Published: April 13, 2008 11:26 pm            

Crowded field seeks 69th district seat

SOMERSET — Since 1981, only two men have represented the southern two-thirds of Somerset County in the state House: Democrat William Lloyd and Republican Bob Bastian.

Now, unlike in the past, when Bastian unquestionably was Lloyd’s heir apparent, there is no clear frontrunner in the race for the 69th district.

Five Republicans and two Democrats are seeking their party nominations in the April 22 primary to replace Bastian, who is retiring at the end of the year.

“I’ve always had an interest in politics, but I never remember any more than two or three candidates,” Bastian said. “My comment to all of these guys has been whoever works the hardest wins. I still think that’s going to be the case.”

The competition is especially intense on the Republican ticket, where Joe Betta of Somerset, Mike Brendle of Lincoln Township, John Ferko of Shanksville, Carl Metzgar of Allegheny Township and Ed Sroka of Jefferson Township are vying for the nomination. In the Democratic race, Stephen Smerbeck of Somerset and Ken Warnick of Meyersdale are facing off for the nomination.

“The job as state representative is far more important and will have a greater impact on people here than any other race on the ballot, including president,” said Metzgar, 26, a Somerset lawyer.

All of the candidates have had a chance to express their platforms at a series of public forums, but how that will translate on election night remains as uncertain as the Democratic race for president.

Betta, 70, a retired Marine, has described the culture in Harrisburg as a “cycle of madness.”

After retiring in 1995 following a 35-year career with the Marines, Betta was director of financial investigations for the Florida Department of Banking and Finance for five years and inspector general for Florida’s Department of Children and Families for three more.

“The problem we have is career politicians,” he said. “Their sole objective is to link up with special interests and prepare for re-elections. ... I’m worried about corruption in government. I’m not worried about what’s in it for me.”

Brendle, 56, is owner of Buffer Creek Sporting Clays and a former poultry farmer. He says he’s the only candidate with a lifetime of experience in Somerset County.

Brendle has said he wants to bring more family-sustaining jobs to the county, make the state more business friendly, promote growth while maintaining the area’s scenic beauty, reform property taxes and increase the fight against drugs.

“We have seven men running for one office. We’re all interviewing for a job,” Brendle said. “It’s our job to convince you, the voters of the district, why we feel we’re the best candidate.”

Ferko, 39, a respiratory therapist in Somerset, came out of nowhere to narrowly lose the election for Somerset County commissioner last fall.

“That was a wonderful opportunity I had to visit with the residents of this district,” Ferko said.

Ferko is running on a platform of “Common sense, common goals, common values.” He said the key for any freshmen lawmaker will be to forge partnerships in Harrisburg.

“The first thing you have to do is build relationships with other legislators,” Ferko said.

Metzgar is touting his youth and legal background.

“I’m young – that means youth, new blood, new ideas,” he said. “It’s backed up with a (law) degree from Duquesne and life lessons from growing up on a farm outside Berlin.”

Sroka, 50, is a construction company owner with a background in local politics. He says dealing with families and employees on a regular basis gives him keen insight into what’s important.

“You get to see how fuel prices affect them, and change plans for their lives,” Sroka said.

Sroka, president of Somerset County Builders Association, says economic development is the key issue.

But to accomplish those goals, “you have to be an aggressive listener,” he said. “You have to be able to develop relationships as quickly as you possibly can. Without those relationships, nothing will be accomplished.”

Smerbeck, 49, teaches English at Meyersdale Area High School. He said a priority is education and making sure the district can offer “21st century” jobs for graduates.

“Two years ago, a gust blew through Harrisburg. A strong gust, and a sign of things to come,” Smerbeck said. “I see a second wave arriving in Harrisburg this fall, and I want to be a part of that.”

Warnick, 64, is director of student services for Allegany College of Maryland’s campuses in Somerset and Bedford and a former guidance counselor at Meyersdale High School.

He said his role at the community college has introduced him to the political process in Harrisburg.

“It’s given me an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with commissioners in both (Somerset and Bedford) counties, state senators, state reps, Chamber of Commerce and economic development leaders,” Warnick said.

“I have found that we as citizens can do much more than we ever thought to provoke change in our government.”

        

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