Editor’s note: The Times News is publishing candidate profiles through Saturday in advance of the election on Nov. 7.

Five candidates are on the ballot for the three seats on the board of the Schuylkill County Commissioners.

Gary Hess and Rita Anczarski Baldino are on the Democratic ticket, while Larry Padora and Barron “Boots” Hetherington are on the Republican ticket.

Gregory Woll is on the Libertarian ticket. Mary Jo Moss is running a write-in campaign.

Hess and Hetherington are incumbents.

The salary is set at $65,426.91 a year for the chairman and $62,701.81 for the other two commissioners.

We asked candidates the following questions: 1) Why are you running for office?; 2) What is the biggest problem facing the county and how would you solve it?; 3) Outsourcing prisoners is costing the county in excess of $1 million per year. How can the county solve the overflow of prisoners and how will you finance it?; 4) How will you restore integrity and unity to the board?; 5) Mental health and the need for services is a hot topic throughout the country. What will you do ensure people (including prisoners) get the help they need?; 6) Other comments. Candidates were asked to keep responses to 75 words.

Gary Hess

Town: Schuylkill Haven

Background: Hess is a 1975 graduate of St. Clair High School and the Schuylkill Technology Center. He moved to Schuylkill Haven in 1979. He and his wife started their business Hess Catering Inc. In 2005, he was elected mayor of Schuylkill Haven. In 2011, he was elected as a Schuylkill County Commissioner, where he was instrumental in forming the Schuylkill County Youth Summit. He and his wife Sandy have two children and three grandchildren.

Reason for running: My reason for running has been constant from the first time I ran in 2011: to make Schuylkill County a great place to live, work and play, while building a strong foundation for all to attain success; to get everyone to work together; to include people, rather than exclude them. We can overcome challenges that face our county. There are several projects that I would like to see accomplished, including the Intermediate Punishment Center.

Biggest problem facing county: I have always been a strong advocate for public safety. We need to continue to partner with the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs and the Firemen’s Association and ensure that training is available here in the county.

The question comes who will answer the call when help is needed.

We need to work with high schools, and colleges to market this as a career path or a way to give back to the community.

Prison overcrowding: Our current jail is old and there is no room for enlargement.

We need to secure an offsite facility for an Intermediate Punishment Center for nonviolent offenders.

The cost of this facility continues to grow every year. We have $4 million and need to look for grants, and possibly issue a bond for the project.

I would rather see the money spent right here in our county, while also providing jobs for our citizens.

Restore trust: We need to have respect for each other’s opinions and ideas, and work out solutions, so we can move forward.

We need to also engage others in the process, like row officers and department heads.

We need the citizens to trust that their tax dollars are being spent the best way. I would like to engage the public in a county advisory board to get their input on the challenges in their area and countywide.

Mental health: First, we need to take away the stigma of mental illness. We need to advocate with our State Delegation to make sure we have the available funds and resources. Counties deliver critical mental health services such as community residential programs, family-based support, outpatient care and crisis intervention.

The closure of many of the state hospitals has resulted in unmet needs which have led to criminal charges, many of these individuals are often committed to jail.

Other comments: I would like to thank the citizens of this county for the opportunity to have served you over these past 12 years.

I have taken this position seriously, and have worked hard every day, acting in the best interest of citizens.

I will continue to lead by these principles.

The vision for a bright future

The ear to listen.

The voice to speak up.

The touch to help anyone that needs help.

And the heart to care.

Rita Anczarski Baldino

Background: Rita Anczarski began teaching at St Patrick’s, Pottsville and served 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. A former Shenandoah Valley School Director, Rita was appointed as President for the fourth and fifth years of a six-year term. Rita worked as a homeless advocate, Children and Youth caseworker, teacher and School Psychologist. Rita has a Masters in Counseling from Immaculata University and a Doctorate in School Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Reason for running: Rita grew up in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County in a family that believed in faith and integrity. Leaving in 1983 on a sabbatical, Rita extended her leave due to marriage. Upon returning home after the death of her husband, Rita Baldino was embarrassed by the sexual harassment accusations levied at one of Schuylkill’s Commissioners. Rita is running for office to restore “Grace and Dignity” to political leadership in general and specifically here in Schuylkill County.

Biggest problem: The biggest problem facing our county is the limited tax revenue we receive from our aged residential structures and the need to continue services with limited funds. I am hoping to engage philanthropists, successful businesses and nongovernmental organizations to assist in the provision of services, even when they have to cross municipal boundaries. ONE SCHUYLKILL, moving forward.

Prison overcrowding: The easiest way to solve the outflow of prisoner housing to other counties is to build new. This remedy may not be fiscally responsible so I am proposing the Bethesda Model used in Philadelphia to take a dent out of homelessness. I believe a new model of transitional care homes would be both fiscally responsible and offer creative mental health services to end recidivism, especially with our nonviolent population.

Integrity: I’ve lived a life of integrity so behaving in a way that support’s honesty and transparency will just be a continuation of my daily behavior. I will model integrity. As a practicing psychologist, unity comes from respecting other people and making them feel heard. I will listen to whomever the voters send to sit beside me and respect their position as an elected commissioner as well as a human being on the dais.

Mental health: Restoration of mental health doesn’t happen with one pill or one session with a trained therapist. Ensuring that people get the help they need starts with all of us. The entire county needs to he engaged in a program of personal self- respect and care for each and every person that we come in contact with on a daily basis. Kindness matters. I am hoping to do a marketing campaign that engages every citizen in a Campaign of Respect and acceptance for one another (including prisoners).

Other comments: Running for county commissioner was an easy decision. Should I win, governance will be much harder. I am asking ALL of Schuylkill County to partner with me by adding your thoughts to my creative problem solving ideas. Come with solutions to help leaders solve the problems in your communities. Money and resources are only one of the ways to solve a problem. I welcome each of you into the TEAM FOR CHANGE.

Barron I. “Boots” Hetherington:

Address: Union Township, Ringtown

Background: I am a sixth generation farmer successfully operating a small business in Schuylkill County for 43 years. I have served at the PA Department of Agriculture under Governor Corbett. I have also served at the United States Department of Agriculture under Presidents George W. Bush and Trump. I served on the Penn State Board of Trustees. I was elected as an auditor for Union Township as well as a member of the Republican State Committee.

Reason for running: I was appointed to fill the term of Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier. I became Chairman of the Board and our County Election Board after only six weeks. I provided the necessary leadership to keep the Courthouse open and doing the people’s business in spite of a scandal and in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. I want to see through several projects that I started, including an EMA Training Facility and a prisoner prerelease center.

Biggest problem: Schuylkill County needs economic development, infrastructure improvements, and affordable housing for our working families. As a commissioner I will continue to work with SEDCO to create jobs. We provided the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority with funding for water and sewer expansion to support SEDCO’s plan. We must continue to move forward on the final phase of the PA Route 61 rebuilding. We need to attract housing developers for family housing opportunities.

Outsourcing prisoners: I have formed a task force to address this problem. We are consulting with a design group to come up with a secure facility to house lower risk prisoners and also provide rehabilitation along with job skill training to reduce recidivism of inmates. Although the end of outsourcing is not a full transfer of funding because of operational costs, the net reduction along with some possible funding from the Federal infrastructure may be the solution.

Restore integrity: I have worked very closely with Commissioner Hess and a great administration to keep Schuylkill on track and moving ahead. After Jan. 2, 2024, we will no longer be plagued by what football coaches refer to as “off the field issues.” I look forward to working with commissioners who are doing the right thing daily and putting the needs of the citizens of Schuylkill County ahead of their personal agenda.

Mental Health: Schuylkill County has a privately operated mental help crisis center working with our Mental Health and Developmental Services Department to provide a place to seek help, assistance, and references. This provides 24 hour service for those in need. The Commissioners are working with our state organization (CCAP) to convince the General Assembly and Governor Shapiro to devote more funding to address mental health issues and not just letting these individuals end up in County lockup.

Other comments: We have made major accomplishments in public safety with the 911 tower and COVID economic relief. There are more projects in the works that benefit our citizens. I want to thank everyone that has supported me and I’m looking forward to continue my service to the county and its residents. I consider it an honor to serve as your commissioner.

Larry Padora

Town: New Ringgold

Background: Larry Padora is a lifelong Schuylkill County resident. He graduated from Tamaqua High School before continuing his education at Schuylkill Technology Center and Lehigh County Community College. He is the owner of Padora’s Italian Bakery and Padora’s Inspection Garage. He is also the director of facilities at Schuylkill Transportation System. Larry is a dedicated family man who serves as president of New Ringgold Borough Council and chairman of the Schuylkill County Tax Collection Committee.

Reason for running: I want to put my extensive government and business experience to maximum use for the benefit of Schuylkill County, my beautiful lifelong home, which holds the potential to be the economic powerhouse in Pennsylvania that it was many decades ago. Our people continually move away to places with lower taxes, better jobs, and clean government. It’s time to start a new chapter, so that our children and grandchildren will want to remain here to thrive.

Biggest problem: My top priority is stopping the endless drama in the commissioner’s office and restoring professionalism and an environment of PUBLIC SERVICE. This can be done immediately and, until it does, no worthy goals of tax relief, job creation and ending political favoritism will happen. We must have an experienced, talented, dedicated, and ethical Board, administration, and staff that can function well together toward the common purpose of greater public service at the lowest possible cost.

Outsourcing prisoners: It’s time to re-purpose the unused county-owned property on the industrial grounds outside St. Clair into a pre-release center for nonviolent offenders. We already secured a $1.7 million federal grant for this purpose. Also, we must kill two birds with one stone, by storing criminal records at this county-owned property in St. Clair, rather than foolishly continuing to pay $3500 a month to a storage facility at Bullshead Run.

Restore integrity: Integrity is achieved when elected officials abide by the same standard of professionalism, ethics and accountability that they demand of those who work for them. Elected officials must also follow the golden rule of public service: govern in the manner you expect to be governed. As for unity, board members won’t always agree, but they must always respect each other’s ideological differences and negotiate in good faith while putting service above self.

Mental Health: As evermore people need mental health services from county government, it becomes crucial to re-prioritize this mandate accordingly, as well as to achieve cost savings across the board that can be channeled to mental health services. We must also aggressively seek our share of state and federal grants for mental health.

Other comments: Leadership is the most important trait. Too often, a go-along-to-get-along attitude becomes the dominate force. Politicians are afraid to lead because their priority is getting re-elected, rather than making tough decisions. Lack of leadership is why our country is in financial trouble. I am not running to be the most popular person in the courthouse; I am running to make the hard decisions necessary to make our county the best place in Pennsylvania to live.

Gregory A. Woll

Age: 38

Town: Schuylkill Haven (South Manheim Township)

Background: A Schuylkill County native, he graduated from high school in 2003 and enlisted in the military, serving two tours in Iraq while earning an associate degree in information technology. He partnered in a renewable energy business and earned bachelor’s and master’s in information science and cyber security. He is a cyber security engineer at Trimble, volunteers with the American Cancer Society and led a Cub Scout pack. Married with four children, he’s rooted in family and service.

Reason for running: I am running for office to uphold fiscal responsibility, protect personal liberties, and ensure individual rights are protected. I believe Schuylkill County needs a voice that prioritizes these principles in decision-making, whether it’s in the allocation of taxpayer funds or the development of ordinances that safeguard property and individual rights. My dedication to the community and strong family values motivate my bid for county commissioner.

Biggest problem: The most urgent issue is lack of fiscal responsibility. This includes a $26 million long-term debt, a $6 million budget deficit from the previous year, an additional $7 million bond for reassessment, and the potential for a $10 million deficit in 2024. This long standing problem requires immediate action. My approach involves a comprehensive review of department budgets, cost-cutting strategies and contract consolidation. We must prioritize preparing Schuylkill County for economic development to boost revenue.

Outsourcing prisoners: Repurposing the old STS building for the Schuylkill County Pre-Release Center raises concerns due to its proximity to a church and residential areas. I propose locating it near Federal or State Corrections facilities by Interstate 81, aligning with current land use and preserving industrial park space for business growth. Seek grants and support from Washington and Harrisburg, building upon the $1.06 million allocation secured by Congressman Meuser, advancing the project while safeguarding fiscal responsibility.

Restore integrity: I intend to restore integrity and unity to the board by grounding my approach in unwavering public service commitment, influenced by my military background and the core values of LDRSHIP. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage will guide my actions as commissioner. Additionally, I advocate for a collaborative spirit across political spectrums. It is essential to work collectively for the benefit of all Schuylkill County citizens, fostering a more effective board.

Mental health: Having served in the military, I understand the challenges of mental health, due to PTSD from my tours in Iraq. I advocate for a comprehensive approach to mental health. The county’s existing mental health services represent a positive step in that direction. I am committed to their expansion. We must support local organizations, addressing homelessness and poverty.

Establishing the Schuylkill County Pre-Release Center will offer essential mental

health services to nonviolent offenders and reduce recidivism.

Other comments: Recent data from the NSA says a staggering 58% of local governments are projected to fall victim to ransomware attacks, the average ransom being nearly $2.10 Million. A ransomware attack on the county could have severe repercussions, incapacitating the county’s website, disrupting internal access to crucial tools like email and other applications for employees. It could grind all county business operations to a halt, potentially necessitating the closure of county buildings until systems are restored.