The Monroe County Coroner term is for six years. The current salary, according to public records, is $69,026.

Candidates are Thomas A. Yanac Jr., incumbent, and Ed Kmetz.

The League of Women Voters of Monroe County asked: Do you have specific suggestions for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the office for which you are a candidate? Responses have been edited for space constraints.

Thomas A. Yanac Jr.

Democrat

Hamilton Township

Occupation: Monroe County Coroner

Education: Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, Northampton Community College, Bethlehem.

Qualifications: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Education Coroner’s Course. As the Monroe County Coroner elected in 2017, my team and I have implemented significant positive change including: effectively managed consequences of abuse by previous administration, saving taxpayers millions of dollars; resolved high staff turnover; fighting opioid epidemic with the Pennsylvania DDAP Take-Back Program; implemented central holding, saving time and money; prepared plans for disaster emergency, including the pandemic with no staff members contracting COVID-19; developed cooperative working relationships with first responders; networks with religious community leaders; stayed under budget every year; proactive in working with leadership to prevent loss of life.

Answer: It is my passion to continue to be the voice for those who have lost theirs, to ensure that the deceased are treated with honor, respect and dignity, and to provide honest answers and peace of mind to their families. I hope to continue to serve with compassion and fairness, and to seek out further avenues for efficient and accurate administrative operations. I am also looking forward to converting to electronic records by 2022 for an environmentally responsible future. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing to serve Monroe County.

Ed Kmetz

Republican

Hamilton Township

Occupation: Business owner, EMT, educator

Education: Drexel University, BS materials (metallurgical) engineering, Ursinus College, graduate studies in Japanese language; Asahi Cultural Center, Tokyo, Japan, graduate studies in Japanese language; numerous courses and continuing education in automation, programming, networking, business management, human relations, emergency medicine, outdoor emergency care, CPR, mass casualty.

Qualifications: Strong desire to help the residents of Monroe County by leveraging the coroner’s office to reduce teen suicides and opioid overdoses; begin a mission at the coroner’s office to help save lives, rather than only reacting once it’s too late; unrestricted by “That’s the way it’s always been done here; impartial and fair; not part of the funeral home industry; EMT since 1977; EMT instructor; Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor; Outdoor Emergency Care instructor/trainer; American Heart Association CPR instructor; FEMA Trained in Mass Casualty Incident Command; detail oriented.

Answer: See the plan on our website www.coroner.us. In summary, Ed will: 1. Work with our county’s school teachers, administrators, and counselors to speak to students. Ed will talk with students about teen suicides and opioid overdoses. 2. Ensure that all members of our community are treated fairly and equally, with respect and dedication. 3. Work closely with the first responders to make sure they are most effective and appreciated. 4. Bring appropriate technology to the coroner’s office. 5. Effectively manage staff, eliminating any possibility of waste, fraud, and abuse. 6. Promote organ donation. 7. Reach out to our county religious community leaders. 8. Develop a plan for mass casualties.