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THE INTREPID 49ers will compete for 11 available seats on Luzerne County’s new county council. The 49 contenders, 33 Democrats and 16 Republicans, will be whittled to 22, 11 from each party, in the May 17 primary.
This does not include independent candidates who might file to run in November unattached to either party.
In addition, 16 attorneys will vie for six vacant seats on the all-important Court of Common Pleas.
This year it is especially important that voters know who the candidates are and for what they stand. Therefore “In the Arena” will pose a series of questions for all candidates seeking public office this year in Luzerne County. Be it county council or city council; township supervisor or school board member; district attorney or district magistrate; judge of the Court of Common Pleas or mayor of our smallest town, we want to hear from you.
Candidates, please respond to the following questions, adding whatever additional information you believe voters should know. E-mail your answers to kblaum@www.timesleader.com. The voters and I thank you for your participation, your commitment to our region and your willingness to serve, in the arena.
1. Name?
2. Address?
3. Phone Number (Day and, yes, evening)?
4. Age?
5. Occupation?
6. Employer?
7. Position you are seeking?
8. Why do you seek the office?
9. Have you previously served in elected or appointed public office?
10. If so, what position did you hold, for how long and what were your meaningful accomplishments?
11. What is the extent of your formal education and how has it prepared you for the responsibilities you seek?
12. Have you previously been active in politics? If so, how?
13. In the coming campaign will you be accepting campaign donations?
14. If so, is there a dollar amount beyond which you will not accept from a single donor?
15. Is there an aggregate figure beyond which you will not accept from donors representing a single company, corporation, firm, business, partnership, etc.?
16. If offered, would you accept contributions from the gaming industry, its lobbyists or PACS?
17. If offered, would you accept contributions from hydraulic fracturing gas drilling companies, their lobbyists or PACS?
18. If elected but for one term, what will you hope to have achieved?
19. If elected, what two agenda items will top your list, fill your brain and interrupt your sleep until complete?
20. If you are a candidate for Luzerne County Council, what are you looking for in a candidate for county executive, and how far and wide are you willing to search?
21. If you are a candidate for Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, what distinguishes you from your fellow candidates? And for which two of them would you be voting had you not decided to become a candidate yourself?
22. Is there a vote, position, project, program or issue that you consider so important that you would be willing to lose the election because of it? If so, what and why?
Congratulations on your candidacy and thank you for your participation in the democratic process.