The Derrick - "House candidates express views at forum"

News Article

By KAREN CLARK

Nine of the 12 candidates vying for the 5th District seat in the U.S. Congress participated in a forum Wednesday morning at the Franklin VFW as part of the monthly Venango County Veterans Coalition meeting.

The all-male panel was given four minutes each to address one or more of seven issues of importance to the group of more than 60 veterans turning out for the event.

Attendance for the event was down slightly from the anticipated turnout due to about 30 local members of the Honor Guard attending a funeral in Grove City, according to Ed Scurry, the secretary of the Veterans Coalition.

There are nine Republicans and three Democrats who will be on the April 22 ballots to replace Republican Congressman John Peterson who abruptly announced in January he would not seek re-election to a seventh term. The district encompasses all or parts of 17 counties, including all of Clarion and Forest and most of Venango.

Candidates include: Bill Cahir (D) of Bellefonte, Mark B. McCracken (D) of Clearfield, Richard Vilello (D) of Lock Haven, Glen Thompson (R) of Centre County, Derek Walker (R) of Clearfield, Lou Radkowski (R) of St. Marys, Jeffrey J. Stroehmann (R) of Woodward, Keith Richardson (R) of Clarion, John Stroup (R) of Clarion, Chris Exarchos (R) of College Township and Matt Shaner (R) of Centre County, Jon T. Krupa (R) of Pine Township.

Krupa and Shaner responded in advance they would not be able to accept the invitation. The Coalition received no reply from Radowski, Scurry said.

Scurry acted as host for the event, setting the timing rules in place and notifying each candidate of issues of interest including: Iraq, mandatory funding of the Veterans Administration, concurrent receipt, Social Security, use of Special Operation forces against terrorists, attorneys participating in Veteran appeal proceedings, and denial of Agent Orange benefits to brown water Navy and Marine Vietnam veterans.

Although the timing was short, and many of the political hopefuls found themselves in mid-sentence as the brief minutes expired, they played to the crowd of veterans, pledging support for medical benefits and returning soldiers.

Cahir, 39, and a Marine Corp veteran who served two tours in Iraq, was the first to speak. He told the crowd he supports stabilizing Iraq and then bringing the U.S. forces home and taking care of veterans as they return.

Next up was Lock Haven business owner and mayor Vilello.

"It's time we start bring our guys home. It is time for the Iraqis people to take charge of their own country, their own government and their own future in the world community. It is time to bring our soldiers home as heroes, they have accomplished their mission," he said.

McCracken, a Clearfield County commissioner and 10-year school board veteran, also said he supported bringing the troops home.

"They're over there doing their job, protecting our country and our way of life. The least we can do is welcome them back and make sure they have the support they need to return to civilian life and for any medical issues including mental stress. ... I also support an effort for the Veterans Administration to sub-contract with local hospitals to provide close-to-home care for those who may not be healthy enough to travel," McCracken said.

Stroehmann, whose large custom-painted campaign bus was prominently displayed in the front parking lot of the VFW, began his message by quoting scripture in memory of local fallen soldier Jonathan Kephart.

"I never had a privilege to serve, but I have a privilege and duty to look out for those who have served. ... Give the troops the honor of finishing the job they started," Stroehmann said.

Walker said, if elected, he will make sure the men and women in the armed forces receive the funding and support needed to win the war on terror.

"The cost of losing is a lot greater than the cost of winning," he said.

Scientist and restaurateur Exarchos said once a workable and secure government with institutions than can protect the health and safety of its citizens in Iraq is established, the U.S. should depart.

"Rightly or wrongly we invaded Iraq, toppled their government, and disbanded their security forces. We now have a moral responsibility. ... Once that goal is achieved, we should leave," he said.

Thompson, a 25-year healthcare professional, said one reason he began his campaign was to do his part for his country, especially since his son was wounded in Iraq and will be departing for another tour in a little more than a week.

"I support our troops and the successes they are advancing in Iraq. As the son of a Navy veteran, the father of a purple heart wounded warrior soldier, and 25-year veteran volunteer fire fighter, and an EMT and rescue technician public service is the blood of my family," he said.

Stroup, one of two candidates from the Clarion area, said meeting the needs of the military as they face the fight against terrorism across the globe is a responsibility that Congress should never shy away from.

"As our military has implemented its new strategy in Iraq and continues to work hard on rooting out terrorism in Afghanistan, Congress should focus on meeting their needs and not needlessly arguing over proposals that would prevent our generals from doing the job Congress sent them to do in the first place," he said.

Richardson, the second Clarion County candidate and pastor of the First Baptist Church, said the armed forces deserve a debt of gratitude for protecting America.

"They deserve more than our words of praise. They deserve our complete support. They deserve full funding to complete their mission," he said.

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