Monroe County Commissioner

(Vote for not more than Two)Term: 4 yearsJob description: Three county commissioners (no more than two elected from the same party) supervise voter registration and elections, assessment of real estate property, human services, veteran affairs, juvenile detention facilities and prisons, and land use planning.They can establish housing and redevelopment authorities and conduct community development programs. They maintain homes for the aged and may support libraries and community tax rates and adopt budgets for county offices and local Court of Common Pleas.Question: What do you consider the most serious problem in Monroe County and how would you propose solving it?DEMOCRATICJohn D. ChristyStroudsburgEducation: Gannon University BA, political science, AS business administrationOccupation: OM Christy Inc., owner, construction consulting company,Qualifications: RKR Hess construction observer, Shawnee Development Construction Manager, Stroud Township Planning, Monroe County Railroad Authority, Shawnee Fire Company 1988 to present. Married Dr. Judy Magann; Owen, 14; Molly, 12; Monroe County resident 29 years.Answer to question: In construction you keep your eye on the end result, but to keep an open mind and an open ear so that you can achieve your goal. I've learned to ask questions, and not to be afraid of what you will learn. We need to balance the needs of economic development, while keeping a vigil protecting the environment. Working here I've learned the people of Monroe County are its most valuable resource and its future.DEMOCRATICAlan L. EverettHamilton TownshipDOB: 1/18/1955Education: Stroudsburg High SchoolNo response to question.REPUBLICANJohn R. MoyerSmithfield TownshipDOB: 2/14/1947Education: 1968 Bloomsburg State University, BS; 1970 Pennsylvania State University, M.Ed.; 1974 Pennsylvania State, Ph.D.Occupation: Chairman, Monroe County Board of CommissionersQualifications: Monroe County Commissioner 2012 to present; homeowner property manager, 25 years.Answer to question: The most serious problem facing Monroe County is the high property tax burden placed on our citizens. Our state representatives and senator should be pressured to correct the unfair school funding formula of the last 20 years. Next we must elect fiscally conservative leaders at the school, municipal and county level. Finally, we need to attract new businesses and encourage those that are here to expand thereby reducing the property taxes required of private citizens.REPUBLICANCharles A. GarrisSmithfield TownshipEducation: East Stroudsburg High School; USAF 1956-60; ESU, BS in education, 1964Occupation: Real Estate Rentals; Monroe County CommissionerQualifications: Brodhead Creek Regional Authority, 2006-present; Smithfield Township Sewer Authority 2007-11; Southeast Monroe County Regional Sewer Authority Chairman, 1980-81; mayor of East Stroudsburg 1994-97; East Stroudsburg Borough Council 1985-89; Monroe County Control Center Board 1988-91; East Stroudsburg Planning and Zoning 1975-85; Pocono Medical Center, board of directors, 1983-92; PMC board chairman, 1988-92; Pocono Health Systems board chairman, 1992-95; Patterson Kelley Company, manager, Heat Transfer Division, 1964-84; Charles A. Garris Manufacturers, representative, 1985-2011.No response to question.Courtesy of League of Women Voters of Monroe County.