Two Democrats vie for Franklin County Commissioners seats

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Voters in Franklin County, Pa., will select county commissioners in this year’s election cycle.

The primary election is May 17, in which Republicans and Democrats can vote for members of their own parties. The municipal election is Nov. 8.

Democratic voters can choose two candidates to advance to November’s ballots. Only two men, Bob Ziobrowski and Garry Gontz, are running in the primary.

The Herald-Mail asked the Democratic candidates to answer several questions. Their responses are below and have been edited for length and style.

Answers from the GOP candidates were published in Monday’s Herald-Mail and are available at www.herald-mail.com.



Garry Gontz

Age: 57

Address: 145 Summer Breeze Lane, Chambersburg, Pa.

Incumbent: No

 

What in your background prepares you for this position?

I feel I bring a wealth of experience to the job. After spending nearly 29 years in production and management positions at Letterkenny Army Depot, I was tapped by the Department of Defense to be base transition coordinator to assist with the realignment of Letterkenny in 1995. My job was to facilitate and mediate the often- differing positions of the Army and the local reuse committee. My success as ombudsman led to me to being selected to work for the Pentagon, coordinating DOD assistance, project management and grants at BRAC sites across the country. In that role, I interacted with scores of municipal and county governments, managed budgets and gained experience that will prove to be valuable as a county commissioner. I’ve been learning about government from the inside for my entire career, but because of the Hatch Act, I was previously prohibited from using that experience as an elected official. Now that I have retired, I am able to contribute more to the community.

 

What do you perceive as the biggest issues for the commissioners?

I believe the biggest issues are being able to serve the needs of the county while maintaining a reasonable tax rate. I would work to support quality-of-life programs and carefully manage growth.

 

What should be done to address courthouse needs?

I support the commissioners’ plan to remodel the existing courthouse, and as commissioner, I would be prepared to address future needs as they arise.

 

What are your views of Franklin County’s spending policies?

As commissioner, I would review the county’s budget and look for potential savings. I believe that I would bring a new perspective to this position.

 



Bob Ziobrowski

Age: 60

Address: 1707 Alexander Ave., Chambersburg, Pa.

Incumbent: Yes

 

What in your background prepares you for this position?

As an incumbent, I have more than three years experiences in office. Prior to being elected commissioner, I served as president of the Chambersburg Area School District Board of Directors, chairman of the Chambersburg Hospital Board of Directors, and as a member of the Borough of Chambersburg Planning and Zoning Board. I have a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Wilson College, and I have worked as a real estate appraiser throughout Franklin County and adjacent counties for 25 years, with the exception of 2 1/2 years when I was vice president of the Franklin County Area Development Corp. and subsequently contracting officer and property manager for the Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority.

 

What do you perceive as the biggest issues for the commissioners?

My answer is the same as in 2007: property taxes. As a former school board member, and now as commissioner, I understand and feel the impact of property taxes on homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes. Balancing the needs of those unable to help themselves with the capacity of the taxpayers to pay property tax is always the biggest issue for the commissioners.

 

What should be done to address courthouse needs?

With the real estate the county has purchased, and the plans announced for remodeling to create more courtroom space, the immediate needs of the courthouse have been met.

 

What are your views of Franklin County’s spending policies?

Franklin County has the 12th-lowest property tax rate of the 67 Pennsylvania counties. When necessary, we have cut departments, furloughed employees and cut employees hours. We enacted an energy policy that resulted in six-figure savings. We have refinanced bonds, consolidated purchasing and postponed purchases. These spending policies resulted in a savings of almost $2 million in 2010 — enough to pay for the courthouse project. I would characterize Franklin County’s spending policies as fiscally conservative.