Western Clinton County Election Roundup

by Barbara Mastriania

Several Contested Races in Renovo Area

RENOVO – The vitriol often heard in elections is not here, but there’s plenty of interest exhibited by vote-seekers in the Nov. 5 election in western Clinton County There are contested races in several municipalities: In Renovo Borough seven candidates are seeking five council seats: 4 four-year terms and one two-year term. In Chapman Township Alice Tarr is seeking to unseat 12-year veteran Tim Horner. In Noyes Township area native Richard Grenell and newcomer Juan Rivera are seeking a supervisor seat. There are no candidates on the ballot for supervisors in Grugan, East Keating or West Keating Townships. Chapman supervisors’ chairman, Republican Tim Horner is serving his third term and seeking a fourth. He is a road master and on the township’s planning commission. He is being challenged by Tarr, a Democrat waging a write-in campaign. Horner’s reasons for seeking another term he said, are basically to keep township finances in control without raising any taxes He said during his three terms the township has been fiscally responsible and has not had borrow to meet bills. When needed, the township has found grants to comply with mandatory state and federal program costs. He said he wants to make sure the township stays in compliance with state and federal laws and continues to benefit from grants that help improve roads and recreational areas. He adds the township benefits from Act 13 funds based on the number of natural gas wells in the township. A long-time member of the Chapman Township Fire Company, Horner said he wants the township to continue supporting the fire company with yearly donations that help insure quick responses to emergencies. He has served on many commissions at state and county level and currently serves as first vice president of the State Association of Supervisors. Tarr said her write-in campaign is a “grass roots” campaign. She is knocking on doors when time permits and asking backers to spread the word of her campaign. A long-time community resident she has been serving in volunteer positions in western Clinton County more than thirty years. She said Chapman needs to continue as a leader in Western Clinton County. She wants to promote and preserve the quality of life the township enjoys. “Protecting the natural resources and beauty and promoting the local economy of Western Clinton County have always been a priority for me,” she said. She’s also giving Chapman residents a choice, she said. “With only one name on the election ballot, there’s not a lot of choice.” She decided to run last spring but delayed campaigning because her late husband was very ill at the time. Tarr has served on numerous committees and commissions. She is a former chairman of Chapman’s planning commission and served on the township zoning hearing board. She was president of the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park and was instrumental in the formation of that group. She is currently the treasurer of Western Clinton Sportsman’s Association. Previously she coordinated the Renovo Mayor’s Revitalization Committee and an area Task Force committee that developed a Vision project for the area. In Noyes Township two candidates are vying for Ralph Summerson’s position, Richard Grenell whose name appears on both the Democrat and Republican ballots and independent Juan Rivera. Grenell said he’s running because he believes “there’s a need in our township for some things to get straightened out.” He said he thinks there’s room to improve the general workings of the township. He notes the township has money coming in from Act 13 and he wants to see that it’s used wisely, especially for road improvement. He’s been attending Noyes meetings most of the year and he thinks it’s time for a change. Some supervisors have been in office a long time, he said. “I feel is that there needs to be more cooperation with the surrounding boroughs and town ships.” he said. “Noyes Township needs to reach out and cooperate more,” he said. Challenger Juan Rivera is a Noyes Township employee. He said his promise to Noyes residents is that he is working for them. He is making the run for supervisor because he sees the road maintenance that needs done and he believes he can do a better job at getting it done. “It’s hard to say you work for the township then drive up Bitumen Road and Kettle Creek Road,” he said. “ I think it could be done better. I just feel I can get the job done.” He said he’s open to talk to anybody who has questions, and to ideas of how to make Noyes Township better. Rivera, 46, lives in Shintown with his wife, Bette. Prior to their move to there in 2011, they resided in Lewistown, Mifflin County. Renovo Borough Council has four open positions with four years and one two-year term up for election. There are six contenders for the four year terms and Colleen Testa is running for re-election to the two year term seat. The contenders for the four year seats are Paul Fantaskey, Kari Kepler, Merry Ann Olshefski, Mayor Donald Pagnotto, Patricia Rauch and Ann Tarantella. Fantaskey is a longtime council member. “I was born and raised here, I’m interested in Renovo and it’s progress.“ He said council has accomplished much in the past year including a newly paved section of St. Clair Avenue, cleaned up the Renovo High School site, demolished the Knights of Columbus building at Sixth and Erie Ave. at a cost of $20,000 rather than the previously estimated $100,000. He is particularly pleased with the work the PRR group is doing to clean and revitalize Renovo. He said his future vision for Renovo includes a walkway along the Susquehanna. Kari Kepler is conducting a write-in campaign to get elected to the seat she was appointed to in June. She has experience in grant writing and applied for the council opening because she thought she could help Renovo. She has been able to get a grant for a new vehicle for the Renovo Police Department. “I thought that I could help to pursue avenues of economic growth for the area,” she said. Kepler is active with the PRR group and helped with the fall cleanup prior to the Flaming Foliage Festival. She said the PRR activities are sending good vibes and she wants to be part of a continuation. “There definitely needs to be change. I want to see Renovo be pro-active rather than going back to fix things that should have been done before. It’s a pretty good vibe, I want to keep the feeling going all year round not just at Flaming Foliage.” Kepler is also interested in preserving assets rather than demolish buildings. “We need to identify them and find ways to keep them instead of tearing them down,” she said. “Hopefully we can get a fresh perspective and new ideas of how to put things in motion.” Merry Ann Olshefski is in her third term on council and seeking re-election. She wants to “continue to help make things better. I think people are getting more involved and would like to see more involvement,” she said. “It is good for Renovo and is making a difference.” She said the Erie Ave project was one of the borough’s biggest in recent years. Olshefski feels money is not always wisely spent in Renovo, but says she is only one voice on council. She would like to see a five year plan to appeal to more businesses in Renovo. Donald Pagnotto, has been Renovo’s mayor for 16 years .He is seeking a seat on council because he continues to be interested in the well being of his home town and the neighboring communities. He believes as a councilman, he could do more for the public. “I’ve always been for the communities and I have ideas for improvement,” he said. As mayor he does not have a vote other than to break a tie. He said he continues to oppose taxation increases in Renovo and as mayor vetoed every attempt to raise taxes. Patricia Rauch has been active in the Renovo community most of her life. She co-chaired Renovo’s Flaming Foliage Committee for 30 years, serving half of those as chairperson with her late husband, Alex. She is a 16 year member of the Renovo Rotary Club, and is now in her fifth term as club president. She is active in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church as greeter and a 20-year member of the Catholic Daughter s of the Americas, presently serving as treasurer. She is also a member of Renovo’s Revitalization and Renewing Committee and a member of Chapman Township Fire Hall. Rauch has a strong desire to find ways to bring more employment to Renovo, to have stronger enforcement of borough ordinances and to consider the possibility of a code enforcement officer, perhaps with the involvement of all 8 municipalities in Western Clinton County. She also wants to review the $141,000 proposed budget for four police officers for 2014. Ann Tarantella has been attending borough council meetings for the past several years and wants to help move Renovo forward. She believes she has the motivation and interest to make things happen for the good of Renovo. The daughter of former councilman George Simon, she grew up in Renovo and went to St. Josephs and Bucktail schools. “I don’t think council works together,” she said. She wants to see more cooperation, more street paving and participation in the PRR group of concerned citizens. She praised the group for its clean-up efforts prior to Flaming Foliage. “I want to see council with that kind of interest year round. To see everybody work to make Renovo more appealing,” she said. Colleen Testa seeks re-election to a two year term. She feels can make Renovo a better place to reside. “Basically, one of the biggest things I want is to make Renovo a safer, cleaner place where people can be proud to live here. She wants a clean, safe town all year not just when people come for Flaming Foliage. She said wants to bring the people in town closer together and focus on entire community, including outlying neighbors. “I have no personal agenda,” she said. “Everything I do is for all the community.” She was appointed to council last November.