Pa. Senate candidates say their backgrounds will be deciding factor in election

March 28, 2008|By JENNIFER FITCH

SCOTLAND, Pa. -- The three candidates who spoke Thursday at a Citizens for Responsible Government forum remarked several times that they agree on many issues, but each presented his or her background as a deciding factor for voters.

Those voters in the Pennsylvania state Senate's 33rd District have a contested race for the first time in many years. The contest, however, comes only for Republicans this primary election as no Democrats have filed for the seat being vacated by retiring state Sen. Terry Punt.

Catherine Cresswell, Robert "Bob" Curley and Jim Taylor spoke for two hours at Mount Pleasant United Brethren Church on Pa. 997 in a laid-back, jovial atmosphere.

The trio addressed issues including illegal immigration, slots parlors and state pension funds. They also were able to identify what they personally feel are the major improvements needed in Pennsylvania's government.

"I think the most critical reform we need are term limits," said Taylor, of Mercersburg, Pa.

Taylor, chairman of the Franklin County (Pa.) Republican Committee, suggested that members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives be limited to four two-year terms and state senators to two four-year terms. He also said the size of the legislature could be cut by 35 percent.

"A 35 percent cut saves billions of dollars and a lot of hot air," Taylor said.

Cresswell, of Buchanan Valley, Pa., agreed that term limits are at the top of her list. She shared her own observations of political life from her position as executive director of the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee.

"I think there needs to be some staggering of terms because you have this whole thing of 'Let's work one year and politic the next,'" she said, referring specifically to members of the House and their two-year terms.

Curley, of Waynesboro, Pa., focused much of his attention on fellow candidate Richard Alloway II, who did not attend the forum.

Curley held up a list of Alloway's campaign committee members and told attendees to press Franklin County Sheriff Dane Anthony and Franklin County District Attorney Jack Nelson about what they're doing for illegal immigration. Anthony is the campaign chairman, and Nelson also is a committee member.

"You guys are active by being here. Most people aren't, but you have to spread the word," said Curley, who owns several restaurants in the county.

The Pennsylvania primary is April 22.

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