- Provide a brief professional and personal background.
I am a graduate of the Clearfield Area High School and Washington & Jefferson College, and earned my Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law.
I currently have my own law practice in Clearfield and serve as president of the Clearfield County Bar Association. Prior to opening my own office, I was with the firm of Naddeo & Lewis LLC.
In addition to my private practice work, I serve as both an adult and juvenile defense attorney, some appointed by the court, and have served in this capacity since obtaining my license to practice law in Pennsylvania.
During law school, I interned with the Honorable Judge Schwab in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and prior to that, with the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome, Italy.
As a way to give back to the community, I serve numerous charitable organizations throughout Clearfield County to include:Â president of the Good Samaritan Center, former president of the Clearfield YMCA, solicitor for the Bucktail Council (Boy Scouts of America), solicitor for the Greater Clearfield Chamber of Commerce, solicitor for the Clearfield Education Foundation, solicitor for St. Francis Parish and a board member of Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre Inc.
I believe that helping and mentoring youth is important to our county. I am a Boy Scout merit badge counselor, former lodge advisor for the Order of the Arrow (Ah’Tic Lodge) and advisor for the Chamber’s Exploring Program in the Clearfield and Curwensville School Districts.
I am an Eagle Scout (2003), and as well, have been honored with the Duquesne University Mind, Heart and Spirit Award (2013), the Clearfield Chamber Director’s Choice Award (2017) and the Boy Scout’s Silver Beaver Award (2018).
I am the son of Paul and Therese Sayers of Frenchville. I am a parishioner and choir member of St. Francis Church, a member of the Clearfield Choral Society and an avid outdoorsman that enjoys hunting, hiking, camping and kayaking.
- Why did you choose to run for the office of Clearfield County District Attorney?
It is evident that there is a drug epidemic across both the Commonwealth and our county, with Clearfield being significantly worse than others in Pennsylvania. I believe that combating this plague starts with the office of District Attorney.
I am running to be the next district attorney of Clearfield County because I have the experience and motivation necessary to work with the court, criminal attorneys, commissioners, law enforcement officers and staff to curtail the drugs and crime that are prevalent in our county.
I was born in Clearfield County and have made it a point to serve numerous civic organizations in our community. I have done this because I am genuinely concerned about our communities and want the best for future generations.
As the chief prosecutor of crimes and also an educator, the district attorney plays a key role in shaping the future of our county. I want to continue my service to Clearfield County as district attorney.
- How many cases have you tried in court?
Since getting my law license, I have handled numerous civil and criminal cases. I am in the courtroom multiple times per week for hearings where I have to question and cross-examine witnesses, enter exhibits of record and make arguments on behalf of my clients.
I am no stranger to the courtroom and find myself there on a regular basis, which is contrary to what my opponent wants the voters to believe.
- If elected, what would be your top priority as Clearfield County District Attorney?
My top priority as district attorney would be to change the current manner that we prosecute drug cases in Clearfield County.
I would work with the judges, commissioners, Probation Department, law enforcement and counselors to institute a Drug Court program, which has proven to be successful in getting low-level drug users the help they need to be productive members of society and break the cycle of addiction, while saving the taxpayers money on costs associated with the criminal justice system.
Additionally, I would make it clear to criminals and defense attorneys that if a person is caught selling, manufacturing or distributing hard drugs in this county, my office will be pushing for that person to do time in state prison, and not in our overcrowded county jail.
- What are the greatest challenges facing the District Attorney’s Office? If elected, how would you overcome them?
There are two major challenges currently facing the District Attorney’s Office. The first is the low number of cases that move to trial through the DA’s office.
As a defense attorney, I have personally seen that many times cases are not taken to trial—deals are cut and charges lessened to get a conviction.
If elected, I will not be afraid to take cases to trial and ensure that the assistant district attorneys follow suit.
Secondly, like most offices in the county, there are budgeting issues and overall funding concerns. As district attorney, I will work with the commissioners and grant writers to ensure that the District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement have the resources necessary to handle criminal cases in Clearfield County.
- What do you think is the most effective way to deal with low-level drug offenders?
It is a proven fact that unless an addict gets help, they will likely never break the cycle of their addiction. With that in mind, some Pennsylvania counties have had Drug Court Programs for over 20 years.
The purpose of these specialized courts is to get these individuals the help they need and hold them accountable while they get clean.
A person in the program is required to undergo counseling, constant drug testing, have a job, maintain housing, do community service and other requirements to be a productive member of society over a prolonged period of time to get out of they cycle of using drugs.
- As District Attorney, what do you think is the best way to deal with the overpopulation issue at the Clearfield County Jail?
I believe in a two-fold approach to alleviating the overpopulation and expenditure issue with the Clearfield County Jail.
First, the district attorney can work with the judges, commissioners and other courthouse departments to institute specialized courts, like Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Court.
These specialized courts are proven ways to help people with addiction or mental health issues, as well as helping to save Clearfield taxpayers the costs associated with incarcerating these low-level offenders.
National statistics show that for every dollar spent on a Drug Court Program, the county saves, on average, between two and three dollars.
It could be argued that because of the steep costs associated with our county jail, that our county could save more than the average.
Second, the district attorney should seek harsher sentences for major offenders. While plea deals do help save some time and cost related to prosecution, the district attorney should also be concerned with making sure that more individuals do time in state prison, instead of our county jail.
Instead of always looking to plea a case, the district attorney should not back down from a trial if the defendant should be in state prison, instead of the county jail.
- What new programs and policies would you implement as District Attorney to reduce crime and to increase public safety in Clearfield County?
As stated in previous answers, I believe that our county is in desperate need of a proper Drug Court Program to help break the cycle of crime and addiction for low-level users.
My opponent claims to have started a Drug Court in Clearfield County on Oct. 23, 2019, which coincidently was 13 days before Election Day.
As a defense attorney that has been court-appointed to represent low-level drug users, I never heard about a pilot program to deal with low-level users until it was announced a week ago.
Additionally, by its definition, a Drug Court requires involvement of the court. However, there is no Administrative Order that I am aware of and a majority of the magistrates are unaware of such a program.
When elected district attorney, I will work with the court, commissioners, Probation Officers, Clearfield Jefferson Drug & Alcohol Commission and other entities to implement a proper Drug Court in Clearfield County that meets the certification standards of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. (For more information please refer to http://www.pacourts.us/judicial-administration/court-programs/drug-courts.)
- As District Attorney, what would you do to develop a trusting relationship with the communities of Clearfield County?
The district attorney is not only the chief law enforcement officer of the county, but is also an advocate and educator. I believe that the district attorney has a responsibility to be in the schools and communities to inform children and families about the dangers of drugs and other crimes.
That is why I have been proud and honored to work with the Greater Clearfield Chamber of Commerce, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Clearfield, Curwensville and Moshannon Valley School Districts to implement the Exploring Program in those schools.
It is important that these students hear about local opportunities for jobs and careers, while also hearing how drugs and reckless behavior at their young age can derail plans for the future.
As district attorney, I will continue to work with the Exploring Program, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other civic organizations to reach these students and communities with the goal of breaking the cycle of drugs and criminal behavior.
- What do you think makes you the better candidate for Clearfield County District Attorney?
In addition to my experience as a criminal and civil attorney, as well as, an administrator, I have a fresh perspective and new ideas for managing the criminal justice system in Clearfield County.
As the candidate that does not currently work for or in the District Attorney’s Office, I have a unique viewpoint. It is imperative that our system in Clearfield County does not become complacent because ‘that is the way it has always been done.’
I will embrace new ideas, policies and procedures that will make the Office of District Attorney function more efficiently, while prosecuting criminals to the fullest extent and making Clearfield County a better place to live and work.
That is why I am asking for your vote on Nov. 5 to be the next district attorney of Clearfield County.
