Business owner challenges incumbent in Republican primary for Chambersburg mayor
A local business owner is challenging the incumbent. a retired borough police officer, for the role of mayor of Chambersburg in the Republican primary election on May 18.
Kenneth "Hockey" Hock hopes to win the party's nomination over Walt Bietsch, who was elected in 2017. The Republican who receives the most votes will go up against the lone Democratic candidate, Marvin Worthy, in November, barring a write-in campaign.
In Chambersburg, the mayor's primary role is to oversee the police department. The elected official is also the primary ceremonial figure for the borough and serves for four years.
We asked both candidates the same three questions. The responses they submitted are below, with only light editing for clarity.
Walt Bietsch
Age: 69
Occupation: Mayor of Chambersburg
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for mayor of Chambersburg?
As many folks know, in Pennsylvania a Borough mayor’s statutory authority is the full control and oversight of a Borough police department. My 19 year career with the Chambersburg Police Department and as well as having served for 6 different mayors, prepared me for the challenge of being the mayor of our rapidly growing municipality. As Borough Mayor since October 2017, I have provided our Chief of Police with my institutional knowledge, insight, advice and guidance, as we made great strides in developing an even more effective and productive police agency.
Additionally, in an effort to limit the tax liability of our Borough property owners, I collaborated with our local state elected officials in obtaining a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant from the Commonwealth in the amount of 1.75 million dollars. I am currently involved in a similar grant application process, seeking an additional 2 million dollars in RACP funds to further limit local Borough real estate taxes.
Chambersburg’s theme is “a clean, green, safe and healthy community.” Why is this true? If you don’t think it is, how can the town get on the right path?
Our theme is what I consider a community philosophy. Our Borough government has an on-going mission to maintain clean streets and parks throughout our community. We have a fulltime employee assigned to our downtown area, with responsibility for maintaining the area and keeping the public trash receptacles emptied. All Borough streets are cleaned by our street sweeper throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.
We benefit from a community partnership with a number of organizations that work hard to keep our Borough clean with efforts such as groups cleaning up the Conococheague Creek which flows through our community, along with picking up trash in public areas.
Chambersburg is a tree friendly community and we maintain a Shade Tree Committee to advise Borough council on all matters involving trees along Borough streets and in our parks. The Office of the Mayor maintains a membership in the Arbor Day Foundation in support of our being designated a Tree City USA community.
Our Borough has worked diligently to maintain green areas in our community, in an effort to be environmentally friendly.
Our Borough has fulltime public safety services provided by the Chambersburg Police and Fire Departments, making Chambersburg a safe place to live and work.
What are 2-3 issues or efforts affecting Chambersburg that you want to work on if you are elected mayor, and why?
I am encouraged by the Borough’s effort to revitalize the South Gate Mall. This mall is very important to our Third Ward and the residents who live nearby. It is somewhat of a food desert with only one small grocery store located there, causing residents to travel to the east side of the Borough to acquire groceries.
I am concerned by the lack of viable public transportation in our area. I am participating in an Employer/Public Transportation initiative hosted by Capital Area Transit and Rabbit Transit transportation organizations. This initiative is exploring the needs of employers along the I-81 corridor from Chambersburg to Harrisburg. It is hoped that the development of a robust public transportation route along the corridor will make employment opportunities available to residents, who may not possess viable transportation to places of employment. I will be a forum participant on May 18th to begin exploring the needs and solutions to meet these public transportation needs.
Kenneth Hock
Age: 46
Occupation: Owner, Factory Direct Carpets
Considering your experiences and background, why are you the best choice for mayor of Chambersburg?
I have been a part of the Chambersburg community my entire life. I am a class of ´93 Chambersburg Area Senior High School graduate and local business owner. I feel being involved in a local business and its daily operations for the past 13 years has provided many experiences I can bring to the role of Mayor. On a daily basis I work with budgets, employees, contracting crews, rules and regulations. My favorite part of owning a local business, I get to meet and work with lots of local people. I have seen some ups and downs, but have always worked hard for my family, my co-workers and everyone I was doing business with. I will bring that solid work ethic and enjoyment of working with people to the role of Mayor and work hard to keep Chambersburg a great place to live, work and play.
Chambersburg’s theme is “a clean, green, safe and healthy community.” Why is this true? If you don’t think it is, how can the town get on the right path?
I would say Chambersburg is all of those things. I've always spent time downtown. It's always been safe and clean. I believe all our local people want it to be that way and if we all work together it will continue to be the clean, green, safe and healthy community we all love.
What are 2-3 issues or efforts affecting Chambersburg that you want to work on if you are elected mayor, and why?
I want all of Chambersburg to know they have someone who will be here, be involved, listen and they will know who their mayor is. Hopefully as things continue to open up we can all come together and support all of our local businesses and events.
I want to have a social media outlet where we're all up to date on what's going on in the community and where I can post updates.
As for any actual issues, I look forward to working with our police chief and officers and helping wherever I can. We have a strong police force and our chief is doing an excellent job. I look forward to supporting them and their efforts.
Borough Council races
One seat in each of the five wards on Chambersburg Borough Council is up for election this cycle, but none of the races are contested in the primary election.
There is one Democratic candidate for each open seat and a Republican candidate for every seat except the Fourth Ward's.
Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.