 West York council electionSTAFF REPORT -- The York Dispatch Updated: 10/30/2009 09:20:45 AM EDT
West York borough voters have plenty of choices in the Nov. 3 election, with seven candidates seeking four four-year council seats; two candidates seeking a two-year council seat; and two candidates seeking the mayor's seat. In the race for four-year council seats, three incumbents are seeking re-election -- Democrats Dawn Shue and Brian Wilson and Republican Shelley Metzler. A fourth incumbent, Jim Hunter, was defeated in the primary. Other candidates for the four-year seats include Democrat Donald Knaub and Republicans Michael Druck, Nicholas Laughman and Shane Louthian. The two candidates seeking the two year seat are Democrat Scott Green and Republican Steven Herman. The York Dispatch asked the candidates a series of questions. Their responses appear below.
Candidate bios:
Four year term:
Michael Druck (R)
No response
Donald Knaub (D)
Age / Address: 46, of West Market
Family: divorced, three gown children
Occupation: flower delivery driver
Current community involvement: Fire Lieutenant for West York Fire Dept.
Nicholas Laughman (R)
No response
Shane Louthian (R)
Age / Address: 40, of Monroe St.
Family: Married, 4 children
Occupation: Business consultant
Current community involvement: Treasurer and campaign manager for Robert Allan Mansfield, who is running for governor in 2010
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Shelley Metzler (R)
No response
Dawn Shue (D)
Age / Address: 36, of West King Street
Family: Married, two kids
Occupation: West York High School noon aide and yoga instructor for WellSpan Center for Mind/Body Health
Current community involvement: West York Animal Rescue Program street team, Block Watch, Lincolnway PPO, and current councilwoman
Brian T. Wilson (D)
Age / Address: 40, of West Princess Street
Family: Married, four children (2 attend schools in the district)
Occupation: APG Supervisor for Comcast
Current community involvement: Associate member of the West York Fire Company, Neighborhood block watch program, Little League baseball umpire.
Two year term:
Scott Green (D)
Age/Address: 52, of 1019 W. Mkt. St., York, PA 17404
Family: 25+yrs. with my partner: James Poteete, we have a dog and 2 cats
Occupation: Fformer human service provider/now disabled
Current community involvement: honorary member Pres. Obama's kitchen cabinet recognized by Southern Poverty Law Ctr. for efforts to promote tolerance.
Steven Herman (R)
No response
Questions:
1. Specify a major issue you believe West York Borough faces and explain how you would address that issue.
Druck: No response.
Knaub: We're looking on moving forward, improving emergency services.
Laughman: No response.
Louthian: The biggest change would be to invite in and retain businesses in order to create jobs. It would also help lower taxes for residents.
Metzler: No response.
Shue: Reinvestment in the community through revitalization of buildings to reduce blight, to bring more businesses, more homes and increase our tax base.
Wilson: The loss of business here in the borough is a major issue. We need to work to make West York a viable community for any business to want to move here. With the lost of these business this puts a strain on the borough's tax base and affects every resident here in the borough. We have a lot of brown buildings here in the borough and it is our job as council members to go out and spread the word about West York and all the great opportunities that we offer here.
Green (2 years): I would insist that landlords take proper care of rental properties by keeping lawns cut and free of trash in front and back of properties.
Herman (2 years): No response.
2. At 4.9 mills, West York's property tax rate is the highest among York County's 37 boroughs. Are taxpayers getting their money's worth from borough government? Why or why not? Are there avenues the borough should explore to save money or control costs? What are they?
Druck: No response.
Knaub: Definitely, yes they are getting their money's worth. I think we want to hold the line on taxes. In this day in age no one can afford anymore taxes.
Laughman: No response.
Louthian: No, not at all. You have to cut where cuts are needed, save where you can, and prepare for the future. You have to procure budget lines. For example, the emergency sewer fund has not been replenished.
Metzler: No response.
Shue: Yes, I do believe they are. We could give (residents) more through the use of federal grants to improve the police and fire departments.
I think costs can be cut by evaluating each department (budget) line by line and seeing if there is anyway we can cut back to hold the line on taxes.
Wilson: Yes, I believe that our residents are getting their money's worth from the borough. Public safety is the biggest concern and I am proud to say we were able to hire more police and firefighters without raising taxes. We were able to also revise some of the old laws and update them to fit in with today's society. Working hand-in-hand with the police and firefighters of West York Borough, and along with council members, will only assure the residents that the highest quality of protection and work will be given back. To control costs, we were able to get projects done by being proactive. By putting new stop signs up in the borough and recycling the old stop signs in the alleys, we have taken care of work that would have needed to be done in the near future.
Green (2 years): I feel most taxpayers are happy with boro services. There is always a way to save money. I would go over budget line by line to cut out waste. it is also important to explore opportunities to secure federal grant money.
Herman (2 years): No response.
3. Explain a goal you would set for yourself if elected to West York council in November. Explain why that is important to borough residents and how you would try to accomplish it.
Druck: No response.
Knaub: Not that I know of right now.
Laughman: No response.
Louthian: There's plenty of them. The biggest is parking. Folks need a place to put their car. The borough has not done anything to address that. There are options out there-there's plenty of alleys which can be utilized for parking. There are also some places in the borough that can be made into parking lots.
Metzler: No response.
Shue: Crime is a big one. We need to continue to work with our police department, to work with neighboring police departments and municipalities, to expand our resources.
Wilson: The first goal is I believe that we need to bring common sense back to the council table and work to make sure the people have a true voice at the table. My other goal is to empower the community to help make decisions that can and will affect their every day lives here in the borough of West York.
Green (2 years): I want to see more after-school recreational opportunities for our children.
Herman (2 years): No response.
4. West York relies on its own police department for police coverage. How do you feel about the quality and quantity of the police protection the borough receives? Are changes needed? Should the borough explore consolidation with other nearby police departments? Why or why not?
Druck: No response.
Knaub: I think we have adequate police protection at this time.
Laughman: No response.
Louthian: I am satisfied with it. I am worried that they will force us into a metro department. While (police protection) is a big expense, we are better served by our own. Centralizing the police force is not a good idea—it would take police from our borough.
Metzler: No response.
Shue: I am satisfied. Of course there is always room for improvement. They are trying but (the police) are limited, so I would like to see more police officers on staff.
Wilson: I believe we have the best police department in York County and they do a superb job. We must provide the proper training and proper tools for the police department at all times, so they are able to stay on top of the criminal element that has erupted in today's society.
I believe consolidation of police departments is not an option for the near future. When this happens, you lose the personal touch you have with having your own police department and the protection that goes along with it. Although West York is already involved in working with York Counts, I do believe that cooperation with other municipalities is the safest and most reliable way to help maintain safety for our residents.
Green (2 years): I would encourage our dept. to walk thru our neighborhoods to speak to and become familiar with them and their concerns. I feel safe enuff on our streets to walk my dog after dark: a result of police vigilance.
Herman (2 years): No response.
5. Why did you decide to run for election this year and why should voters support you in your quest for the seat you are seeking? What unique qualifications do you offer voters?
Druck: No response.
Knaub: I was asked because of my knowledge of the emergency services and how it operates.
Laughman: No response.
Louthian: I see things that are broken and I know they need fixed. I know how to fix them, and no one else is stepping up. I feel it's my duty. I was a senior auditor for a fortune 500 company—I know how to balance a budget. The government is there to serve the best interest of the people — I feel that that is not happening and that has to be changed. It's a moral and ethical necessity.
Metzler: No response.
Shue: Because I am a person who stands up for what I believe in. I am always open to new ideas and I want to stand up for people who can't speak for themselves.
I am active in the community. I know West York and I know the people in the community. I am familiar with the problems, as well as the assets, so I think that makes me qualified for this position.
Wilson: Being a resident here in West York Borough, I also feel the pain that the community feels. I am running so that the people have their voice heard at the council table. Although I have already been in office for one year, I feel as though I have more work to do for my community. Caring for the community is what I am all about. I want safe neighborhoods and common sense government brought back into our borough. I want to make sure that each resident feels as though they are empowered by make their point of views heard and seen in their community. I am working hard for the people of West York.
Green (2 years): I have had a lifelong love of politics and felt it was time to kick it up a notch. I bring a unique outlook to local poltics: a combination of fairness, honesty and am willing to question and challenge the status quo.
Herman (2 years): No response.
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