrated that communities continue to experience inequality within employment, housing, education and healthcare. I have raised important questions related to police reform, discrimination and harassment and accessibility to transportation and will continue to do so in my second term.
PATTON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS — UNEXPIRED TWO-YEAR TERM
Candidates (choose 1):
Betsy Whitman
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: 1) Climate responsibility. As chair of the COG (Council of Government) Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, I guide and advise COG staff to educate the public on climate issues and take action to achieve pragmatic, fiscally responsible and equitable environmental stewardship. See, for example, centresustains.com.
2) Workforce housing. The Centre Region needs more housing for teachers, nurses, police, clerks and cashiers. I am an active member of the Patton Housing Task Force which researches housing options and will educate and advocate for fiscally and socially responsible solutions. 3) Communication. A community operates best when members are readily informed and can easily offer feedback on day-to-day township needs and activities, eg., traffic and roads; development and zoning; policing; health and safety; parks and open space. I will guide the content and function of the township’s new website, which I and another supervisor initiated.
RUSH TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Candidates (choose 1):
Pat Romano Jr.
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Our top three priorities are already in motion. In my first year, we started a blight program to remove dilapidated structures and work to have properties cleaned up to make the area safer and less unsightly. We’ve recently applied for and received grants to help mitigate costs and avoid using township funds that should be reimbursed. Secondly, we have some major projects in the planning phase that I would be honored to see through to completion. We have a $3 million dollar road project a large portion of which is funded by grants with a low percent match from the township and a $7 million dollar sewer project that has been rumored for a couple couples. Lastly, we have other projects and need to have them done as effectively as possible while avoiding a local tax.
At last check, Rush is one of only two municipalities in Centre County that has no local millage and we plan to keep it that way. My goal is to remain focused on our future.
SPRING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Candidates (choose 1):
Dave Capperella
Party: Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: No response.
WALKER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Candidates (choose 1):
Keith Harter
Party: Democrat
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: No response.
