Four Republican Carbon County commissioner candidates are hoping to see their name on the general election ballot in November.

First they'll need to be one of the top two vote-getters within their party in Tuesday's primary election.Incumbents and running mates Wayne Nothstein of Lehighton and Tom Gerhard of Weatherly will be challenged by Duane Dellecker of Lehighton, and his running mate, Wayne Smith of Jim Thorpe.The Times News asked the candidates six questions about various topics and issues occurring in the county they want to represent.Their answers are published in the order they were received.Dellecker and Smith answered the questions together as running mates.What are some of your qualities that separate you from the other candidates?Dellecker: Having served the residents of Carbon County in various capacities over the last 25 years, I have gained extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the county and its local boroughs and townships. As the former county planner, my responsibilities included farmland preservation, overseeing the preservation of over 1,200 acres of farmland in the county and developing the Carbon County comprehensive plan, a planning guidance document for the future, were several of my major accomplishments. As the director of the Department of Solid Waste, I was instrumental in establishing a wide variety of recycling programs, receiving numerous awards from the Department of Environmental Protection for school recycling education programs, newsletter design and special collection programs. In my career with Carbon County, I was successful in securing millions of dollars in grant money to help the county and many of its communities in the areas of recycling, farmland preservation and community planning.Smith: Having owned and operated Wayne K. Smith Contracting for over 35 years, with Penn State and Connor Institute courses in construction management, I know what it means to make a payroll and operate a successful business. I have never been politically driven, but I feel the county's future needs a different direction; one that includes the opportunity to run the county as a sound business venture. As a member of the Carbon County Builders Association, I served as president for three consecutive terms. Having served on the board of directors and different committees on the Pennsylvania Builders Association, I have been involved with reviewing and supporting legislation to benefit the building trades.Nothstein: My experience was gained as being a current county commissioner for the past 15 years. Being a veteran has provided me with an insight into the needs of our veterans and served as the chair of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Military and Veterans Committee for three years to promote legislation to help our veterans. I also serve as a representative of CCAP on the Sheriff's and Deputy Sheriff's Training and Education Board and the E 911 wireless committee since 2004. Involvement in emergency management and as co-chair of the Child and Family Collaborative Board for 10 years has put me in touch with the many human services needs of our county. I have made those tough decisions, with the taxpayers in mind, to close departments not mandated by legislation to have in place which saved taxpayer dollars.Gerhard: I feel that I am a commissioner who is accessible to the public at all times. I am extremely active in my community and the surrounding communities in Carbon County. I am and have always been an honest person and work to the best of my ability in every project or undertaking on a daily basis. This quality was instilled in me by my parents at a young age. When striving to achieve any goal, I am not afraid to cross party lines in order to accomplish this mission.With the announcement of a proposed fire training facility earlier this year, if elected commissioner, would you continue moving forward with the project or no? Why or why not?Smith/Dellecker: The volunteer fire departments in Carbon County save taxpayers millions of dollars every year. As such, we need to do everything in our power to aid in their success. Many of our first responders spend countless hours on training and fundraising to have the resources to respond to emergencies.The cost of this proposed facility, estimated at $5-$10 million dollars, seems quite excessive. A recent letter sent to communities, fire and police departments, indicates they also plan a new 911 center. First, the existing 911 center is only 20 years old and has recently been upgraded. Secondly, we question the location on the side of a mountain for various reasons including access, water supply and forest fires.We are in favor of helping the firefighters with such a facility, but the location is questionable and there are few specifics. We believe a public meeting should be held with the firefighters and taxpayers to determine their needs, alternative locations and financials before proceeding.We believe, before spending $5-10 million of taxpayer money, a clear plan should be presented with specifics. Then, allow those who must pay the bill to vote on the project.Nothstein: Yes. The safety of our first responders and the people they serve and the property they protect is number one priority. Second the training center is not only for fire, it is also for police, emergency medical services, county employees, human service agencies and the many other agencies that use the facility, such as Penn State extension offices, Interagency and Family Collaborative Board and many other county agencies.The training facility will be cost effective to all municipalities by reducing travel costs and keeping our volunteers in the county. Liability and workers' compensation costs are also reduced with proper training.Gerhard: I would definitely continue to pursue the construction of the much needed burn building and fire training center to be constructed on the Broad Mountain in the borough of Nesquehoning.This multiuse facility will be available for the training and education of our emergency service agencies, which include law enforcement, emergency medical services, emergency management coordinators, county employees and fire service personnel. Public safety is a primary issue for any county. It is imperative that these men and women become properly trained and/or recertified in order to provide adequate services to our county residents.Carbon County consists largely of an aging population, how would you help them if elected?Smith/Dellecker: The best way we can help our senior citizens is to keep our hands out of their pockets. Forty-eight percent tax increases are unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs. With little industry to support the tax base, seniors and residents of all ages end up paying the cost of operating the county.There is no reason anyone should be forced out of their home or have to make a choice between medicine or food or paying taxes. Simply stated, government needs to live within its means.We believe the Department of Aging, the senior centers and Meals on Wheels provide many useful services to seniors. The staff does a fine job educating seniors and helping them navigate available programs.In order to really help seniors, we must do everything in our power to expand the tax base and find alternative funding sources for essential programs.Nothstein: We have increased staff to handle the large caseload. We are currently looking at a larger office more centrally located in the county. We continue to provide services and programs that keep our aging population active and out of nursing homes. Education of staff to meet the needs of our seniors is constant. Some activities are the senior games, which approximately 200 seniors attend and look forward to annually.Gerhard: The Carbon County Board of Commissioners has and will continue to support our aging population. The county aging office provides services to our seniors such as: area mobility assistance programs, meal plans and housing, assistance in gaining access to services, individual counseling, support groups and caregiver training, respite care, supplemental services, on a limited basis, services after a clinical evaluation include in-home services, home delivered meals, adult day care, assistive devices or home modifications, home health and personal care services. We have highly skilled case workers and staff, who continue to make these programs successful.Carbon County supports and provides funding in order to continue our Senior Games, which is now in its 27th year for our residents.With drugs and alcohol, as well as overcrowding in the county prison becoming growing problems, what types of programs and initiatives would you look to implement to help the residents who face addictions?Smith/Dellecker: Early education and intervention are essential in stopping this growing problem. Abuse of prescription drugs, illegal drugs and alcohol cost taxpayers in many ways; especially in higher crime rates and criminal justice costs.That being said, taxpayers should not have to shoulder the burden created by people making poor choices. The abusers need to be held accountable for their bad decisions.We believe ways must be found to make addicts pay for the services they require. So, when services are utilized, they are assessed the cost. When rehabilitated, they return the cost to the taxpayer. Perhaps, if addicts are held accountable for their actions, they will think twice before going into a relapse.Early education, prevention and intervention are the key to success in this area. This is how we turn tax burdens into productive citizens.Nothstein: We have been working with the Carbon, Pike and Monroe Drug and Alcohol Commission. In January of this year a forensic case manager was put in place to have them prepared for immediate placement into medical assistance upon release from prison. Failure to do that they would not qualify for immediate assistance and return to old habits. We are also in the process of gathering information on current inmates through a computer program to determine the needs. Collaboration with courts to gather this information before pre-trials and sentencing and assist in the decision making process. The CMP Mental Health and Developmental Services is working closely with the county to see what additional services could be provided. Tours of a day reporting facility have been done and they are looking into the possibility of a drug court.Gerhard: As most of the municipalities are aware of the increasing drug and alcohol issues within the county, we continue to support and implement new programs in order to reduce recidivism in our county prison. A drug counselor has been recently hired in the prison facility to provide services to the inmates during their incarceration. This counselor is compensated through the facilities commissary fund at no cost to the taxpayers. Also a Carbon County drug tip hot line has recently been implemented. We will continue to work with the district attorney in efforts to decrease the drug abuse in our county.No one wants to raise taxes, but if elected, what would you to do try and keep spending down so that real estate taxes for the county could remain at their current rate?Smith/Dellecker: The current tax rate for property owners in Carbon County is 10.25 mills; up 48.7 percent from 2012. An economy driven by consumer spending relies on disposable income. Every penny government takes from residents, in the form of tax increases, gives them less disposable income. Increasing the tax burden, in any form, hurts the economy.Wasteful spending is one of the culprits and must be brought under control. This can be accomplished by holding department heads accountable for their budgets. Regular meetings with department heads and other employees need to be held and should help generate ideas on ways to eliminate duplicative services, cut costs and maintain a balanced budget.Property taxes are relied on entirely too heavily in our area to balance the budget. The ideal solution is to find alternative funding sources … consumption (sales) taxes are more fair for several reasons. First, is that one can better control their tax burden based on spending. Secondly, everyone pays based on their spending habits.Unfortunately, the state legislature continues to delay passing Senate Bill 76, the Taxpayer Independence Act which is designed to eliminate property taxes as a funding source for schools.Nothstein: We have just completed an energy efficient lighting project. We no longer use tax revenues to maintain the parking lots, the train station, and Josiah White Park through parking lot and meter fees. This expenses include manpower, benefits, supplies and equipment needed to maintain the facilities. Working with the other municipalities through the Council of Governments in the sharing of equipment bidding and contracting of services or equipment. Eliminate any possible positions no longer needed services or positions. We have a safety program which helps reduce insurance and continue to search for and implement any possible cost savings measures for costs.Gerhard: The current commissioners keep a close eye on the daily spending. All county buildings have been converted to LED lighting. This lighting is more cost efficient and will save a considerable amount of money to the taxpayers. Staffing has been reduced due to attrition and county maintenance projects are now completed by the in-house maintenance staff. Prior projects have been contracted out to outside businesses. The food service program at the prison has been privatized for a savings of $70,000 per year, and the blue bin recycling has been discontinued due to a funding deficit of $804,518. All of these adjustments will continue to save taxpayer dollars.What other issues are important to you that you would like the Carbon County voters to know?Smith/Dellecker: Taxpayers need to be consulted on major spending projects. For example, if the county wanted to build a new emergency services center at the Broad Mountain site at a cost of $10 million, we would require a referendum be placed on the ballot for the voters to approve. Those who must pay the mortgage should have the right to say yes or no.We encourage voters to educate themselves and find and support candidates who reflect their values and candidates who are willing to find solutions that benefit residents without digging deeper into our pockets for more tax money. We believe politicians must learn to live within their means just like the residents who inevitably must pay the bill.Nothstein: The county eliminated the county occupational tax in 2009, which caused an annual loss of over $2 million. Over $10 million dollars were lost until the taxes were raised in 2013. The addition of a third judge and courtroom increased staffing levels and expenses. Most of the caseload is due to the increase in the drug problem in Carbon County which affects us at all levels of government.Increase of revenue this year is projected at less than $11,000 for real estate taxes due to the low housing market, tax appeals and other factors. Real estate tax is the main source of revenue for the county. Inflation is outpacing our revenues.Changing technology at the 911 center is an ongoing problem, with a life span of only five to seven years before requiring replacement because of changes in the communications field.Gerhard: I declined my 2 percent salary increase of $1,266 in 2013 when our county employees did not receive a pay raise. This salary increase was voted on by the prior administration, and I felt that it was not fair for me to accept a raise when our county employees did not receive one. This money was returned to the general fund, and when traveling for county business, I use my personal vehicle. I was instrumental in the construction of the firing range located on the Broad Mountain. I felt that this was a much needed facility that will be utilized to keep our personnel properly trained and certified in firearms. I was influential in keeping the animal shelter operating under the county. This shelter continues to successfully operate with costs reduced through donations and fundraising efforts. It is an honor and privilege as a current commissioner to serve all the people of Carbon County.