Alloway says prior commitments kept him from attending Scotland forum

March 28, 2008|By JENNIFER FITCH

SCOTLAND, Pa. - Saying his decision was based on "majority rule," the president of Citizens for Responsible Government opted not to present the responses of Pennsylvania state Senate candidate Richard Alloway II at Thursday's candidates forum.

Alloway had sent a message to Allen Piper, president of the taxpayers group, to say that he had other commitments and would be unable to attend. He provided answers for the four predetermined questions and shared a copy of those responses with The Herald-Mail prior to the forum.

After Piper read Alloway's biography, he was interrupted by candidate Robert "Bob" Curley, who said he had a problem with the presentation. Curley argued that Alloway should be excluded for not attending, and his comments were supported by candidates Catherine Cresswell and Jim Taylor.

"Clearly, this is not a home crowd for (Alloway) because there are a lot of Jim Taylor supporters," Curley said.

"He considers himself as running as an incumbent, and incumbents don't debate," Cresswell said.

Piper took comments from the crowd of 50 people and eventually called for a vote. Six people raised their hands in support of hearing Alloway's answers, while about 20 others indicated they were against the idea.

"I want the majority to rule. ... As far as I'm concerned, Rich Alloway did not show. He was reluctant to correspond with me on several occasions," Piper said, calling the prompts "eighth-grade questions."

The questions were:

· Why are you the best candidate where best is defined as providing the most cost-effective government for all residents?

· What is wrong with the current state pension system and how should it be fixed/improved?

· What is your position on illegal immigration and what do you plan to do about it at the state level if elected?

· What are the major improvements needed in Pennsylvania government and how can they be implemented?

Alloway, in his prepared responses, said that he knows the people and their concerns, in part garnered by his experience as a magisterial district judge. He touted the formation of an oversight committee for the state pension system, and said he "put numerous illegals behind bars" as a judge.

"What I offer is an average person's perspective, good common sense, knowledge of the law and the determined ability to get things done and make life better for every person in this district, which has always been called home," Alloway said in an e-mail.

When contacted on his cell phone after the forum, Alloway, a Republican candidate from Chambersburg, said he had two other obligations in Adams County, Pa., which, along with part of York County, is encompassed by the 33rd District. He said he hasn't forgotten state officials pulling out of events that were scheduled when Alloway was working as a legislative aide.

"I remember how we all felt that it was unfair and left a sour taste in your mouth. ... I wasn't going to do that to them," Alloway said.

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