Election 2023: Beaver County Commissioners candidates address voter concerns
Four candidates are seeking three four-year Beaver County Board of Commissioners seats in the Nov. 7 municipal election.
Incumbent Republicans Daniel Camp, 34, of Center Township and Jack Manning, 71, of Chippewa Township, will be on this year’s ballot alongside incumbent Democrat Tony Amadio, 72, of Center Township and Democratic newcomer Julian Taylor, 33, of Beaver Falls.
Amadio has served four terms on the board, followed by Camp’s two terms and Manning’s single four-year term. Taylor, a U.S. Navy veteran and community leader, is seeking his first term.
The Times asked each contender to share their thoughts on solutions to the challenges facing Beaver County. Here’s what they had to say.
(Responses have been lightly edited for space and clarity.)
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing Beaver County? How will you address them?
Amadio: Rebuilding the river towns as prescribed by our citizens through the Beaver County Comprehensive Plan. The board of commissioners has been, and I have been, earnest in rebuilding our river towns by rebuilding the infrastructure up and down our rivers and throughout our county’s municipalities.
Camp: I believe the biggest challenges we face as Beaver County is job creation and retention. We need to continue to address that by working with groups like the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to strengthen relationships with businesses, especially with Shell coming online.
Manning: One of our biggest challenges is our aging demographics and diminishing workforce. There is a labor shortage and more jobs than available workers, especially in critical sectors like healthcare and emergency services. We need to get better at attracting and retaining enough young families, and become more accommodating to the need for a diverse workforce. Our median age is 45 and our dependency ratio is 72.5% compared to the national average of 54%. That means we have more strain on our economy, tax base and county services to support the non-working age population. It’s a complex issue but can be addressed with strategic planning, financial resources, state and federal relationships, and a desire to collaborate regionally. We also need a more aggressive and collaborative marketing plan to highlight what a great place Beaver County is to live, work and raise a family. I’m also concerned about the challenge of a growing “trust deficit” that exists nationally and here in Beaver County. People are losing faith in local institutions, law enforcement, political parties, politicians, education, elections, and government. It’s unhealthy for these divisions to continue to grow and undermine the great work done by so many dedicated community and public servants. We must have more unity, and leverage our combined resources, if want to have positive growth and change. I pledge to continue being as accessible, transparent and present in the community as possible.
Taylor: The biggest issue facing Beaver County is a lack of “vision” for the county as a whole. We have completely abandoned any sense of manufacturing or distribution that the county once had. Our area used to lead the nation in steel, we should want to return to our roots and lead the other 66 counties in growth, economic development, and manufacturing. We will do this by building relationships with big businesses and bringing professional jobs (manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence) to our county. We are currently not using all the available resources our county has to offer. Beaver County is a unique place that is miles away from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Ohio River and the rail yard. All of these areas have been under-utilized. By maxing out our resources, we can grow Beaver County's economy and make a Beaver County for all.
Q: What is your plan to strengthen and diversify the county’s economy?
Amadio: I helped facilitate over $6.5 million of CARES funding to businesses that lost revenue due to the COVID pandemic. These funds helped our businesses, in some cases, stay operational. Together, we also facilitated almost $92 million in ARPA funding. This was done to both strengthen and diversify our economy and especially help our Beaver County businesses.
Camp: I believe to strengthen and diversify Beaver County’s economy we need a multifaceted approach. First, we need to continue to market the county and its assets, river, rail, and major roads. Second, continue to expand services for our Human Services Department (such as the new men’s homeless shelter). Third, and most importantly, continue to expand and support our emergency management services as we saw how critical they are during the Norfolk Southern derailment.
Manning: Even going back to my chamber of commerce days, I have said we need to have an economy as resilient as the people of Beaver County have been over the past several decades. We can never again put all our eggs in one basket and we have not been doing that over the last few years. Energy, manufacturing and construction are our legacy and we will always be known as the county that built America. It’s what makes us great and where the higher living wages are produced. We have an excellent labor force and building trades to anchor the economy. We are strong in ”Eds & Meds,” with our trade and technical schools, higher education institutions, workforce development, healthcare and nursing care providers. Our biggest growing segment is in leisure and hospitality, where we’re producing jobs with wages higher than the national average. Much of this is through a re-emphasis on tourism. Our farming community, farmer’s markets and agriculture production also remain a key component of the diversification. Going forward, the biggest opportunity we have is to continue to pursue more arts, entertainment, and recreational events. We have plans to do all of those and have made progress in attracting visitors from outside the county.
Taylor: Beaver County has to understand that we do not have equity amongst ZIP codes. The No. 1 thing that commissioners do is balance a budget. Like any budget, even in your house, you have top priorities and then you have what you would like to afford. When the budget tends to lean toward areas in certain ZIP codes, your budget will have deficiencies. So strengthening our underserved areas with the same funding as we serve our over-performing areas would bring the bar to a more level playing field. The budget is the lifeline of the county, and I am going to advocate for that. Providing the same equity to underserved communities will make Beaver County more equitable as a whole. Thus strengthening our economy, making it more diverse and more sustainable.
Q: Beaver County lacks a dedicated county health department, and there’s growing concern about public health. Do you share these concerns? How do you plan to address them?
Amadio: Yes, I absolutely do, and the board of commissioners worked on this concern earnestly. The end result was that surrounding counties had no interest with our proposal, and our Class IV County Charter requires multiple counties together to form a health department.
Camp: It has been a project of ours to work toward a shared health department with our neighboring counties. We have to think of an innovative way to add services without adding the burden of raising taxes on our residents in Beaver County.
Manning: I do have concerns about our ability to handle many healthcare issues related to our aging demographics and shortage of some critical care and emergency services. I was very engaged in regional efforts to explore having a county health department post-COVID, but quickly learned as a fourth-class county of the commonwealth, we cannot have our own department but could have a regional one if two or more neighboring counties would agree. While there was much discussion and cost analysis, the idea was dropped. We are fortunate to have an excellent relationship with Heritage Valley, UPMC and AHN, who provide expertise and resources when needed.
Taylor: Beaver County is a fourth-class county. When issues arise, we must follow the direction of Allegheny County’s health department. I personally share these concerns and would love to have a health department for our county. According to ACT 315 Aug. 24, 1951, county commissioners of any county may, by resolution, authorize the establishment of a single county department of health. However, I know a department of health is a huge operation and an even bigger tax burden, so I would like to put together an advisory board to weigh the pros and cons.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for this office? What sets you apart from your opponent(s)?
Amadio: I have experience in consensus building and compromise. I know how to work across the aisle. I have multi-level governmental experience and have learned how to get things done.
Camp: I see my youth as a factor as I can relate to what brings in and keeps younger populous while understanding the importance of having supportive services in place for the aging population
Manning: I have great respect for everyone who goes through the process and puts their name on the ballot. We each have a diverse set of skills and unique experiences. I believe I have demonstrated the right kind of leadership experience, competency, work ethic, stamina, accessibility, and relationship-building capability necessary to be an effective county commissioner. The feedback I get from our residents and community leaders is how I am always present, accessible, transparent and engaged in helping them solve problems. I’ll put my work ethic and problem-solving experience up against anyone.
Taylor: I bring to the table a new “vision” for Beaver County. I would like to take our county in a new direction that moves us from the status quo to a thriving community. My vision has us moving from a fourth-class to a third-class county and reaping the benefits. We have to start asking questions that put Beaver County first. Which will help us take two steps forward, not two steps backward. What sets me apart from my opponents: I am the only one who is a veteran. I served six years in the United States Navy, so I understand what service is to a community. You cannot lead if you don’t also know how to follow. When you give your life so that others can maintain freedom, you tend to understand that every person deserves respect and dignity in their life. I have watched how to lead, so I have been able to lead in many aspects. If you cannot serve, you cannot understand how to lead. I was raised that you show the same respect to the janitor as you show the president.
More: Election 2023: Beaver County's candidates for district attorney share their goals
Q: If you’re an incumbent, what do you believe are your biggest successes in this role? If not, what personal and/or professional experiences do you believe will make you most effective?
Amadio: As chairman of the Beaver County Board of Commissioners (from 2008-16), I was able to build the most up-to-date Emergency Management Services Center in Beaver County during the Great Recession.
Camp: During the last eight years, we have accomplished a lot with two different board of commissioners. While there are many success stories our residents don’t get the chance to hear, I would like to list a few:
Maintaining a positive budget after years of mismanagement.
Expanding Human Services.
Updating Emergency Management Services through equipment and financially supporting municipalities for the purchase of new radios.
Moving Beaver County forward while getting through the unprecedented times of COVID-19.
Manning: The overall steady, good governance and fiscal responsibility provided to guide the county through a global pandemic, business recession, steep rise in inflation, and a train derailment disaster. In the last four years, we have not, and are not, raising taxes. Our Moody’s Bond rating went from BBB+ to A-, indicating investor confidence in the county’s financial stability; our $335 million-plus Pension Fund has been 97-102% funded and we have invested over $100 million of state and federal funds back into local municipal infrastructure and community development. I’m most proud of solving several long-term issues. Providing affordable, reliable internet access with our broadband initiative, ensuring state-of-the-art radio equipment to 47 VFDs and 34 police departments, completing the men’s shelter; upgrading neglected parts of the courthouse, refurbishing Bradys Run recreational areas, courts and other park amenities, working with veteran groups to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the War on Terror period by providing memorial placards in multiple county locations, collaborating to bring back the Maple Syrup Festival and making Beaver County BOOM our signature event. Some of these may seem insignificant, but they collectively show our resilient nature and what makes the people of Beaver County so awesome.
Taylor: I have a different view of this county as a whole. I bring a new set of challenges that incorporates every inch of the county and the cultural differences among us. I am an advocate for Beaver County because it is the place I call home. I went to high school here, college here, served in the military, and now choose to raise my family … all here in Beaver County. As a father of three, I have a duty to make and advocate for a better Beaver County for all and for many years to come.
Q: What else should voters know about you?
Amadio: Most importantly, during my almost 16 years as a Beaver County Commissioner, I only voted for one tax increase in almost 16 years.
Camp: I was born and raised in Rochester, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a family who ran a small business for 60-plus years. I moved to Center Township in 2014 when I married my high school girlfriend Samantha (Rossi) Camp. We have been married for nine years and have two great kids Carson (7) and Capri (4).
Manning: Our two sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren all call Beaver County home. Diane and I love it here. Beaver County embraced us, and my family, nearly 25 years ago when we moved here from Virginia. My only motivation to serve as commissioner for a second term is to continue to pay back the trust, love and support of so many people and communities here who have had a profound impact on our lives. To whom much has been given, much is expected. I have no other ambition but to serve.
Taylor: Currently, I am enjoying my time as a youth football coach and baseball coach many evenings and weekends. I also reside on the board for the Beaver Falls Youth Baseball. I believe that the youth is the future of our county. So I put a lot of time and effort into these young individuals to give back to the youth. I remember all that had helped me through those formative years, so I give the same energy. I also hold many board seats around the county to advocate for a better Beaver County, one that is more inclusive and diverse. My goal here is to leave Beaver County in a better situation than what I grew up in.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Election 2023:Beaver County commissioners candidates address issues
