Event offers Butler County commissioner hopefuls chance to share ideas

The 14 candidates for Butler County commissioner touched on a wide range of issues during a “meet the candidate” night Wednesday in Cranberry, ranging from economic development to civility in government and the future of the county's 10 senior centers.

All three seats on the board are up for election in the May 19 primary, and only Democrat Jim Eckstein is running for re-election. Voters will select two Republicans and two Democrats this month, and three in November.

Here are portions of each candidate's presentation:

Republicans

• James Butler, 55, of Prospect, said that there is little room for tax increases, and that there's no money for a reassessment.

“The government wants more, the agencies want their share and you the taxpayer want to keep enough to live, with a little left over to enjoy life,” Butler said.

“Our No. 1 issue is money, it's what everyone is talking about,” Butler said.

• Kim Geyer, 52, of Adams said a new board will have to carefully examine the 2016 budget, and look at the fund balance, which is about $7.1 million.

“It would allow a conversation about building up the fund balance and doing so without tax increases. That would require less spending,” Geyer said.

• Jim Keffalas, 60, of Butler Township said that county tax revenues have increased 63 percent over the last 10 years, and the millage rate has gone up 34 percent in the same period, while residents' salaries have not kept pace.

“They just don't understand it. They're getting squeezed,” Keffalas said.

• Mark Lux, 54, of Clay said the county has mishandled the issue of senior centers, consolidation or cutting hours at some centers are possible.

“I believe the seniors deserve an apology from the current administration, of which we know they will never get. But I will sit here and apologize to the seniors for the way they have been treated, because I think it's a disgrace,” Lux said.

• Lisa Metcalfe, 28, of Cranberry said she would never vote for a tax increase.

“The government's duty is to protect the people, not to run their lives,” said Metcalfe, quoting former President Ronald Regan.

• Bob O'Neill, 42, of Cranberry said that as he campaigns, many people are expressing concern about drugs and high taxes.

“Private industry is the way to go,” O'Neill said of economic development. “...(When) we can move private industry to the forefront and government out of the way, that's what I'm going to do.”

• Leslie Osche, 51, of Butler Township said she'd carefully examine the county budget in the first 180 days to see where changes could be made.

“We can't spend more than we take in, we have to limit the debt, and we have to plan for the future,” Osche said.

• Jeff Smith, 60, of Butler said the county needs to focus on economic development in the northern and central portions of the county, where growth has lagged.

“I'm talking about the need for the county to work together,” Smith said.

• Larry Thompson, 61, of Oakland Township said he supports coming up with a plan to guide future development in the county. He also addressed sniping among commissioners.

“The first thing we have to do is restore order at the county commissioner level in Butler County government,” Thompson said. “The people deserve this.”

• Justin Trainor, 32, of Penn said the county needs to deal with a drug problem, but also hailed business development and wants to build on it.

“We need to continue this pattern, and look for more opportunities for business to find a home in Butler County,” Trainor said.

Democrats

• Kevin Boozel, 43, of Mercer Township said many rural areas depend on senior centers, and private nonprofit sources could help with their operation.

“I can tell you, every dollar you cut, if you're not careful how you cut it, it will cost you $10,” Boozel said.

• Eckstein, 58, of Butler Township said he's been a fiscal conservative during his first four-year term, opposing the sale of the county nursing home and construction of a human services office building.

“The electorate didn't buy a pig-in-a-poke when they got me,” Eckstein said.

• Dave Johnston, 59, of Saxonburg, said the county needs more development such as existing business parks, citing the Victory Road business park in Clinton.

“We need to replicate that. We don't have any ready-to-go building sites like that, and as a result, I think we're losing our competitive edge,” Johnston said.

• Jerry Johnston, 65, said he believes the county debt can be eliminated in 10 years.

“We need to be more involved in downtown Butler's revitalization. It is our county seat, and it does deserve our attention,” Johnston said.

Bill Vidonic is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5621 or bvidonic@tribweb.com.