In what might have been a first, every candidate for a contested Carbon County row office gathered in the same room last night and was granted a public forum to present his platform.

Tax Day/Candidates Night was presented by the Lehighton 9/12 Project at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe.It was the second such event. Last October a debate was staged by Lehighton 9/12 at Penn's Peak for individuals seeking state offices.The Tax Day/Candidates Night was a bi-partisan event in which both Democrat and Republican parties participated.Serving as emcee was Kim Bell, general manager of Blue Ridge Communications TV-13.The candidates did not debate each other. Although at one point Republican candidate Gene Duffy took a personal swipe at incumbent Republican Wayne Nothstein, the program was designed merely to have the candidates present their reasons for seeking office.The first candidates to express their views were attorneys Joseph Matika and Jim Lavelle, who are vying for judge in the Court of Common Pleas. Both are cross-filed.Next, the two candidates seeking the office of sheriff presented their views.Then, all nine candidates competing for three openings in the office of Carbon County Commissioner discussed their respective plans for the position if elected.A large American Flag was draped behind the candidates. On the front of the stage were miniature Liberty Bell replicas.Sandy Dellicker, president of the Lehighton 9/12 Project, told the approximately 150 audience members who attended, "The objectives of the Lehighton 9/12 Project are to inform and educate."The program was telecast live on Blue Ridge Communications TV 13. It will be re-broadcast at 7 p.m. today.Jean Andrews of Franklin Township sang the National Anthem and closed the event with the singing of "God Bless America."State Rep. Doyle Heffley, along with his daughters and some of their friends, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.Heffley praised the Lehighton 9/12 Project for hosting last night's event and stated, "It's so important that in these elections...we hear from the candidates."He mentioned some of the recent bills passed by the State House of Representatives, including the "Castle Bill" which allows property owners to defend themselves against intruders without fear of prosecution.He said the House made welfare fraud a felony.The "most important bill" the House passed, said Heffley, was one which ends frivolous lawsuits "that are crippling our medical system."At the conclusion of the program, unopposed candidates for county offices were introduced as well as candidates for municipal and school district seats.The candidates who spoke presented their credentials.Candidates remarked (in order of appearance):JudgeJoseph Matika:He spoke about growing up in Summit Hill in a middle class family. Besides representing private clients, he also is solicitor in several municipalities.He has been practicing law for 22 years in Summit Hill. For the past 17 years, he has been prosecuting criminal cases in Carbon County as a member of the Carbon County District Attorney's office.He stressed one lesson he has learned regarding the criminal system."These defendants have got to give back to the community, " he said, adding that he is a strong advocate of mandating community service for convicted defendants.Jim Lavelle:Lavelle said he also works as an assistant district attorney.He emphasized his work with children who are victims of crime. He said in one case, a 13-year-old girl was a victim. He brought her and her parents into the courtroom in the evening and had her sit in the witness seat so she could get the feel of a courtroom.He said he thought about the case and how it would change the life of the child, her parents, the defendant, and the community.Lavelle said the girl asked who would be sitting to her right, and he replied, "The judge," and mentioned that the judge will hear the case and decide what is best for everybody."That is an awesome responsibility," Lavelle said.Lavelle said he is refusing to accept any campaign contributions, stating, "On day one, I want citizens to know our court is a level playing field."SheriffDwight Nothstein (D)Nothstein is a U.S. Navy veteran and has been a volunteer with the Lehighton Fire Department for 22 years. He has been wearing the badge of sheriff since 1995.An Eagle Scout, he has been involved with the Boy Scout program for 51 years.A philosophy he has is "I believe what has to be done will be done."He said one thing his office stresses is to treat all people "with dignity and respect."Steve Armbruster (R)Armbruster held the position of military police investigator and is a patrolman for Emmaus borough.He was the recipient of a "Police Officer of the Year" award.He said a problem today is that many in law enforcement only see themselves as "enforcer.""If elected, I will fulfill the role of enforcer when needed," he said, adding that he would strongly support a "policy of protecting the civil rights of the citizens."Through this program, he hopes to establish the office of sheriff "as the chief constitutional office."He suggested forming a "posse," which would be a group of volunteers to assure that civil rights are upheld in all aspects, including individuals facing foreclosure of their homes.CommissionerJames Holland (D)Holland said that as a commissioner he would attend meetings of town councils, township supervisors, and school boards to hear local concerns. He also would maintain close communications with representatives in Harrisburg.He said he would look at the Packerton Yards (in Mahoning Township) and explore the possibility of turning it into a public use facility, such as a training grounds for fire companies and ambulance personnel.Holland said he would like to see better use of the Carbon County Airport.He said he would push to keep the county green, advocating alternative energy.He and Frank Ruch are running mates.Tom Gerhard (R)Gerhard is serving his 12th term as a supervisor in Packer Township, and has been chairman for four years."One of the things I am extremely proud of is we are a hands-on township," he said. "We have no full-time employees."His emphasis, he said, is that "it's very important we support our local businesses."Gerhard noted he would promote tourism in Carbon County.He mentioned that raw sewage sludge has been banned from Packer Township, noting, "They are spreading these materials on our farmlands and it is getting into our food chain."He and Wayne Nothstein are running mates.Frank Ruch (D)"Being the voice of the community is our first priority," Ruch said.He said he wants the county government to be "transparent," adding, "We don't want to hide anything."He also advocated turning Packerton Yards into a training grounds for fire companies, stating that at present such facilities are located at Baer Memorial Park where they are outdated and have interference from knee-hi football and other sporting events.Like Holland, he emphasized making Carbon County "a green county."He and James Holland are running mates.Wayne Nothstein (R-Incumbent)Nothstein is entering his 12th year as a commissioner.He said the last time he ran for office his platform was "to eliminate the occupation tax.""The occupation tax is gone," he said. It will never come back as long as I am a commissioner. It is an unfair tax."He said he is already working on establishing a training facility somewhere in Carbon County for emergency service personnel.The candidate stressed that one of his goals is to develop a better working relationship with businesses in the county.He and Tom Gerhard are running mates.William O'Gurek (D-Incumbent)O'Gurek is completing his eighth year as a county commissioner. Before this, he served as county prothonotary for 10 years. He was also the Summit Hill mayor for 10 years.He said a philosophy he has is, "The good you are doing today may be forgotten tomorrow. But do good any way."The biggest challenge confronting all candidates is a budget deficit."It's a challenge that awaits us and it's a huge challenge," he said. "That's why it is important we elect good leaders; people who understand they're there not to reign, but to serve."Since serving as a commissioner, he said the county property taxes have not been increased and occupational taxes have been removed. Removing the occupational tax meant "a $6.3 million give-back to the working people of this county," he said."Under our watch we have given you fiscal responsibility and preparedness for the future," he added.He continued, "We continue to work hard for the development of Packerton Yards to create jobs." He said the project "is moving along at no cost to the taxpayers, since we secured $5 million in state and federal funding."He and Charles Getz are running mates.Gene Duffy (R)Duffy said he is registered as a Republican "but I am not representing the Republican party. I am running as an American."He said the greatest threat to Americans isn't terrorists but politicians."We have read the Constitution, understand it, and will adhere to it," he promised.A priority, he said, will be to strengthen the sheriff's office, since the office "is to protect your rights."'Mentioning a concern of the rights of Americans, he said President Obama has hired 16,000 new IRS agents "to enforce Obama-care."Duffy mentioned no public funds would be used to compete with private enterprise.Charles Getz (D-Incument)Getz, who is in his 16th year as commissioner, said when he ran with O'Gurek eight years ago they established a set of goals at that time. Among them is to not raise taxes, and the goal was accomplished.He said when they entered office, the county debt service totaled $16 million. Today the debt service totals $8 million.He mentioned the tough stance that was taken to have the county receive 50 percent of the hotel tax, when initially the vacation bureau offered the county only 6 percent.He said the goal is to still retain present tax rates.Getz said when Weatherwood was sold, it was a tough decision but it was costing taxpayers in the county $8,000 per day. At the time, there were 152 residents. Today Weatherwood has 125 residents, meaning that if the county still owned it, it would be cost taxpayers $13,000 per day.The candidate also mentioned the importance of having the county own Packerton Yards. He said there had been a proposal to put a garbage transfer facility on the site by a private concern. "Thank God Carbon County owns Packerton Yards," he said, adding that he will never allow such a trash facility on the site.He and William O'Gurek are running mates.Robert Dages (R)Dages stressed the importance that any government not compete with private business.He added,"One of the things that differentiates me ... is not policy issues but philosophical issues."He told the gathering, "You don't have a mess like Packerton Yards if you're not there in the first place."There will be many firsts if you elect me commissioner," he noted.He said he will teach constitutional issues and history, replace property tax with a flat tax, and unite the 23 police departments in Carbon County under one with the sheriff being the administrator.In addition, he would like to see a Habitat for Humanity begun in Carbon County, although this would be aside from his service as commissioner.Jerry Strubinger (D)"We're at a crossroads in American, Pennsylvania, Carbon County, Jim Thorpe," he said. "What we need now is leadership."He stressed the importance of fiscal responsibility.One of his main priorities would be to eliminate some traffic bottlenecks in the county.One would be at the McCall (Route 209) bridge which spans Weissport. He said he would "take the bridge down and let the sun shine on Weissport."He said a "lower bridge" across the Lehigh River at Weissport would be less expensive and could be aligned to end the bottlenecks."We need to have bold new ideas," he said.Strubinger also said he would take a 50 percent pay cut as a commissioner.One other point touched by Strubinger is that instead of using the $1 million the county received in gambling money from Mount Airy on the Packerton Yards, he would provide it to school districts.