New Eagle debate among candidates for state’s 49th District deemed civil
From left, Brandan Anthony Garay, Donn R. Henderson, Bob Kepics, Melanie S. Patterson, Mark L Alterici, Randy J. Barli, Alan D. Benyak and Bud Cook participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate.
From left, Brandan Anthony Garay, Donn R. Henderson, Bob Kepics and Melanie S. Patterson participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate.
From left, Mark L Alterici, Randy J. Barli, Alan D. Benyak and Bud Cook participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate. The seat has been filled by Rep. Pete Daley for three decades.
The crowd listens as candidates for the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District participate in a debate Thursday at New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department.
Observer-Reporter editorial page editor Brad Hundt moderates the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate on Thursday, April 7 at the New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department.
Candidates debate at the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate. More than 250 people attended the debate.
Mark L. Alterici and Randy J. Barli participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate. The seat has been filled by Rep. Pete Daley for three decades.
Alan D. Benyak and Bud Cook participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate. The seat has been filled by Rep. Pete Daley for three decades.
Brendan Anthony Garay and Donn R. Henderson participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate. The seat has been filled by Rep. Pete Daley for three decades.
Bob Kepics and Melanie S. Patterson participate in the Pennsylvania’s 49th Legislative District debate. The seat has been filled by Rep. Pete Daley for three decades.
NEW EAGLE – Six Democrats and two Republicans carried out civil discussions on topics ranging from gender equality to reducing college student debt when they debated Tuesday in advance of the spring primary in the race for the state House seat in the 49th District.
Moderator Brad Hundt said he wanted to call on different candidates to have them answer different questions to create a different kind of debate at New Eagle Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall before voters head to the polls April 26 in the district that represents much of the Mon Valley.
“The candidates will be on their toes,” said Hundt, editorial page editor at the Observer-Reporter, a sponsor of the event along with the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Democratic candidates are Alan D. Benyak of Carroll Township, Donn R. Henderson of Fallowfield Township, Randy J. Barli of Coal Center, Brendan Anthony Garay of California, Mark L. Alterici of Charleroi and Robert Kepics of Monongahela. The Republican candidates are Donald Cook of West Pike Run Township and Melanie S. Patterson of Washington Township in Fayette County.
Hundt began the debate by asking Alterici what he thought the greatest accomplishments and failures were of state Rep. Peter J. Daley, a Democrat who has held the seat for 33 years and opted to retire rather than seek re-election.
Alterici, a Charleroi businessman, said Daley was “very, very dedicated” to the district, but that no one should stay in state office for more than three decades.
“I’m for terms of term limits,” said Alterici, adding he would, if elected, serve no more than four terms in office.
Hundt asked the same question to Patterson, owner of a rental house in North Belle Vernon.
“We definitely need to shrink the size of state government,” Patterson said. “I think (Daley) was very good early on. I’m looking forward to new leadership, fresh air.”
Next Hundt turned to Benyak, a Charleroi attorney, and asked him about his views on Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to sign an executive order barring state agencies from discriminating against sexual orientation and gender identity.
Benyak said he supported the move, saying it’s “a shining moment” for Wolf.
“I’m not a hater,” Benyak said.
Cook was asked the same question. He said he always supports anti-discrimination measures.
“I don’t like executive orders,” said Cook, an internet marketing coach.
Kepics, the mayor of Monongahela, was asked his views on regionalizing municipal services to save taxpayer money.
He said his city already “combined services with the police department” and that the local fire departments have mutual aid agreements. He said it also makes sense for street departments to share equipment.
Henderson was asked the same question, and he replied that regionalization has been his “life’s work” while he worked for local governments and an intergovernmental committee to urge sharing services.
“I wouldn’t mandate it, but have it out there for municipalities to consider,” Henderson said.
Barli was asked his views of a plan of Gov. Wolf and former Pennsylvania governors to switch from electing to appointing judges on the state’s high courts.
“No. I wouldn’t,” Barli said. “The voters get discouraged.”
Up next, Garay was asked if the state aid to college students needs to be restored to the level they receives in 1980.
“The students here are hurting,” said Garay, who is pursuing a master’s degree at California University of Pennsylvania.
“We need to get back to investing in our future,” Garay said, adding that he would find the money by reducing the expenses of state lawmakers.
The chamber estimated that more than 250 people turned out for the debate in a district that includes Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, Carroll, Charleroi, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Ellsworth, Fallowfield, Long Branch, Marianna, Monongahela, New Eagle, North Bethlehem, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight, West Bethlehem, West Brownsville and West Pike Run in Washington County; and Belle Vernon, Franklin, Jefferson, Newell and Washington Township in Fayette County.
“It’s very civil; that’s what everyone is saying,” said Dorothea Pemberton, the chamber’s director.