Somerset County

GOP Candidates 2015Front from left: Rose Svonvec-Clerk of Courts, Sharon Ackerman-Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans Court, Patty Peifer-Recorder of Deeds

2nd Row: Scott Bittner-Court of Common Pleas, James T. Yoder-County Commissioner, Judge Gregory Geary-Court of Common PleasBack Row: Jerry Lyons-County Auditor, Brad Cramer-Sheriff, Gerald Walker-County Commissioner, JoAnne Walls-County Auditor

Paid for by Somerset County Republican Committee, P. O. Box 401, Somerset, PA 15501.

Scott P. Bittner has been practicing with the law firm of Fike, Cascio & Boose for the last eighteen (18) years. He is a member of the Somerset County Bar Association and the American Bar Association and has handled and tried all types of cases that come before the Courts of Somerset County. He also currently represents Conemaugh Area School District and several local townships and municipal authorities, including Shade, Jenner, Lincoln, Jennerstown, Boswell and Berlin. In his candidacy for Court of Common Pleas Judge in Somerset County, Scott has been endorsed by Somerset’s Sheridan Caton Memorial Lodge No. 98, Fraternal Order of Police.

Born and raised in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, Scott is the second of five children. While attending North Star High School, he excelled in academics and sports, and served as a volunteer firefighter with the Jennerstown Volunteer Fire Department. He is no stranger to hard work. In high school and college, he worked on a farm, in a coal mine, and in a lumber mill. He knows Somerset County, and he understands Somerset County.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), he attended and graduated from Duquesne University School

of Law in Pittsburgh. While at Duquesne, he worked fulltime as a law clerk at two different Pittsburgh law firms. Despite receiving offers from several top law firms in Pittsburgh, Scott chose to return to Somerset County and establish his legal career working in the law firm of Fike, Cascio and Boose.

Scott and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 18 years. They live in Conemaugh Township with their two children, Gracyn and Zolina. In addition to being a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Scott is actively involved in the community. He serves on the boards of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and Sonrise Counseling Ministries. Additionally, he is a member of the Somerset County Conservancy and the Historical and Genealogical Society of Somerset County. As an avid outdoorsman, Scott also is a member of the Jenner Rod and Gun Club, Jenner Community Sportsmen Club, New Baltimore Sportsman’s Club, Ferndale Sportsmen’s Club, St. Clair Tremont Trap & Field Club and the Boswell Athletic and Sportsmen’s Association.

Campaign contributions may be made to “The People for Bittner”, and mailed to 2825 Carpenters Park Rd., Davidsville, PA 15928.

James T. Yoder is married to the former Ann Custer of Somerset and is the son of Vernon (Buddy) and Clara Yoder. His love of Somerset County is evident, as he has lived in Lincoln Township his entire life. Being a very community-minded individual, “No” is not an answer he gives when asked to serve. He has been privileged to work alongside his fellow Somerset County friends and family in holding numerous church and civic organization positions as follows:

• Member of Somerset Church of the Brethren (Deacon-Gifts Discernment-Finance)• Chairman of the Somerset County Republican Party• Member of Somerset County Fair Board• Board Member of the Somerset County 4-H Development Fund• Past Member of the Somerset County Extension Board

• 20-Year Member of Somerset County Farm Bureau (Membership Committee)

• Member of Kingwood Lodge I.O.O.F.• Founding Member of the Somerset County Pork Producers• Past President of the Somerset County Association of Township Officials• Member of Wheelers ‘n Dealers Square Dance Club• Member of Pheasants Forever• Member of National Wild Turkey Federation• Member of Jenner Rod & Gun Club, Greater Ferndale Sportsmen’s Club, and Bakersville/Trent Rod & Gun ClubWith a thorough understanding of local government supporting his Commissioner candidacy, James T. is in

his 12th year as Lincoln Township Supervisor, while serving his 9th year as Chairman of the Board. In these 12 years, his work contacts have included government agencies, the local school district, many mining companies and engineers, the current and previous Board of County Commissioners, and last but not least—the citizens of Lincoln Township. This last group is extremely important to him. He states, “Managing conflict is what I have done weekly, if not daily in these 12 years. Sometimes things can be solved easily; sometimes with some creativity; other times things can’t be solved and you have to be honest with people and let them know that.”

Dealing with budgets in various forms is another way in which his common sense approach has been put to

the test, from working with a limited Township budget and applying the most cost-saving methods, to being on Finance Commission at church and dealing with dilemmas. This experience also does not allow him to have lofty “pie in the sky” ideas that all sorts of things can be cut. State and federal governments mandate many things by which a local official must abide, but there are creative things that can be done to lessen the burden of these mandates.

A major achievement during his career as Supervisor are the Multi-Township Inter-municipal Agreements that he helped to orchestrate, resulting in pooled resources to achieve more work accomplished with less expenditures for large machinery and utilizing a sharing of equipment and manpower between townships.

His local government experience outlined above will be extremely beneficial when applied at the County level. Goals that James T. wants to pursue as Commissioner include the following:

- Be a cheerleader for Somerset County. Try to attend any business expos or seek professional contacts that could bring industry into our empty industrial parks.

- Investigate regulations that may hinder the operations of our current businesses housed in the county and help make it more productive for these businesses to remain.

- Develop the use of Que pipeline water, by promoting use of this water by new businesses in their production or possibly following through on the idea of a bottling plant.

- Delve into ways in which our agricultural community could grow and prosper. - Look into problems and seek fiscally sound answers at the Somerset County Jail.- Change the time of the Commissioners Meetings in order to have more input from the public. Have an open-

door policy involving interaction with taxpaying constituents.- Try to do more with less by running the County efficiently and conservatively.- Bring a spirit of cooperation to the Commissioners’ office.- Be honest and not make hollow promises that cannot be kept.Graduating from Somerset Area High School in 1993 and attending Frostburg State University, he has also held

the positions of Milk Technician for DHIA; self-employed dairy farmer; PA DOT Winter Maintenance Clerk; well tender for RJB Well Services; Lincoln Township Supervisor and Roadmaster from 2004 to the present-Chairman of the Board 2007 to present.

Your vote on November 3rd to elect James T. Yoder to the position of Somerset County Commissioner will be sincerely appreciated by the candidate!

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

COMMISSIONER

SCOTT P. BITTNER, ESQ.

GREGORY GEARY

JAMES T. YODER

COURT OF COMMON PLEASElected to the Court of Common Pleas in 2005, Judge Geary is running

for retention for a second ten-year term. Since 2006, Judge Geary has served as the Court’s Family Law Administrative Judge, primarily presiding over cases involving divorce, child custody, child dependency, support and domestic violence. Prior to his election in 2005, Judge Geary served as a Somerset County assistant district attorney, solicitor for Somerset County

Children and Youth Services, and on active duty as an officer in the United States Navy and United States Army Reserve. Judge Geary graduated the University of Pittsburgh with bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Philosophy, and earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. He lives in Somerset with his two children and wife, Stacy (Haer) Geary.

Jerry Lyons is a life long resident of Somerset Township. He has served as Somerset County Auditor since 2003 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy.

Lyons says it’s important to have someone in the Somerset County Auditor’s Office with experience. Working with the many different bookkeeping systems in all the offices requires knowledge of how things are done. It’s only through that knowledge and experience that inconsistencies can be detected which could possibly point to fraud. In addition, there are various annual financial reports that need to be compiled. Lyons said he has the experience to assemble those reports and see that they are filed in a timely manner.

During his years of service, he says there have been great strides in improving the efficiency of the Auditor’s Office. He has worked hard to assure the financial transactions of the County are handled accurately and without fraud.

Lyons holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a Master’s degree from Point Park University in Pittsburgh.

He said over recent years, the office has increased the number of audits done to include all tax collectors of Somerset County. We also do monthly reviews of the County’s District Magistrate offices and all the Row Offices of the County. There are annual audits of such other areas as the County’s Hazardous Materials Account, General Fund, Somerset County Jail Commissary and Inmates Cash Account.

Since being a Somerset County Auditor is a part time position, Lyons also works with the Somerset Area School District as a substitute teacher.

His extensive community involvement includes Recording Secretary and Past President of Somerset Volunteer Fire Department, Past District Deputy of the Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, Past President of the Somerset County Shrine Club, Past Presiding Officer of the Valley of Altoona Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, Past Treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Somerset, current member of the County’s Local Emergency Planning Council, and past council member of the County’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

I became a resident of Somerset County 35 years ago when I married my husband, Stanton Walls. I am the mother of three sons: Eugene, Terry and Jerry Jones. I am also , step-mother to my husband’s five children. As a member of Rummel Church of the Brethren, I sing in the choir and serve as an usher, greeter, and past board member.

As an adult student, I studied advanced accounting at Mount Aloysius College graduating Magnum Cum Laude in 1991 with a degree in Business Management. After graduation, I worked in the private sector at an insurance agency performing all bookkeeping functions, including financial reporting.

In 1998, I was hired by the Area Agency on Aging as a clerk typist. I was promoted the following year to Office Manager at the Center for Life, located in the Windber Hospital, where I set up and managed the newly formed satellite office for the Aging Care Management Staff. In 2001, I returned to the Somerset Office where I was promoted to Fiscal Technician. In that position I was responsible for the billing of in-home services for seniors, receiving and depositing all incoming monies, verifying and paying of all bills as well as doing financial reporting to the state to secure funding for the agency.

I transferred to the County Commissioner’s Office in 2007 to fill the vacant Accounts Payable position. In this position, I was responsible for the processing of over 1,200 invoices per month with an annual budget of over 42 million dollars. My duties included verifying the accuracy of each submitted expense and the necessary approval from the departments for payment of expenditures following county procedures, making sure that the processing of payments was done in a timely manner. During my tenure, I worked under 5 different County Commissioners.

Being a detailed oriented person, I set up and maintained accurate files that could be easily accessed at both Area Agency on Aging and the County Commissioner’s Office. I assisted the County Auditors and the Independent Auditors in the retrieval of information needed during annual audits. This information was inspected for accuracy and proper documentation of county spending.

In 2013, I retired from county government with 15 years of service where I proved my honesty and integrity. With my qualifications and experience in county procedures, I feel I would be an asset to the tax payers of Somerset County by monitoring county spending in the position of County Auditor.

JERRY LYONS

JOANNE WALLS

AUDITOR

AUDITOR

GERALD WALKER

Rose Svonavec, Somerset County’s Clerk of Courts is running for her second term in that office. The Clerk of Courts Office works closely with other offices including the Common Pleas Judges, Magisterial Judges, District Attorney, Prothonotary, Probation ( Adult and Juvenile), Sheriff’s Office and Register of Wills, and the Microfilm Department, County Treasurer, and Auditors as well as the county’s municipal Police Departments. The Clerk of Courts Office is also responsible for collecting fines, costs and restitution with a central goal of restoring restitution to crime victims. The office mails out over 200 restitution checks every month.

Ms. Svonavec is a graduate of Somerset Area High School and received an Associates Degree Certification as a Medical Lab Technician from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She successfully completed the Minor Judiciary Course at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. Rose is married to Joe Svonavec, Jr. and they reside in Milford Township. They have 4 children: Danielle, a music teacher, who lives in Goshen,

Indiana, with her husband, Jon and three daughters, Annelise, Julia, and Katrin. Jenna, a fourth grade teacher living in Rockwood married to Adam Sembower with sons, Paul and Jack. Breigh, who lives in Richland and teaches sixth grade English in Somerset, and Jordan who lives in Milford Twp. and works as a Assistant Project Manager for Wheeler Bros. Inc.

Rose is a member of St. Peters Catholic Church and choir, a mountain dulcimer group, “Chords of Praise”, Confluence Fiddleheads, and with her husband, Joe volunteers at many musical functions throughout the county. Also, Rose is a member of the Somerset County Salute to Women Committee and the County Clippers Fitness Team. Her hobbies include music, sewing and bowling.

The Clerk of Courts Office staff is committed to treating everyone who comes into or calls the office with patience and courtesy. “ I am proud of my staff and would like the opportunity to continue working with them and serving Somerset County as the Clerk of Courts.”ROSE SVONAVEC

CLERK OF COURTS

COMMISSIONERI am a candidate for Somerset County Commissioner. I am a life-long resident

of Somerset County. Born and raised in Stonycreek Township. I grew up on my grandparents dairy farm and also helped my father with his mobile feed grinding business.

I graduated from Shanksville-Stonycreek High School and Somerset Vocational Technical School in 1982. After graduation I worked in the dairy industry for 15 years. Then the opportunity to work for Stonycreek Township became available. I worked as an employee for 4 years prior to becoming a supervisor. An elected position I currently hold and have held for the last 14 years.

I serve on several boards-Executive Member for the Republican Committee,

Vice President of County Co-Op, Vice President of County Association, Chairman of the Board of Stonycreek Township Supervisors, Sargent of Arms State Association of Township Officials, Member of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Glade Cemetery Association. I also belong to several clubs- Mountain Field and Stream Club, New Baltimore Sportsmen Club, Jenner Rod and Gun Club, and Jamestown Rod and Gun Club. I am a member of Unity United Church of Christ.

My wife (Kim) and I have been married for 31 years. We have two daughters and two grandchildren.

I would like to lead Somerset County into the future for all of our families, yours and mine.

Patricia A. Peifer was appointed as Somerset County Recorder of Deeds in November 2013. Mrs. Peifer took over as Acting Recorder due to the untimely passing of Recorder Lorraine Barron after a two-year battle with cancer. Governor Corbett nominated her for the appointment on January 30, 2014, which was confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate on May 6, 2014. Mrs. Peifer has worked in the Recorder of Deeds Office since 2001, starting out as an Accounting Clerk, and then being named Second Deputy by retired Recorder Patricia A. Brant in 2003. She went on to be named First Deputy in 2011 by Lorraine Barron.

“I believe my 14 years of experience in public service and office administration have prepared me well to serve the citizens of Somerset County. I am honored and humbled to serve the remainder of Lorraine’s term and am thankful for all the knowledge I have gained over the years from my mentors Pat Brant and Lorraine Barron. It was a pleasure to have served under both of them, and I am happy to continue the work that they have both started. I feel that I will be qualified, professional and dedicated to continue to serve as Somerset County’s Recorder of Deeds for years to come. ”

Patricia oversees an office that in 2014 collected revenues of $3,579,000.00 and brought in $754,000.00 in real estate transfer tax. Of that transfer tax, 1% is paid to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and 1% stays in Somerset County and is divided among local Townships, Boroughs and School Districts.

“My staff and I are very dedicated to the office and take great pride in our

customer service. The office maintains a good working relationship with the local attorneys, abstractors and surveyors. We are always working on cross-training staff members to ensure the office is running efficiently and smoothly at all times.” The office has been working on a project to index older images and is doing it in-house so there is no extra cost to the taxpayers. “We realize the importance of accurately preserving documents, but also keeping up with technology by having more available on the computer and website. In 2016, I plan to implement e-recording, which will be at no cost to the county, but will be another efficient and safe way of recording.”

“I have a deep feeling of commitment towards the Recorder’s Office and I truly care what people think about our staff and our customer service. I feel that we are here to be of public service above all else and I strive for all of our customers to be treated with professionalism and respect. Sometimes people just need a listening ear, and my door is always open to sit and listen. I find that helping people and volunteering in the community is a very rewarding experience.”

Mrs. Peifer and her husband Robert who is a Boilermaker with the local 154 in Pittsburgh reside in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County along with their 2 children. They attend the Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship.

“I would greatly appreciate your support on November 3rd to elect me for a full term as your Recorder of Deeds.” Please remember to “KEEP EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR YOU!”

Sharon K. Ackerman was first elected to serve as Somerset County Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans’ Court in November 2003. As Register and Clerk, she is committed to providing timely service in a compassionate manner, to the citizens of Somerset County.

Sharon is secretary of the Registers of Wills and Clerks of Orphans’ Court Association of Pennsylvania. She served as president of the Registers and Clerks Association from July 2012 to July 2013. She has served on its Legislative committee and executive board since 2004.

Sharon is past president of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce; treasurer of the Meyersdale Area Merchants’ Association; trustee of the Meyersdale Public Library; secretary of Meyersdale Area Union Cemetery, Inc., co-chairman of Laurel Highlands Council, Salute to Women Luncheon

Committee; secretary of the Somerset County Records Improvement Committee; Somerset County Area Agency on Aging, Advisory Council and Somerset County Parks and Recreation Board of Directors; member of Meyersdale Elks Lodge No. 1951; and a graduate of the Anne B. Anstine, Excellence in Public Service Series, Class of 2006.

Sharon was named “Individual of the Year” in 2012 by the Meyersdale Area Merchants’ Association in recognition of her leadership and community service.

Sharon and her husband Dan, reside in Berkley’s Mills. They are the proud parents of TSgt. Daniel S. Ackerman, U. S. Air Force, and Brock R. Ackerman, a student of Meyersdale Area School District and Somerset County Technology Center.

Brad was born in Somerset County and was raised in New Centerville by his parents, Dale and Dolores Cramer. He grew up working for his father in the auto repair and towing business while he attended Rockwood Area Schools. His family was heavily involved in the New Centerville Fire Company and he grew up with a sense of community service and a commitment to public safety.

He graduated with honors from Rockwood Area High School and then graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned a bachelors degree in Criminology,

After college graduation, he started working as a full time police officer for the Somerset Police Department. He received his municipal police training at the PA State Police Academy, Southwest Training Center, where he graduated with honors. He is also a graduate of the PA Chiefs of Police - Command Institute for Police Executives.

During his time as a police officer, he served as a police firearms instructor and tactical police handgun instructor. He has not only trained police officers but also has many years training civilians in the proper use and safe handling of firearms.

In 1997, Brad was appointed Chief of Police of the Somerset Police Department and shortly thereafter instituted a number of improvements and technology upgrades for the department. He strived to develop and adopt programs

promoting the Community Oriented Policing philosophy. Some of the programs instituted were; the D.A.R.E program in Somerset schools, the first police bike patrol unit in Somerset County, and also the first Citizens Police Academy in the county. Among his goals as Chief was to have his department become more involved with the citizens and the community, to establish closer ties with the people, organizations and businesses of Somerset Borough.

In 2004, Brad retired from the Somerset Police Department after 30 years of honored service. In 2005, he started working as a police officer for the Conemaugh Township Police Department. In 2009, he joined the Somerset County Sheriffs Office as a deputy sheriff and after 6 years, he is still working as a deputy sheriff. He is now starting into his 40th year in law enforcement in Somerset County.

As Somerset County Sheriff, he will bring many years of experience in law enforcement and administrative knowledge to the Office of Sheriff.

His belief is that our safety and security in Somerset County is more important now, than it has ever been. He also believes that the people, their property and their rights need the protection of a strong county sheriff.

“Brad Cramer for Sheriff Committee”, P.O. Box 974, Somerset, PA 15501 Committee Chairman-- William “Bill” Roush

PATRICIA A. PEIFER

SHARON K. ACKERMAN

BRAD CRAMER

RECORDER OF DEEDS

REGISTER OF WILLS

HIGH SHERIFF