Letters: Readers sound off on State College primary election, PA constitutional amendments

No, no and yes on constitutional amendments

There are three constitutional amendments on the ballot for the May 18 primaries: two of them are to limit the emergency powers of the elected governor, and the last one is to provide anti-discrimination protection due to race or ethnicity. (Note to independents: you can vote in the May 18 primary on these three amendments, and you are encouraged to do so.)

The voters of Pennsylvania elected their chief executive to lead. The voters have expressed confidence in the governor by putting him in office. In an emergency, do we want a body of 253 members to be debating emergency actions?

The governor has the power to call in federal agencies, such as FEMA, to join with state agencies to address immediate concerns. If an emergency declaration expires in 21 days, it would disrupt all joint federal-state assistance. Food stamps is one example.

These constitutional amendments have very little to do with proper management of emergencies. They are a thinly veiled vendetta by state legislators who were unhappy that Governor Wolf chose public health concerns over commerce during the pandemic. It was really a case of pay now, or pay more later, which is why I, for one, am glad he did.

Please consider voting no, no, and yes (anti-discrimination) on the three proposed amendments.

Filippelli rises to the challenges of change

We love this community. It is a great place to live, to work, to raise our families, to enjoy the beauty of central Pennsylvania. And it is all of those things because of the work we have done to make it happen. As a resident, a community volunteer, an elected official, Ron Filippelli has been a leader in that work. And he has always risen to the challenges of change. From the social and cultural upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s, the economic uncertainties of the 1980s and 1990s, to the national reckoning we now face to ensure racial equality and government accountability, Ron has always been there. He faces challenges head on; keeps an open mind; listens; collaborates; is unafraid to try new options, and that has always been responsible. We need that kind of leadership as we look ahead. Honor the history of Happy Valley by voting for Ron Filippelli for the future.

Candidates will help solve borough problems

Elect Ezra Nanes mayor — he has extensive financial and organizational experience as a director of business development at AccuWeather and holds a Penn State MBA. Elect to council Rich Biever, a small business owner who will bring that much needed experience; Gopal Balachandran, a former public defender and Penn State Law professor; Divine Lipscomb, special projects coordinator for the Penn State Restorative Justice Initiative.

My experience serving State College on council, including as president and prior as chair of the Planning Commission, is that the success we have enjoyed as a community has been based on those who had the vision to be bold and ask questions that challenged the status quo. Some say that only those who have already served on council or ABC’s can possibility know enough to serve. If that were the case, no new people or ideas would ever come forward. Some criticize, with a privileged view, the manner in which marginalized groups raise their voices is somehow dangerous, but these four will listen.

At a recent council meeting, auditors from Maher Duessel presented information about the borough’s fund balances and indicated the borough’s finances were in fine shape. Also, a representative for Concord Public Finance indicated that the borough’s excellent financial standing allows us to obtain very significantly low interest rate proposals. Ezra, Divine, Gopal and Rich will build on that financial soundness, they will bring a wide variety of experience to help solve the issues we face and move positively into the future.

Leous has the right experience for mayor

On May 18, borough voters have the opportunity to vote for a caring, knowledgeable, and proven leader as their candidate for mayor, Jim Leous.

For over 30 years, Jim has made State College home, developing a deep understanding of local issues and concerns. He has built strong connections and relationships and worked successfully with a wide range of people of different backgrounds, ages, perspectives, and priorities, including across party lines. In times of division, he has faith the community can come together and is determined and eager to reach out, engage, and find common ground.

After joining the SCASD school board in 2009, Jim helped forge a unified vision and support for a new high school that now provides a foundation of excellence for our students, teachers, and community. Since the State College Area School District encompasses the borough as well as surrounding townships, serving on the school board has also given Jim a practical understanding of how important the borough is to the economic and social health of the entire area and the critical role it plays for both borough and township residents.

As one of his colleagues, I have appreciated Jim’s level head, genuine interest in people and ideas, willingness to listen, and optimistic commitment to finding inclusive win/win solutions. I strongly encourage you to vote for Jim Leous for mayor on May 18. The school board’s loss will be the borough’s gain — a gain that will benefit the entire State College area.

Votes for good government

In the State College Borough elections, I am voting for Jim Leous, Ron Filipelli, Cathy Dauler and Katherine Yeaple, on Tuesday, May 18. I have worked with them in the past. Some of their characteristics are: experience; dependability; perception; and being able to make decisions. All four are community oriented; willing to listen; and are ready, willing and able to lead.

A vote for Jim Leous, Ron Filipelli, Cathy Dauler and Katherine Yeaple is a vote for good government.

Dauler has extraordinary experience and judgment

We have the opportunity to vote for extraordinary experience and judgment on the Borough Council in the new election. Catherine Dauler, my neighbor of 38 years, has served on an extended variety of borough positions including both the council and the College Heights Association. She is experienced with financial management under many circumstances and provides judgment especially with the current complexity of current virus problems. I have sought her advice on borough developments such as the diverters that saved some neighborhoods from uncontrollable traffic related to university events. Consequently, I strongly recommend voting for her election to serve and perhaps again lead the Borough Council.