Candidates speak at Democrat streak bake

STEAKBAKE

Attending the recent SteakBake fundraiser were, in the front row from left, Wyoming Co. auditor Laura Dickson and Susquehanna County Chairman Bob McNamara. In the back row are Max Myers, Commissioner MaryAnn Warren, State Chairman Jim Burn, Mark Critz and John Heptig.

 

BY HELEN B. FOSTER

Correspondent

 

Candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, State Representatives as well as the Democrat State Chairman attended the Susquehanna County Steak Bake on Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Harford Fire Hall.

County Chairman Bob McNamara hosted the event that was first held in 1980.

McNamara introduced not only the candidates but Commissioner MaryAnn Warren who gave an update on county happenings and new employees.

Max Myers from Mechanicsburg has announced he is running for governor as he feels Gov. Tom Corbett is not moving Pennsylvania forward.

“This is not only possible but necessary,” the candidate said. He focused on funding for public schools, jobs with livable wages and the need to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States and Pennsylvania.

In recapping the decisions made for the county, Commissioner Warren said the county is looking to privatizing the Recycling Center.

She said that Constance Hitchcock of Bridgewater Township has been hired to fill the open position of Chief Clerk, and a new Director of Veterans Affairs was to start Sept. 23.

Warren thanked all who volunteer their time to serve on county advisory committees. She relinquished the podium after quoting Ayn Rand, “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.”

Democrat State Chairman Jim Burn congratulated Chairman McNamara and the local committee for all the hard work they do for the party.

“If all 67 counties band together we can make a difference,” Burn said. “After election the business of the county, state and nation must be a priority, and the next time around we will put a Democrat in the Governor’s mansion.”

Mark Critz, a candidate for lieutenant governor said he can do what a person running for this office does, help the gubernatorial candidate get elected.

“I bring a set of skills to this race that will do that job,” he said.

John Heptig, candidate for State Representative, Pennsylvania’s 111^th House District, spoke of the goals he will focus on if he is elected. These goals include improving the environment; quality health care; reform the over populated prison system; improve the general working conditions for all Pennsylvanians.

“We as a society need to look at who is suffering the most,” he said. Heptig supports increasing the minimum wage as he said he feels if you put in 40 hours of work a week you should be able to support your family.

Wyoming County auditor Laura Dickson was introduced along with Susquehanna elected officials: Commissioner Alan Hall; Sheriff Lance Benedict; Prothonotary Sue Eddleston.

Members of the county committee who worked with the chairman on this annual event were: Rick Ainey, Nancy and Tom Hurley and Carol McNamara. The 50/50 drawing was won by the Richard Zicks who donated the money back to the party.