WAYNESBORO – With the Municipal Primary Election quickly approaching, Franklin County candidates took advantage of an opportunity to interact and connect with voters Tuesday night.
A Public Town Hall Q&A Session of the upcoming May Primary Election Candidates was held on Tuesday, May 2, at the Waynesboro Country Club, to provide the public a chance to ask questions and express concerns of their candidates. Candidates running for School Board Director, Waynesboro Town Council, Washington Township Supervisor and Magisterial Judge were invited and 12 of the 17 candidates turned out.
In attendance were Michael Cermak Sr., Bryan Chappell Jr., Lloyd Hamburger, Karen Herald, Clint Pentz, Sarah Provard, Chad Rooney, Margie Schaeffer, Annie Gomez-Shockey, Ted Snowberger III, Charles Strausbaugh and Linda Zimmerman.
All candidates were given two minutes to present an introduction speech, which was followed by a facilitated Q&A session. During the Q&A session, candidates were asked questions specific to the office in which they are running.
During his introduction, Cermak, who is seeking re-election to Borough Council, acknowledged that he was very pleased with the turnout for the event. “People care nowadays,” he said.
Cermak has served on council for 11 years. His opponent, Sarah Provard, stressed her views on public policy.
“If elected, I will focus on creating opportunities for all generations to thrive in our community,” she said.
Strausbaugh, a current Washington Township Supervisor running for re-election, shared with the audience that he is pleased with what they’ve done at the township during his current term.
“What it means to be a Township Supervisor is giving the people that elect you everything that we can,” Strausbaugh said.
The candidates running for Waynesboro Area School Board were faced with a variety of questions, including curriculum requirements, budgeting, and board policy.
Current school board member Zimmerman expressed her passion for helping kids, and that her main goal is to “represent all residents in the district, but most importantly the children.”
When asked about their views of not allowing taxpayers without active students in the district access to the current curriculum, all candidates in attendance were in agreement that anyone who requests to view the district’s curriculum should have access to it.
Board candidate Pentz said he would like to overall increase transparency within the district. Pentz also addressed the concern that there are a lot of fundamental concepts missing from the current curriculum. He said he believes we can address this issue by exploring new curriculum, but also utilizing existing resources within the district to provide the needed material to students.
During public comment, members of the audience expressed concerns about environmental issues, zoning and land use, public safety, school board policy, and economic development.
An audience member directed a question to Washington Township Supervisor candidate Ted Snowberger, the owner of Snowberger’s Custom Homes in Waynesboro.
“Why would we elect a developer as a township supervisor?” she asked. Raising concerns of a conflict of interest.
“I am 100% dedicated and committed to Washington Township,” stated Snowberger. If elected, Snowberger said he would prioritize the needs of the community, and “always work in the best interest of the township.”
Another audience member voiced extreme concern directly to the school board candidates about satanic clubs being permitted in the schools. The audience member referenced a recent ruling made by a Pennsylvania Judge, which forced a school district to allow students to convene an afterschool satanic club.
Current School Board member Karen Herald addressed the concern by stating that she does not agree with the concept, and the district would strive to keep students safe at school and do everything the board can to keep them students away from anything that would harm them.
The Pennsylvania Primary Municipal Election will take place on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. For more voter and election information, Franklin County Residents can visit franklincountypa.gov or contact the Franklin County Voter Registration Office at 717-216-3886 or the Franklin County Election Board at 717-261-3810.
