Franklin County commissioner race: Q&A with Republican candidates
There's a race for the two Republican nominations for Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
David Keller and Bob Thomas, both long-time incumbents, want to keep their seats.
Julia Lehman, a county employee, and local business owner John Flannery hope voters will choose new faces.
Commissioners serve four-year terms. The three-person board is the chief governing body of the county. The commissioners oversee a wide range of county offices and services, manage the budget and approve county projects, among other things.
The two Republican candidates who receive the most votes in the primary election on May 21 will move on to the general election in November. The nominees will face off against the two Democrats, and the three top vote-getters will win seats.
The Democratic race is not contested in the primary. The two candidates are incumbent Bob Ziobrowski and Sheri Morgan, an employee of the Franklin/Fulton Mental Health Association.
More:2019 primary election: Who are the candidates for offices in Franklin County?
More:Will the voting system change in Franklin County? Yes, and no.
More:Wet vs. dry: Could two Franklin County townships allow alcohol sales in the future?
We asked each Republican candidate to respond to four questions. Their answers are below.
David Keller
Borough/township of residence: Chambersburg
Current occupation: County Commissioner
Experience: 12 years of service as county commissioner and 10 years as board chairman, 14 years of private sector experience as a computer and computer network salesman and consultant, 6 years of service in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I am a licensed attorney, and have served on numerous non-profit boards in the community.
Why do you want to serve as county commissioner? Franklin County is a great place to live, and I want to help keep it that way. That means providing for public safety and promoting the health and general well-being of county residents. It also means providing limited but effective government, keeping taxes low to promote economic development, supporting farmers to preserve our rural heritage, supporting redevelopment to keep our towns and villages vibrant, keeping our streets safe, preserving our history, providing outdoor recreational opportunities, and being there for our most vulnerable citizens with effective human services. They are all things I’ve done as your county commissioner, but there’s more work to be done and I believe with my experience I can best get the job done.
What sets you apart from the other candidates? I’ve served as chairman of the board of commissioners for the last 10 years. Privatizing the nursing home, case management services, the visitor’s bureau, and transportation services all involved difficult decisions, which have saved taxpayers millions of dollars. Reducing taxpayer burden for pension and healthcare expenses for county elected officials and employees have also required difficult decisions, and have resulted in savings for taxpayers as well. As chairman, I have provided the leadership needed to guide the board of commissioners and the county in making these decisions.
What is the biggest issue facing Franklin County, and what should be done about it? The county’s population has grown by nearly 40 percent in the last 40 years, and so the county has embarked upon a facility improvement project that will take the better part of four years to complete. Once complete, the project will greatly improve public safety, the administration of justice, and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of county government. There are other issues that will face Franklin County over the next four years, but this is the biggest. It is critical that the facilities project be completed on time and on budget. Doing so will require the focus and constant attention of the commissioners and our staff. At the same time, all the other vitally important services that the county provides must continue to be provided without fail. 911 dispatch, child protective services, veterans services, elder abuse investigations, help for individuals with developmental disabilities, substance abuse treatment, and many others. Regardless of the service, there is no room for error. There is no question that overseeing the successful completion of the county’s facilities improvement project while also ensuring the continued effectiveness of all other county programs and services will be our biggest challenge and will require us to stay focused on our core mission and to work within our budgetary limits.
We’ve heard opposition from readers on the need and cost for a new court facility, and on historic buildings being demolished for it. What is your response to these folks? Since the last major expansion of court facilities in 1979, the county has grown by 40 percent but our facilities have not grown adequately and the expansion that has occurred has become fragmented around the Chambersburg area. As a result, court and county operations are not as safe, efficient or effective as the taxpayers deserve them to be. This is based on two independent studies the county had done in 2009. The need was justified then, and the need has only increased as the county has continued to grow. The project, which actually includes the construction or renovation of four buildings, will cost the average taxpayer less than $30 a year, which we believe to be a reasonable investment in the future of our county. As for historic buildings, the commissioners have a strong history of supporting the preservation of historic structures. In the case of the former Chambersburg Trust Building, I’ve always liked the look of it and so it was a tough decision for me to tear it down but I felt that it would not be practical to retrofit it for court or further county use.
More:Dave Keller seeks fourth term as Franklin County commissioner
Bob Thomas
Borough/township of residence: Chambersburg
Current occupation: County commissioner
Experience: Has served as county commissioner since 1995 and has been on many county boards in that time.
Why do you want to serve as county commissioner? I enjoy helping and communicating with the people of Franklin County and through many of these interactions, I learn of issues or problems. This leads to finding solutions that in some cases require legislation; sometimes it’s a matter of figuring out a local solution. This has led me to be very engaged in early education initiatives, justice reform and reentry, mental health, emergency services, transportation and clean water initiatives. My desire to serve another term is driven by my passion to solve problems and to keep Franklin County a great place to live, work and play.
What sets you apart from the other candidates? My experience, knowledge and involvement at all levels of government cannot be matched. Because of my tenure and involvement at both the federal and state levels, I know where to go or who to speak with on a variety of issues or topics. This also helps Franklin get a head start for grant funding. I have been involved with affecting legislation on both the federal and state levels. Recently, I was one of two commissioners in the nation to be invited to the White House to discuss ideas for the next steps in criminal justice reforms. I have a long list of accomplishments from land preservation to traffic improvements.
What is the biggest issue facing Franklin County, and what should be done about it? The demands for services are growing at a fast pace. Just a few of these services are D&A, Mental Health, Early Intervention, Children & Youth and Jail and court services. Many solutions are already in full swing with more to come. The best example of this is the co-responder program in southern Franklin County, which was recently expanded into Chambersburg. We call this connecting the unconnected. Many in our community in need of support are not receiving the services available and this includes veterans.
Another opportunity to turn the tide is perhaps the ultimate solution to solve many social problems. That is to reach out to families of children and newborns. That is the goal of Hope from the Start, a new initiative that when fully implemented will help all families with the knowledge and support needed to ensure their children are ready for learning from day 1, which is when learning starts. There is much evidence that confirms the first three years of a child’s life determines their future in many ways.
We’ve heard opposition on the need and cost for a new court facility and on historic buildings being demolished for it. What is your response to these folks? As the county has grown, so have the demands for court services and judges. The courthouse annex, built in 1976, has been outgrown and was not designed for today’s standards for security. The new courthouse will serve our county efficiently for many decades to come. Regarding the cost, my opponents have been spreading false stories about the cost. I want to set the record straight, the stated cost is what it will be. About the old building, I agree the old Trust Company Building looked nice and was part of the streetscape for 100 years. But the building was not energy efficient nor was it designed for operational efficiency. Furthermore, the building was a nightmare for ADA accessibility. The courthouse is to be a safe house that needs to be easily accessible to all. When completed, the new courthouse will serve us well and respectfully complement our historic courthouse. This will become the look that will be appreciated by future generations.
More:County Commissioner Bob Thomas seeks re-election
Julia Lehman
Borough/township of residence: Chambersburg
Current occupation: Communications Coordinator for Franklin County
Experience: I have prior county government experience including working for the Franklin County Criminal Justice Advisory Board and Franklin County Grants Department. I managed North Square Farmers Market for seven years, working with small businesses and family farms from across the county. I'm currently part of the North Square Farmers Market Steering Committee, on the Board of Directors for South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP), and facilitate Strengthening Families 10-14 through Healthy Communities Partnership.
Why do you want to serve as county commissioner? I have the heart of a public servant, experience in local government, and a love for our community which makes me uniquely qualified to serve as Commissioner. For the last ten years – whether it was working to benefit small businesses, farmers, and the local economy as a farmers market manager; helping to secure funding for county programs; supporting the work of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board; or working to provide transparency of county government operations to residents — my goal has been the same: to use my time, talent and energy for the good of the community. As Commissioner, I will be able to serve the public in a greater capacity, dedicating myself to representing the will of Franklin County citizens and advocating in the best interest of the community.
What sets you apart from other candidates? Hands-on. I have helped to develop programs and initiatives like Kids POP Club and Double Dollars at North Square Farmers Market, the Franklin Together Reentry Coalition, and Chambersburg Cares. I have worked to secure funding for programs for the Franklin County Jail, the Children’s Advocacy Center, Department of Drug & Alcohol, Veterans Affairs, Human Services, Healthy Communities Partnership and more. Knowing and working with different agencies and community populations allows me to be a better representative of the people of Franklin County.
Practical, not political. My goal is to be a true representative of Franklin County residents, and I will focus on transparency in government, community conversations, and practical decision making based on the will of the people. My motivation is to do what is best for the county and not necessarily what is best for re-election.
Accountability. Holding a public office is the epitome of accountability since elected officials answer to the people they represent. As a citizen, I want my elected officials to be accessible and transparent in their actions. As Commissioner, I will work to create avenues of direct communication, stream and/or record public meetings for convenient public viewing, and offer opportunities that encourage community conversations. Through accessibility and transparency, we can re-establish a relationship between Franklin County citizens and the representatives they elect.
What is the biggest issue facing Franklin County, and what should be done about it? The biggest issue facing Franklin County is the impact of substance abuse on county resources, public safety and our citizens’ well being. In 2017, 42 percent of all Franklin County criminal cases were due to DWI/DUI. That same year Pennsylvania State Police in Chambersburg made 703 DUI arrests and responded to 126 DUI-related vehicle crashes. These are significant numbers. The opioid crisis has added a considerable amount of urgency to the safety of both Franklin County citizens and our first responders — many county, court, and community agencies are involved in finding a solution.
Also concerning is youth involvement with substance abuse. According to 2017 Pennsylvania Youth Survey results, our youth show higher than state average rates of non-medical use of prescription drugs and I think it is worth mentioning that over 1/3 report feeling sad or depressed most days.
As a key element in a long-term solution for Franklin County’s substance abuse issue, I propose consistent, age-appropriate, prevention education in our school districts. Prevention education programs not only educate on topics related to substance use and peer pressure, but also encourage students to identify and develop their strengths, goals, communication skills and natural supports. By making proactive efforts to decrease substance use in Franklin County, we will improve the safety of our residents, law enforcement and our first responders. We will save taxpayer money by lessening the burden on our court system and decreasing our jail population.We will improve the well being of our youth, our families, and our community as a whole.
Additionally, until this issue is under control, we should be extremely hesitant in considering legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes.
We’ve heard opposition on the need and cost for a new court facility and on historic buildings being demolished for it. What is your response to these folks?
Our current courthouse is inefficient and poses safety risks that are unacceptable. Changes needed to be made for the safety of everyone working or visiting court-related buildings, however I think that the planning process for this project deserved more community conversation, input, and collaboration.
Concerned Franklin County residents are our greatest asset because they care about our community and are rarely without proposed solutions. Elected officials would be wise to better engage the public. Our county will be stronger for it.
More:Franklin County's communications coordinator running for county commissioner
John Flannery
Borough/township of residence: Montgomery Township
Current occupation: Business Owner/Self-Employed
Experience: I have owned and operated four, successful businesses in Franklin County over the past 14 years, employing hundreds of people. As a small business owner, budgeting and operating within that budget is essential for success. My experience includes project management, leadership, management, budgeting, and community and guest service. I have served and have led several non-profit boards and committees throughout Franklin County; I believe that we cannot expect our community to support us if we are not willing to support our community. Just like I have with my businesses and community service, I want to bring a strong vision, desire to better our county, fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability to the commissioner’s office.
Why do you want to serve as county commissioner? In business, I am required to make good deals everyday or it affects not only my family’s livelihood, but also my employees, guests and the community. I do not see good deal-making currently taking place at the county level and I can do that for the taxpayers and residents of Franklin County. I care about this community and want to ensure Franklin County remains a wonderful place to do business, live, work and play.
What sets you apart from the other candidates? Our current commissioners are nice guys, but they are not true conservative Republicans. I want to bring that fiscal conservatism and good deal making back to county government. I am a businessman, not a career politician, and I never want to be a career politician. I believe in serving the community, bringing fresh values and ideas to the table and then moving on. To this point, I have committed to serving no more than two, successful terms as your county commissioner. I have created success for my family and staff by finding opportunities in the real world, not government bureaucracy. With the current meeting times and days, transparency and accountability does not exist because the working members of the public cannot actively participate. I plan to address this. One of my opponents has made Franklin County his second choice by seeking another elected position while in office, he since lost that seat; I will always put Franklin County as my first choice, not last.
What is the biggest issue facing Franklin County, and what should be done about it? It is hard to pinpoint one “biggest issue.” The concerns that I hear the most as I am out and about talking to Franklin County citizens are: tax increases, the opioid crisis, the courthouse project, services for Veterans and the aging population, as well as our agricultural community. The reality is, there are certain costs that go into county operations that go up, especially related to emergency services. It is crucial that we find other ways to help pay for these services, instead of spending almost $100 million on the “Palace of Justice” courthouse project. To this point, many of the issues that Franklin County is facing are going to require collaboration with our municipal leaders, state and federal officials. I feel that I am the candidate to facilitate these conversations and work with all stakeholders to address our issues. With a 48 combined years of collecting a taxpayer funded paycheck, our current commissioners are not succeeding in this. Many of our citizens struggle to pay their tax bills already; our current commissioners just about doubled the county’s debt service by borrowing $55 million for this courthouse and have already raised your taxes by 1.5 mills this year alone.
We’ve heard opposition from readers on the need and cost for a new court facility, and on historic buildings being demolished for it. What is your response to these folks? Unlike the current commissioners, I have actually talked with row officers, county staff and those working directly in the courts. Their concerns and actual needs have not been adequately addressed or heard with the current project. This project is wasteful, short-sighted and misses the mark for what is actually needed to efficiently run court operations. Speaking of making bad deals and a lack of transparency, why are we spending over $4 million in taxpayer dollars on an old car dealership that the county does not even own? As a project manager, I am shocked that it has taken 40 years to address the aging buildings. Where was the preventative maintenance? There is no doubt that security enhancements and improvements need to be made to these facilities, but much of this could have been avoided with proper planning and budgeting. Now, our current commissioners are buying up half of Chambersburg for top dollar and demolishing our historic landmarks.
More:Business owner John Flannery announces candidacy for Franklin County Commissioner
Correction: In the last paragraph under John Flannery, the total taxpayer dollars for the car dealership is $4 million. A spokesperson for the candidate provided a correction.