Letters: Much at stake in ‘off-year’ election; Treasurer has knowledge, experience

Much at stake in ‘off-year’ election

This year’s “off-year” election has huge implications for our community and the 2024 national election. It’s essential to vote now! Three key races will determine access in future elections, reproductive rights, educational integrity, and the overall quality of our lives.

What’s at stake in Pennsylvania’s State Supreme Court race? Everything from election policy to abortion rights. Democrat Dan McCaffery, currently a judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, is endorsed by Planned Parenthood, a slew of union and trade organizations and the Sierra Club. In contrast, the Republican candidate is endorsed by organizations opposing abortion access, and said that no-excuse mail ballots are “very bad for our commonwealth” and has raised the majority of her campaign funds ($2.7 million) from a PAC primarily funded by Jeff Yass, a conservative billionaire.

Centre County Commissioners determine many aspects of daily life. Mark Higgins and Amber Concepcion have worked tirelessly to enhance mental health services, affordable housing, economic development, broadband services and sustainable energy initiatives. They’ve earned our support and should continue as our county commissioners. Higgins and Concepcion are responsible for ensuring election integrity — and are committed to secure and accurate vote counting as well as broad participation, which includes access to ballot drop boxes.

When it comes to the State College school board, the Slate for State candidates — Bader, Brandt, Demo, Kolbe and Miller — prioritize academic success for all, trust and transparency, and fiscal stewardship.

Don’t take anything for granted. Vote on Nov. 7 for candidates who will preserve democratic values.

Treasurer has knowledge, experience

Centre County voters, regardless of party affiliation, would do well to reelect Colleen Kennedy as county treasurer on Nov. 7. Originally elected in 2019, she has served selflessly with intelligence, honesty and a strong sense of civic responsibility. Unlike her opponent, Kennedy possessed the appropriate knowledge and experience long before deciding to run for this position, and she devoted the interim between election and assuming office to the necessary training for Day One of her term. Why would Centre County voters settle for anything less? Would we choose a family dentist who lacked the appropriate background and credentials?

I have known Colleen Kennedy for 12 years and can attest that she is a person of the highest integrity and strongest ethical values. Residents are fortunate that she has agreed to run for a second term. She is worthy of our votes.

Solving issues together

My name is Evan Myers, and I would be honored by your vote for State College Borough Council Nov. 7.

State College faces issues that working together we can solve. Affording a home or an apartment in State College can be difficult, we need more housing that is inclusionary and affordable. As we work on a thorough review of zoning codes, we need to figure out creative ways to provide affordable business space and ways to increase our tax base without burdening homeowners. I have always been an advocate for more public input to avoid problems like the eminent domain situation at the Brewery. I have business and budgeting experience, but government is not a business, it needs to be efficient, but its functions are to serve the needs of its residents, provide services, a safe environment and help ensure justice. We can combat climate change locally by expanding bicycle and pedestrian connections and increasing incentives for green buildings.

Recently hate filled messages have been left in some neighborhoods, so it is important that we continue to expand on our initiatives to make State College a welcoming and inclusive community that protects and defends the rights of all people, while engaging Penn State and students. Governor Shapiro has trusted me with several appointments, and I have represented the people of State College as Chair of the Planning Commission and Council President. I have worked on solutions to the issues we face.

I ask for you vote and importantly your help.

Explanation needed for finance claims

I have always had a curiosity about politician’s funding and finances. My latest foray centered on Justin Behrens, who is running for Centre County Treasurer. Here’s what I found. In a Facebook post on Oct. 2, Mr. Behrens — who is recently arrived in Centre County — claimed to have increased revenues at his Keystone Mission from $450,000 to $2.2 million annually. He began his work with Keystone Mission on May 23, 2019 and filed four federal tax returns for the organization for fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. I’ll give his website points for transparency with IRS tax returns, but I can not see where he has accomplished this effort. I looked at “total revenues” and the total revenue numbers reported to the IRS actually went down, not up from 2019 to 2020, and again from 2020 to 2021. Behrens attempts to portray himself as a fiscal leader but instead he does need to further explain himself. Mr Behrens has also expressed his support for privatizing pensions. I can’t think of a more insecure or irresponsible policy.

As for this upcoming election, I’ve made my choice. Colleen Kennedy for county treasurer.

Colleen has done an excellent job these last several years correcting mistakes of the previous treasurer and modernizing our county treasury office. She does her homework and pays our county bills. The County Treasury also serves on a pension board and she’s there to protect the financial future for our citizens.

Vote Nov. 7.