Robeson Township’s primary election race on May 16 will see five Republican candidates face off for two nominations on the township’s five-member board of supervisors.
One seat is for a six-year term, and the other is for a two-year term.
Supervisors are paid $50 per meeting they attend, and there typically are two meetings a month.
The candidates were asked to respond to the following questions:
Question 1: Why are you the best candidate for this position?
Question 2: What is the most pressing issue facing Robeson Township and how would you address it?
Incumbents are denoted with an asterisk.
Six-year and two-year term candidates
Scott L. Gullo
Age: 38
Occupation: Shop manager at Empire Group, Reading
Website: Scott Gullo for Robeson Township Supervisor
Response 1: I have been a resident of Robeson Township for 25+ years. I own one home and have no interests other than quality of life and a future for my family and my neighbors. The board has had minimal turnover the last 20 years with a lot of repeat supervisors, or those who leave and come back between terms, with a majority having business or real estate interests in the township. With my extensive management background and unbiased approach, I will provide a breath of fresh air and strive to improve the future of Robeson Township. The residents are the taxpayers that keep our township moving forward. The supervisors are here to work for them, not the other way around. I will manage as a resident, for the residents, period.
Response 2: The most pressing issue I see is lack of available funds for many of our departments, mainly our road crew department and parks and recs. Instead of looking at raising the mills for our residents in an already inflated economy and putting more stress on them, we should look elsewhere for funding and utilize any and all grants we are eligible for, something I feel we don’t explore enough now. Whether it is new equipment for our already limping road crew or enhancements to our beautiful parks in the township, it should be a focus to prevent tax increases and provide our residents with beautiful places to visit and smooth roads to drive on. The easy way out usually leads right back in. It’s time to change how we approach these issues.
Chris Rothermel
Age: 50
Occupation: Captain, criminal investigations, Reading Police Department
Website: None
Response 1: I believe I’m the best candidate for the job because I’ve worked within local government for 25 years. My supervisory experience has helped me understand all aspects of local government from financing and budget to purchasing and of course, an understanding of why and how the police department works in Robeson Township.
Response 2: I think in any township, funding and budget are the principal interests. How we spend and is that in the best interests of the residents. The township is sound and there are proposals for developments which will provide growth. I was discouraged to find out that during COVID, the township paid every full- and part-time employee $5,000. Surely that could have been put back into the infrastructure for the township as a whole, instead of some. As to how to address, I would only be one voice. A vote of the board would still make final decisions. The only way to move forward is compromise and working together.
Two-year term candidates
*Harold W. Steve Jr.
Age: 66
Occupation: Emergency services educator and business owner
Website: None
Response 1: I previously served as a township supervisor for six years and was recently appointed by the court to serve as supervisor until this election. I have been very active in the township government, serving on the Robeson Township Municipal Authority for more than 10 years as well as the Geigertown Area Joint Authority for 10 years, including serving as chairman for the last 5. I have a good working relationship with the multiple other board members in my capacity as supervisor as well as when I was off the board serving on both municipal authorities. I have experience in emergency management, contract negotiations and a good understanding of government regulations.
Response 2: Finding a balance between new government regulations and projects that we are required to complete as part of an unfunded mandate. In addition, we have more road, bridge and sewer projects than we have capitol for. We also have a problem recruiting and retaining volunteers for positions in not only municipal board positions but in the fire and emergency services as well.
Six-year term candidates
Nicholas Rapak
Age: 43
Occupation: Retired, formerly in construction/mechanical industry
Website: None
Response 1: I want the opportunity to serve the hard-working citizens of our community for current and future generations while honoring past generations. My father, Norman Rapak, has also served as a Robeson Township supervisor. I believe that having an active role in local government is important to preserve our way of life. As a supervisor, I would have open ears to residents and their concerns to assure that Robeson Township remains a great and safe place to live and raise a family.
Response 2: I, like many others, don’t like sudden changes, but I know that without keeping up with the times, you get left behind. While planning for growth in the township, it is also equally important to remember our roots and preserve our agricultural land within the township. Road maintenance, park maintenance, outdoor recreation and public safety are big concerns of mine. I would like to see the township work closer together with our volunteer emergency services as well as our law enforcement that serve our great township. I feel we need more things such as outdoor recreation activities and community events that benefit the adults and kids in our community, all while bringing the people in our community closer together.
Galen L. Brown
No response.
Source: Berkshire mont
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