Key speakers, candidates, and Wyoming County Democratic Committee members attending a breakfast meeting in Factoryville on May 6 included (front, from left) Colleen Eagen Gerrity, Norm Ball, Tammy Balewski, (back) David Plummer, Barbara Grimaud, Jeff Mitchell, Abe Kukuchka, Norm White, and Alan Howe.
Photos and Story by Rick Hiduk
Approximately 60 people met at the Factoryville Fire Hall this morning for the annual spring Wyoming County Democrats breakfast. Current office holders, like county commissioner Ron Williams and county auditor Laura Dickson, were present, but the spotlight went to those seeking election and re-election.
Democratic Committee chairman Norm White gave welcoming remarks, and Rev. Lou Divis offered the blessing. After the meal, committee treasurer and Tunkhannock Borough Mayor Norm Ball (above) introduced new guests and Windham Township Supervisor Mike Stabinski (below) introduced the candidates.
Two of three Republican candidates for District Magistrate in attendance spoke before the crowd: David Plummer and Barbara Grimaud. John Tidball was recognized but did not take the podium, as he did not cross file and will not be on the Democratic Primary ballot.
Grimaud suggested that not enough is being done to address the mental illness aspect of the opioid epidemic, which has led to prison overpopulation. Incumbent judge Plummer (below) countered that addiction and mental illness are a “dual diagnosis” with which he deals daily. He said the problem lies with a lack of funding to address the mental illness side of the issue.
Tammy Balewski, who is running for Tunkhannock Township Supervisor, made it clear that she is against current zoning proposals that she feels will make largely rural Tunkhannock Township feel more like a gated community. There are already building codes and other measures in place that adequately address issues associated with economic progress, Balewski remarked.
District Attorney Jeff Mitchell is running unopposed in this year’s election but reminded audience members not to be complacent. Mitchell (below, right) spoke of a successful drug take-back campaign that has taken tons of unused pharmaceuticals off the streets, and grants that will provide training for law enforcement officials dealing with instances where mental illness is a factor, as well as anti-bullying programs for school children and teachers.
Alan Howe, who will run against Republican incumbent Lou Barletta for PA’s 11th District in 2018 asked those in attendance to start working now to help him close the gap and unseat Barletta in 18 months. Howe (above, left) blamed Republican tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans for dramatically shifting the balance of income since the 1960s. At that time, the bottom 50% of earners garnered a little more than 20% of the income, and the top 1% of earners took in about 12%. Today, the top 1% controls more than 20% of all income, and the bottom 50% is left with about 13%.
Commonwealth Court Judge Todd Eagen’s sister, Colleen Gerrity, spoke on his behalf, noting that he missed a seat on the Commonwealth Court in the last election due to the perennially aggressive campaigning of Allegheny County candidates. Eagen, a Lackawanna County resident, is the only endorsed candidate on the primary ballot this year, she noted, but the number four slot adds an additional challenge for an important race that many voters overlook.