The upcoming primary election on May 19 will provide plenty of choices to fill the seats in the Carbon County Commissioners race.

On the Democratic ticket, incumbent William O'Gurek of Summit Hill faces off against opponents, Rocky Ahner of Lehighton, Jesse Walck of Summit Hill, Brent Green of Kunkletown and Thomas Boyko of Lehighton.These five Democratic candidates are vying for two spots on the commissioners' general election ballot in November, so the Times News asked them six questions about various topics and issues occurring in the county they want to represent. Their answers are published below in the order they were received.What are some of your qualities that separate you from the other candidates?O'Gurek: I believe the No. 1 difference between myself and the other Democratic candidates for commissioner is experience. As chairman of the board for eight years, and the minority member for the past 3- years, I believe my experience stands above the other candidates. These are trying times for counties and I believe it is imperative our county has people serving it who understand the administration of the budget, execution of contracts, personnel issues and other complex issues that confront commissioners every day.Boyko: I grew up here in Pennsylvania not having much. My parents passed away at a young age. The Lord smiled on me and gave me the determination and confidence to be to be a self-made success. I learned to spend and budget money wisely. I built a million dollar business in only four years mostly on 100 percent service, which is the way I live my life. Everything I do I put 100 percent effort into it. I'm called "the people's candidate" because I'm out in the public all the time and I hear the taxpayers needs and know what they expect. I have business skills and a lifetime of helping everyone."Ahner: I've worked in industry, had my own business for 30 years and have the attitude that we all have to get along. I bring a friendly face, able to work with people, knowledge of a large budget and the understanding of contracts. Appointed as a Pennsylvania School Board Association delegate to Washington DC and speaking at the Pennsylvania State Capitol on school funding and House bill 2124 to save taxpayer dollars, gives me the knowledge of working at any level. It's time our taxpayers have a commissioner who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done.Green: I believe my leadership is a strong quality. As a township supervisor, it demonstrates my commitment in bettering my township, our communities and Carbon County. In 2011, I was elected to serve as a township supervisor in Lower Towamensing Township. In my second year of office, I became chairman of our board, a position I still hold today. I have the compassion to make Carbon County a better place for our residents. Carbon County deserves a new vision and I feel my leadership, integrity and dedication separates me from my opponents and will bring a new perspective to our county.Walck: During my time on Summit Hill Borough Council, we cut taxes two years in a row. We also eliminated debt and inefficiencies. That kind of approach is a habit with me. I have an education and career experience that focus on managing money and using money effectively. I am the kind of person who will ask the tough questions and take the action that is needed. Local governments are the closest to the people. It is important that they are professionally, efficiently and fairly run and that they actually address people's needs.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?O'Gurek: I would definitely further plans for the fire training/multi-purpose facility on behalf of our firemen, police, ambulance personnel and county employees. Fire training is of extreme importance toward the safety of persons and properties, and, for many years, people in our communities have under-appreciated the volunteerism the dedicated emergency responders have given to us. This facility would be an investment in them and all 23 municipalities in the county and their residents, but, most importantly, it would provide facilities that would have many other useful and important needs of our county, boroughs and townships.Boyko: I am fully in favor of the fire training center, of course, if it is 100 percent grant funded. I believe the more training our firefighters receive, the more lives can be saved. In talking with townships and municipalities, I found that their issue with supporting the center is the location. I believe it would be better built at the county-owned Packerton Yards. Packerton Yards site offers many benefits from its location to a plentiful supply of water. This property has many flaws that make it virtually unsellable because of its size. This could be a way to utilize this property to benefit the county.Ahner: As a future commissioner there are factors that would have to be determined in building a training facility location, scheduling and a budget that would build for the future. It's time we start treating our firemen, policemen and volunteers as the assets that they are to each community. Our firemen enter your home saving your family, pets and our homes. Also, revenue from state programs should be looked into to offset costs (so the county could get a return on their money.)Green: I would continue the project and ensure that our dedicated volunteers have a facility to train and prepare for the dangerous situations they face to protect our residents lives and property. However, prior to continuing any work we need to guarantee that our county is prepared financially to ensure the future of such a facility, without placing an extra burden on our taxpayers and our dedicated volunteers. Lastly, I would take the time to educate our communities, about the project so that everyone can understand the need for their support to make it a reality, which has not been done.Walck: This facility has been promised for years. It is time that we moved forward to address the training needs of our volunteer firefighters. I have spoken to many of our volunteers from across the county and the additional costs of both department funds and personal time that the numerous departments incur when having to travel in order to conduct the required training can be permanently mitigated by moving forward with this project. I feel that we should be looking to make our volunteers lives easier and this project is a step in that direction.Carbon County is comprised largely of an aging population. How would you help them if elected?O'Gurek: I am proud of the services Carbon County continues to provide for its aging population, even though administration of these programs often is jeopardized by cutbacks in state and federal funds. As a commissioner, I would continue to be an advocate for human services programs that our residents not only need, but deserve. They would include Protective Services, Waiver and Options programs, senior centers/home-delivered meals and transportation assistance. There is no more important cause than to help this generation get what they need to live comfortable and happy lives, and I would work diligently towards that.Boyko: I am believer in the United Way and plan on having fundraisers to not only help the senior community, but will benefit in the entire county. Our seniors deserve the very best. They built this county and I plan on doing everything in my power to see that their needs are met. I believe it's our obligation to take care of the ones who took care of us years ago.Ahner: The federal and state funding is very supportive but the problem I see is at the county level we are under-staffed. Cutting jobs to save money is not the answer to appropriately help our seniors. Ten dollars is a lot of money to them.Green: I would strive to provide our seniors with the benefits they deserve. One of my accomplishments as a township supervisor was providing our aging population a senior discount on our garbage bills to help defer the financial burden for seniors who live and support themselves on fixed incomes. I would continue to offer the programs that are currently offered by the county, such as transportation, counseling, day facilities and centers, while striving to improve and provide additional programs for our aging population, while at the same time being fiscally accountable to the taxpayers.Walck: I would look for ways to consolidate services for seniors so that they don't have to negotiate the bureaucracy. We need services that help seniors stay in their own homes and programs that support family members who are caregivers. If we can support these family members we will have achieved better care for seniors and less costs over the long term for the taxpayers.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?O'Gurek: The commissioners have initiated several programs to help people with drug problems, including hiring a drug and alcohol specialist at the prison to help inmates with dependency issues, and starting a Medical Assistance pilot program so they can get continuous treatment upon their release. While these are important advancements, we also have to focus our attention to the many others who are not in the penal system, but have addictions and other impairments. It's important we continue to support the C-M-P Drug and Alcohol Commission because of the valuable in-patient and out-patient programs they make available for individuals.Boyko: It has been my experience, that the majority of the residents with addiction stems from a sense of hopelessness and not being able to make a living. It's my belief that growing the local economy will help alleviate hopelessness and give people a sense of self-worth. I would look into grants to fund the council and aid of addictions and to help assist with life and employment skills. I believe drug prevention should start at a young age. A scared straight like program in our schools would provide our children with the knowledge of harmful long-term effects of illegal street drugs.Ahner: There has to be more of a focus on the first-time offender. After that, costs bore onto the county taxpayer for second- and third-time offenders. Our front line defenders, our local police forces and hospitals, are being overwhelmed. The taxpayer ends up paying more for this problem than most realize. We need to place more attention at the front end of this problem, providing longer treatment for first time offenders, which would greatly reduce pains to the family and costs to the county.Green: Now is the time for change, we need to help reduce and prevent the number of individuals using drugs, while treating those who currently have problems. To combat this growing epidemic we must find solutions to reduce our prison population, while utilizing other alternatives for alcohol and drug abuse treatment. Let's end the revolving door in our justice system, and create programs that work in helping offenders find jobs, receive treatment for addiction, while making them a responsible and productive part of our county, as well as treating mental health patients in the healthcare field rather than jail.Walck: I am pleased to see that the county is finally offering a counseling program at the county prison. I think we need a comprehensive approach to the drug and alcohol program one that includes the schools, rehabilitation and strong law enforcement. We need to identify at-risk kids early and establish programs that give them the tools to avoid addiction. These programs do not have to be provided by government. We should look for partnerships with non-governmental organizations that have a history of success in this area. As for overcrowding at the prison, we cannot allow a dangerous situation for employees and inmates but we shouldn't automatically jump to a "construction" solution. We should maximize out-placement options and establish contracts with outside resources before we start a building project that we may not be able to afford.No one wants to raise taxes, but, if elected, what would you do to try and keep spending down so that real estate taxes for the county could remain at their current rate?O'Gurek: The commissioners have made some very tough decisions regarding spending, including the sale of the nursing home that was costing the taxpayers over $3 million a year; shutdown of non-mandated programs, like recycling, that was costing the county hundreds of thousands of dollars; privatization of economic development; elimination of positions by attrition; and consolidation of job duties. A leader encourages those around him or her to do more with less, and that has been the mantra of my service to the county, that is, to work with officeholders and department heads to provide an efficient government.Boyko: I've never been a overspender in my personal or business life. I believe you need to budget your money and for Carbon County, put repairs and upgrades out for bid. Also, I believe tourism is a huge benefit to our county and holding more events in Jim Thorpe to utilize the county-owned parking lot will help ease the burden on the taxpayers.Ahner: Look at my track record. I've voted "no" on a tax increase four years in a row. It is important, as a servant of the people, to do my best with their hard earned money. I look at each budget line item by line item. Taxes should only be raised for good reasons, not because you can. I've achieved a measure of success with this in the Lehighton School District and that is my promise as a commissioner.Green: In order to keep spending down, it is essential to audit every department and program to ensure they are running efficiently, while guaranteeing funds are being spent responsibly. I would attempt to create partnerships with other counties, and other agencies to help reduce the county's financial burden. I would make every attempt possible to avoid another 48.7 percent tax increase on our taxpayers, while trying to balance our budget and reduce Carbon County's current $3.1 million deficit. Our hardworking taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and that their money is being spent wisely.Walck: First and foremost we need to stop doing things that cost the taxpayers money that could be avoided. I think that the county could keep costs down and actually improve service by using technology more effectively. I'd also make a point of asking county employees what could be done to improve service and cut costs. I know they will have lots of good ideas and they are often the most frustrated when they see tax money wasted. Businesses and citizens from across the county should be included in this process because nobody has a monopoly on good ideas. With this kind of team approach, we can keep costs and taxes down.What other issues are important to you that you would like the Carbon County voters to know?O'Gurek: The biggest issue is candidates do not tell the truth, or they distort facts. One distortion is the allegation that I increased county taxes. I have never voted for a tax increase ever! A second mistruth is the county budget has a deficit of $3 million. Our general fund, where all your tax money goes, has a beginning balance for 2015 of $8,893,220. We anticipate receipts and expenses of $22,268,853. We work hard every day to live within that budget, and I believe the taxpayers will see that, as we anticipate a year ending balance of $8,893,220.Boyko: Building the local economy. In favor of a speedy completion of the Penn Forest Township Parks and Recreation Project for the local residents. Assisting veterans in transformation from military to civilian life. Education of our children. Assisting the elderly with life challenges.Ahner: Carbon County's workforce has a great work ethic. As a county we should be partnering with local manufacturers and searching for new job avenues to provide quality life sustaining jobs to restore our economy in Carbon County. There are many issues throughout the county and no stone should go unturned no matter what corner of the county you go too. I'll always look out for the Carbon County worker/taxpayer. That's my priority.Green: With the growing problems our communities face with our stagnant economy, we need leaders who work with our communities to help alleviate the problems they face today. We need a leader who truly understands our residents and will work to get our youth and residents involved and active in our county and be a true public servant to the taxpayers. We need a commissioner who is willing to renew and revive our county government to promote the opportunities Carbon County has in its potential to provide jobs and necessary services to improve the quality of life for all residents.Walck: According to the 2015 budget, the county is spending $3.1 million more than it is bringing in as revenue. In the past, the county has plugged this budget hole by using money from the sale of Weatherwood and other one-time revenue. This approach is clearly not sustainable. Unless this issue is honestly addressed and soon, a tax increase will be inevitable. In Summit Hill, I was able to take a budget that had serious shortfalls when I was elected and turn it into a surplus and two consecutive tax cuts during my time on council. This is the approach that I will bring to the county everyday as your commissioner.