Three incumbent West Deer supervisors and two former supervisors are among eight candidates vying for four seats in the upcoming election.
Campaigning to remain in office are Republicans Larry McManus and Gerry Vaerewyck and Democrat Richard DiSanti Jr. Former supervisors looking to return are Republican Shirley Hollibaugh and Democrat Don Simonetti.
Rounding out the field are Democrats Jeff Florentine and Mike Zourelias, and Republican Joyce Romig.
Incumbent Supervisor Tracy Adamik, a Democrat, is unable to run for re-election after serving two consecutive four-year terms. The township's home rule charter requires he sit out two years.
Florentine and Romig did not respond to requests for comment.
Improving the township's roads and drainage systems is a priority for DiSanti, a chiropractor and current vice chairman.
“Most of the concerns we have over the course of a year are issues that have to deal with runoff and road issues,” he said, adding that the township's creeks, valleys and hills give rise to those maintenance issues.
“I think we have good personnel and good directors of public works, public safety, managers, financial officers. I'll continue to support those people to keep things moving in a positive way for West Deer,” DiSanti said.
Hollibaugh, a former two-term supervisor and lifelong West Deer resident, said she always intended to seek office after sitting out the required two years.
“We have a good community,” she said. “The only problem we have in West Deer is we need some good access roads. The local roads in West Deer are excellent. We need good roads coming into the township so we can get more commercial and industrial development into the township.”
Hollibaugh said she's running alone again, as she did in the primary.
“I have my own views and my own ideas,” she said. “I don't always agree with everyone.”
McManus, a plumber seeking his second term, said the township should maintain the facilities it has rather than build new ones.
“I don't think a new (township) building is needed — not until we can afford to pay for it,” he said. “Taxes would have to be increased to build a new building. There's no way to do it with the current budget.”
Public business being discussed in private is still a concern, McManus said of the unease he shares with Vaerewyck.
“We try to make sure everything that is supposed to be out in the public is done in the public and not in the back room,” he said. “We'd like to make sure that it stays what way.”
Simonetti was a police officer in West Deer for 20 years before becoming chief. He held the position for six years before retiring in 1993, when he became a supervisor for one term.
“I don't have to tell people who I am or what I can do. The people know who I am,” he said. “These politicians tell the people what they want to hear and don't produce. I don't promise anything that I can't produce.”
Simonetti didn't want to discuss issues before getting in office but said public safety is his “biggest thing.”
“My record speaks for itself. I have done nothing but good for the citizens of this township,” he said. “What I can offer is honesty and integrity.”
Vaerewyck, an engineer seeking his second term, said West Deer residents can't afford new township municipal or maintenance buildings. He said they started to fall apart because they had not been maintained for many years.
“Had that been kept up, a lot of the damage wouldn't have occurred,” he said, adding that approach applies to many things. “Over the long term, a few thousand dollars a year saves a $100,000 replacement.”
Vaerewyck said the township needs to continue working with the emergency medical service to ensure its continued survival. The township helped with some of its capital needs, such as paving its parking lot, so the EMS team can focus on operations.
“We've been working with them to make sure they spend their money carefully,” he said.
Zourelias, an accountant for the Deer Lakes School District, is seeking elected office for the first time.
West Deer “is a good place to raise your family. Everybody knows everybody. It's very safe and secure,” he said.
From an outsider's perspective, Zourelias said officials have done a “great job” with the townships roads, parks and police, and that he wants to continue that.
“I'm honest, and I'm involved in the community. I already have a working relationship with all the people in the township,” he said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4701 or brittmeyer@tribweb.com.
