CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield Democratic Party sponsored a meet the candidates night at the IBEW on Leonard Street Thursday night.
Candidates running for county and municipal offices made themselves available to the public, introduced themselves and answered questions.
Mark McCracken, incumbent county commissioner running for a second term, discussed his accomplishments during his first term.
“Clearfield County is moving in the right direction,” said McCracken.
McCracken also discussed accomplishments in economic development that have occurred during his term. He discussed the loss of industry in the county 30 years ago and current plans for two ethanol plants within the county as well as the River Hill project in Karthaus.
“We’re seeing these new industries coming in,” said McCracken.
McCracken also discussed improvements made in the radio systems for emergency responders.
“I like to look at problems and find unique solutions,” said McCracken.
“Mark and I have different strengths,” said Rex Read. Read is also an incumbent in the county commissioner’s office running for re-election. “We realize we need to work off of each other’s strengths.”
Read said that when he entered office, he would work with all the state and federal officials he could to help Clearfield County. He said that in that time he and McCracken have met with a number of officials.
Read discussed his strengths and interests. He said that the county is currently in the process of a $1.2 to $1.3 million energy savings program. He said that he is also very interested in the personnel standpoint with the county’s employees.
“This job is much more than a sound bite or photo op,” said Read.
Henry Guthrie is running for the position of register/recorder. Guthrie said that he wants to work on efficiency in the office of the register/recorder.
“It’s an ongoing and constant pursuit to make things more efficient,” said Guthrie.
Current Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. is also up for re-election this November.
Shaw said that he has worked in the district attorney’s office for a total of 10 years.
“One thing about government is people get complacent,” said Shaw. He then discussed the changes he has made in the district attorney’s office since he was elected.
Shaw said that two years ago his office went through over 200,000 pieces of paper in copies to provide defense attorney’s with discovery. Shaw said that he had Web site developed and scans the discovery material. He then sends the defense attorney’s a username and password to access that material on the Web.
“I like to be cutting edge,” said Shaw. “We look at ways to cut costs.”
Shaw said that he has also worked to help bring about video conferencing for the arraignment of criminals. Before that was in place police would have to take a suspect to wherever the on-call district judge was located. This could mean that a police officer in the City of DuBois may have to travel to Houtzdale to have a defendant arraigned.
He also discussed the development of allowing the public to anonymously e-mail tips on criminals to his office, the creation of the Clearfield County DUI Strike Force and other measures he has taken as district attorney.
Candidates running for municipal offices were also introduced. Lou Anne Bolton, running for tax collector in Houtzdale Borough, Dana McGarvey, running for auditor in Beccaria Township, Edith Cruise, running for tax collector in Beccaria Township, and John Jack Gallagher, running for Coalport Borough Council.
State Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 Houtzdale, added these words near the end of the evening.
“This is an important election. They’re all important elections.”