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Candidates acknowledge Blair County’s woes

By Kay Stephens

kstephens@altoonamirror.com

Republican candidates running for Blair County commissioner had a chance Thursday to distinguish themselves in a race where six candidates are vying for two nominations in the May 21 primary.

In an event hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Council of Republican Women, candidates acknowledged Blair County’s problems, including an ongoing decline in population, an increase in real estate taxes and the aftermath from the first reassessment in 58 years.

They also acknowledged the county’s high turnover of employees, its costly prison operation and the need to avoid delayed maintenance of buildings.

“Your county commissioners are going to have some tough decisions to make in the next four years,” candidate Bruce Kelley of Altoona told Republicans gathered at the Altoona Grand Hotel, touting his experience as a member of City Council and former aide to state and federal lawmakers.

Experience and knowledge will make a difference, said incumbent Commissioner Bruce Erb of Hollidaysburg, who is finishing his first term in office.

Money will make a difference too, based on answers from the five candidates present. Candi­date Chuck Gojmerac of Roaring Spring was unable to attend.

The county’s $10 minimum wage needs to higher so it’s competitive with pay offered by other local employers, candidate Debra Weston of Tyrone said.

The county has commissioned a salary study to identify low wages contributing to high turnover, Erb said. But that study is expected to generate some costly recommendations.”There will have to be a tax increase to pay for those,” Erb said.

Candidate Amy Webster said the county, as a public sector employer, needs to address jobs and salaries much like private sector employers.

Pay needs to be merit-based, she said, and reflective of fringe benefits.

Candidate Joseph Zolna said he’s interested in further study of county expenses and identifing cuts, so money is available for other needs. He also offered a personal pledge toward that effort.

“I will sleep in that courthouse to get things sorted out if I have to,” Zolna said.

All the candidates except Weston said that if elected, the commissioner job would be their only job. Weston, an MRI technologist, said she would be a full-time commissioner but also maintain enough hours at Penn State to keep her pension intact.

Commissioner candidates were also asked to comment on the nearly $70,000 annual salary for the commissioner’s post in comparison to the county’s typical household income of $43,000.

“Who needs $70,000?” Webster asked in responding to the question. “It’s not justifiable around here.”

Kelley said he would forego increases beyond his starting pay and direct that money back to the county.

Weston said she, too, would be interested in contributing a portion of her commissioner pay back to the county.

Erb pointed out during his response that the commissioners are in charge of a

$55 million budget and more than 500 employees. To attract good people to office, he said the position needs to offer a higher salary.

Zolna made no promises, but offered a different view of the $70,000 salary previously set by county leaders.

“This is a service to the county,” Zolna said. “I could do the job for much less.”

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.

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