PHILIPSBURG – It’s not a question asked too often during election debates, but it was, perhaps, the most popular one for the audience and the candidates.
“What’s the best quality of your opponent?” Philipsburg-Osceola student Jesse Shetrom asked the two candidates on stage.
Daniel Nelson and Jerry Nevling, who are running for the magisterial district judge position in Kylertown in the May 17 primary election, smiled as they answered the question inside the Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School auditorium on May 6. The social studies department hosted the debate for seniors and juniors who are learning about local government in social studies classes. Shetrom served as the moderator for the debate, and teacher Nathan Mountain served as time keeper.
Nevling’s response: “Dan’s got a great heart. He’s very community-minded.” Nelson’s answer: “Jerry’s one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known … and his word stands. He follows through.”
That final question came after the candidates each explained their experience, qualifications and opinions about the office of the magisterial district judge.
Nelson has a law background and is a small-town attorney, with a practice on Front Street in Philipsburg. He is the former district court administrator for Clearfield County and served as a judicial law clerk for the Centre County Court of Common Pleas. Nevling has a law enforcement background and is a deputy sheriff in the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Office. He formerly worked as a part-time police officer for Chester Hill Police.
During the debate, the candidates often agreed with each other, but also showed differences in their perspectives based on their experiences. When asked the most pressing issue facing the office of the district judge, for example, Nevling said his belief is that the office in Kylertown is for the people.
“You gotta help the victims that come into that office,” he said.
Nelson had a different answer, and said budgets are going to be the No. 1 issue facing the court systems in Pennsylvania. The Kylertown office is no exception.
“We have got to find out how to do more with less money, and that will be a priority with me,” Nelson said.
At the end of the debate, which humorously featured left-over props from the P-O drama department’s recent production of High School Musical 2, students shouted approval for the winner of the debate – Shetrom, the moderator.
His prize? A photo-op holding the “Dazzling Star Award.”