A former chief deputy coroner and state trooper is facing off against a radiation oncologist for the office of Schuylkill County coroner.

Republican incumbent Dr. David J. Moylan of South Manheim Township, seeks a second term in office. He’s being challenged by Democrat James Nettles of Branch township.Here’s a primer:Dr. David J. MoylanParty: RepublicanAge: 64Education: Degree in life sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine.Profession/trade: Schuylkill County coroner. After working as an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Thomas Jefferson University Medical College, Moylan is currently a radiation oncologist and the medical director of The Simon Kramer Cancer Institute and the Joint Center for Therapeutic Oncology.Affiliations: He is a member of the Knights of Columbus in the Third Degree, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.Q: What would you bring to this office?I plan to obtain a second transport vehicle which will be rented to the county to back up the present morgue vehicle. The rental fee for the vehicle will be $1 per year. This will essentially eliminate our dependence on area funeral directors to provide backup transportation of decedents at the rate of $80 for in-county trips to $120 per one-way trip to Reading or Allentown. This is contingent upon approval by the county commissioners.Q: What, if any changes would you make for the coroner’s office to run more efficiently?The processing of toxicology specimens is a major cause of delay in finalizing autopsy findings and death certificates. By forming a consortium of coroners departments in the anthracite region, it is hoped that we could all apply “economies of scale” to purchase goods and services at reduced rates. I am referring to supplies such as mortuary bags, and gloves, and perhaps even “stat” laboratory testing for alcohol, carbon monoxide and substances of abuse.James NettlesParty: DemocratAge: 69Education: Cass Township High School; Pennsylvania State University, with a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice, in addition to an associate degree in community services. He has training in forensic anthropology, investigations of deaths attributed to administering of various controlled substances/prescription drugs. He has have presented classes at coroners’ workshops. He has received training in mass fatality planning, the National Incident Management System, and incident command systems, along with attending various classes conducted by state Office of the Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police. Nettles has presented a program on the hidden dangers on the use of heroin.Profession/trade: He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 1971, serving as a state trooper for over 30 years, retiring in 2002 as a criminal unit supervisor. He served in patrol, crime, and vice/narcotics, and was assigned as a Deputy U.S. Marshall, working with the Drug Enforcement Administration in high profile cases.In January 2008, Nettles was appointed as the chief deputy coroner in the Schuylkill County coroner’s office until January 2012. He supervised deputy coroners in the day-to-day operations and investigations. He has an extensive background testifying in local, state and federal courts involving various criminal investigations. Nettles attended hundreds of autopsies, many with (Schuylkill County pathologist) Dr. Richard Bindie.He is currently employed as the chief of police in Foster Township, and as a criminal justice instructor with the McCann School of Business and Technology, Pottsville campus, for the past 10 years. He served with the U.S. Air Force, serving four years during the Vietnam conflict.Affiliations: He is a member of the Schuylkill County Suicide Task Force and the Child Death Review Team. He was a PIAA baseball/softball umpire for 20 years.Q: What would you bring to the office?I have 35 years of investigative experience, 31 with the state police, and four as a chief of police. I was the chief deputy coroner for four years. I have the devotion, desire and genuinely care about the citizens of Schuylkill County to fulfill the duties as your coroner.Q: What changes would you make to the office if elected?I would change the coroner’s office back to an investigative agency, with full-time supervision. I’d stop spending tax dollars, establish safeguards for evidence and prescription drugs, and have a permanent location for the office.