Letters to the Editor

BAUGHMAN

FOR BEDFORD

COMMISSIONER

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Deb Baughman for Bedford County Commissioner. One of Deb’s top priorities is making cell and high-speed internet service a reality in all rural Bedford County. There are many reasons to do this, but Deb understands why it’s so important to those with health issues.

Last year, my husband had a massive heart attack. When he was sent home he had to wear a “life vest, which is an external defibrillator. If this defibrillator went off he had to either call 911, which we did and cost almost $1,000 for an ambulance ride to the hospital, or send data in to see what was going on with his heart. Because we have no cell service in our area we had to drive 12 to 15 miles to send this data in and find out if there was a problem with his heart or if it was the life vest malfunctioning. Sometimes this vest would go off multiple times a day! It was annoying to have to run that far, but most of all it can be life threatening.

I don’t think anyone realizes just how important cell service is these days. Just this month he had to wear a heart monitor for 14 days. Here again we had to run almost daily to send his data.

Please vote for Deb Baughman on May 21. Bedford County needs commissioners who will see to it that we get the same services that people in towns and cities have. Sometimes these service can save a life.

Linda Claycomb

New Enterprise

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To the Editor:

There is a new face in the race for Bedford County commissioner this election, and for me, as a mother with young children living in this county, I hope she succeeds. Deb Baughman is exactly the type of person that Bedford County needs.

As many have noticed, fewer and fewer of Bedford County’s younger residents are remaining in our region to make their lives here. They feel as if other parts of the country have more to offer. Deb is working to change that.

Deb Baughman is a retired teacher who genuinely cares about helping people. This is why she has my vote. She cares enough to work for family-sustaining wages in Bedford County. She cares enough to expand drug and alcohol services, something our county desperately needs. And she cares enough to provide support for our local family farms,which for a long time have really been the heart of Bedford County.

I’ve known Deb for over two years, and I’ve been constantly impressed with how she interacts with people. She makes “their” problems “her” problems. She listens intensely and respectfully – and that’s why she will make a wonderful commissioner.

She promises to make Bedford County “strong,” and I really believe her. In fact, I need to believe her because I worry about the futures of my two, 4- and 6-year-old children. I would love for my children to live in our region when they are adults and continue and develop our current hobby of raising sheep, goats and pigs. But I can’t expect them to stay when other areas have better opportunities.

Bedford County needs a change. It needs someone who will not only make our county strong but also relevant and appealing to future residents -- like my own children and those of many other people who realize this is a wonderful place to raise kids.

Deb will do her best to make sure our children, if they so desire, can stay here. She has my vote – for me and my family.

Alicia Lang

New Paris

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BRUCE ERB

for BLAIR

COMMISSIONER

To the Editor:

I have known Commissioner Bruce Erb for decades. I have personally seen his professional demeanor and attention to detail, while employed as a financial manager for over 30 years. He has carried this professionalism and his strong conservative values to the office of Blair County Commissioner.

In a society where Pennsylvania counties are inundated with unfunded mandates and increased service expectations, we need a commissioner like Bruce Erb to bring fiscal responsibility to the table. In addition, county government is becoming more complex in Pennsylvania. Bruce Erb has worked hard to climb a very steep learning curve to manage this complexity very quickly.

Blair County is lucky to have a commissioner as qualified as Bruce Erb.

Marty Malone

Hollidaysburg

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To the Editor:

I have known Bruce Erb since grade school. He was born and raised in Hollidaysburg. He is devoted to his family, church and Blair County. Bruce has more than 40 years of experience in finance. Bruce is honest, kind, hard-working and an understanding person.

In his first term as county commissioner, he took an in-depth look and review of the under-funded county pension plan and turned it around and saved money. Also, he pinched pennies for Blair County. He has worked very closely with different social agencies including Blair County Children Youth & Families. Also, the Blair Drug Alcohol Partnership has helped with special needs of the homeless and special need individuals.

Please keep Bruce Erb working for the county. Vote Bruce Erb in for his second term as county commissioner.

Nita Sanders

Altoona

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To the Editor:

For numerous years, satisfactory assistance for those suffering from mental illness within our prison was lacking. Commissioner Bruce Erb convened a committee, hired a forensic case manager and focused on the national “Stepping Up Initiative” to reduce the number of people within jails suffering from mental illness while making the safety of our community the utmost importance.

Commissioner Erb recognizes that without change, people with mental illnesses continue to cycle through the criminal justice system, often resulting in disastrous consequences and failure to improve public safety.

Commissioner Erb is an honest hardworking individual and I encourage others to support his efforts.

Charmayne Raia

Altoona

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To the Editor:

I had the pleasure of being Bruce Erb’s supervisor for many years at Hollidaysburg Trust Co. Bruce always exhibited the attributes of honesty, integrity, and compassion with all of the individuals he encountered.

Bruce is a team player. He approaches issues thoughtfully, analytically, and for the common good. Bruce has always been admired as a wonderful husband and father to his children.

Vote Bruce Erb for Blair County Commissioner.

Vincent Turiano

Hollidaysburg

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To the Editor:

Four years ago, voters in Blair County made the right decision when they elected Bruce Erb county commissioner. We have begun to reap the benefits of having an ethical, hard-working commissioner with financial management experience to serve us. The difficult, but necessary, reassessment process is past us. Much-needed courthouse renovations are nearly completed. The county is headed toward a better financial future, but there is still much to be done.

We must continue to move the county in the right direction. We need strong leadership from citizens that care about our county but possess the skills to make the difficult decisions that lie ahead. We need Bruce Erb as our county commissioner.

I urge you to remember Bruce’s fine service to us these past four years and re-elect Bruce Erb, Blair County Commissioner.

Michael P. Routch

Duncansville

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To the Editor:

I have known Bruce Erb personally, and worked with him, for many years while serving two local legislators for decades. Bruce’s experience, integrity and expertise in financial management are assets we need to keep.

Bruce has a firm grip on the nuts and bolts of county governance. His robust knowledge of fiscal policy is desperately needed as many important decisions will be made including home rule, private-public partnerships and prison budget issues. These decisions will heavily impact all citizens of Blair County. Someone as capable as Bruce Erb is vital to keeping our best interests in mind regarding the ramifications these decisions will have on our future.

I am strongly urging your support for Bruce Erb for re-election as a Blair County commissioner.

Sue A. Sidney

Altoona

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To the Editor:

I understand the distress of taxpayers over reassessment and tax increases. The company that did the reassessment was chosen before current Blair County Commissioner Bruce Erb was in office. He is serving Blair County with a reassessment that was long overdue, but had no input into the company selected.

The future financial status of our county is the reason we need to retain Bruce Erb for four more years. He is an experienced financial manager, unlike previous commissioners. He is saving the county over $1.2 million dollars in expense control. He has tackled the underfunded pension and controlled the expense of healthcare benefits of the employees. He understands the mandated expenses and the scope of control of county government. Without his expertise and management of spending, we may just be watching our tax rates grow.

Please join me in voting for Bruce Erb. Thank you.

Christina W. Robinson

Altoona

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To the Editor:

I am writing to support Bruce Erb for Blair County commissioner. I have known Bruce both personally and professionally for more than 30 years. Bruce’s background as a professional banker gives him the financial acumen necessary to deal with the fiscal issues facing Blair County and his record over the last four years clearly demonstrates an ability to address those issues head on.

Bruce is a family man who has always been actively involved in our community and although there are numerous qualifications that I could list as to why he should be reelected Blair County Commissioner, I believe that the most important factors are his integrity and moral character which are beyond reproach and to which I can personally attest.

On Election Day, I encourage everyone to get out and exercise their right to vote and, more importantly, I urge each and every one of you to cast a ballot in favor of the reelection of Bruce Erb for Blair County commissioner.

James R. Huff II, Esquire

Altoona

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Support ‘The Two Bruces’ for

Commissioner

To the Editor:

I’m supporting “The Two Bruces” for Blair County Commissioner on May 21. I’ve known both Erb and Kelley and I’ve had the chance to work with both of them. Bruce Erb is a man of integrity and his roots trace back to Williamsburg. I'm confident that Bruce Erb will continue to work hard for the residents of Blair County, much like he has done during his first four years.

Bruce Kelley will make a fine Blair County commissioner. He's spent a lot of time in Williamsburg throughout his campaign and his experience in local government would be of benefit to Blair County and the many challenges we face. Bruce Kelley knows how to get things done and accomplished for his constituents.

Please join me in voting for Bruce Erb and Bruce Kelley on May 21.

Harry Mullins

Williamsburg

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Amy Webster for

COMMISSIONER

To the Editor:

Amy Webster is first of all, a mother with strong Christian values. She is not a politician, but an experienced business owner, attorney, real estate broker, and taxpayer advocate who cares about protecting taxpayers and property values.

She is hard working, caring, and generous with her time. She has been representing people who are appealing unfair reassessments, many pro-bono. Her experience and knowledge are what Blair County needs in a county commissioner.

Steven Gilbert

Altoona

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Elect Anita Terchanik

To the Editor:

I am pleased to endorse Anita Terchanik for the office of Recorder of Deeds and Register of Wills in Blair County. Anita’s experience as a title abstractor has made her familiar with this office. She understands the importance of keeping accurate and timely records and the need of these records to be accessible when needed. Her friendly nature will be an added bonus when dealing with the public.

Anita is well liked and respected in the community. She has been a reliable volunteer with her church and her children's schools. I am proud to support someone that shares my values and has a strong work ethic.

Cindy L. Dick

Roaring Spring

ELECTION LETTER

NOTICE

Letters to the editor regarding candidates appearing on the May 21 Primary Election ballot are due in the Herald office by 5 p.m. Monday, May 6. All support letters will be published in the May 2 and 9 editions.

Candidate responses must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, May 13, and will be published in the May 16 edition of the Herald.

Questions? Please call (814) 793-2144.