Monroe County's top issues: Commissioner candidates weigh in

This year's Monroe County commissioner candidates are John Christy, Sharon Laverdure, David C. Parker and Christine A. Wilkins.

Christy and Laverdure, both Democrats, are incumbents. Parker and Wilkins are Republicans.

Voters can pick two candidates, and the top three vote-getters are elected to four-year terms.

Below are the candidates' answers to questions sent by the Pocono Record. Answers appear as submitted, without edits. Christy did not respond by the deadline, but answers submitted later have been added.

More: Hear from Monroe County commissioner candidates at Oct. 25 forum

Why are you running for this office?

Christy: When you become a Commissioner you find out that you have very little authority but lots responsibility. It your job to connect agencies, people, government and corporations together.

Laverdure: I am running for another term as Commissioner because there is important work left to be done. Since I took office in 2020, we have gained serious momentum toward the equity and progress I committed to. I believe in a new term, we can finish the job we started.

Parker: I had success in getting our issues addressed in just one term as a State Representative and I believe I can make a positive impact as a County Commissioner. I'm running for Commissioner so more families can afford to live, learn and work in Monroe County. We need to focus on: 1. Infrastructure - water, sewer, roads, bridges, and communications 2. Workforce development 3. Jobs - meet with existing employers to determine workforce needs 4. Cost savings at the County and across the County.

Wilkins: I’m serving the last year of my term as Stroud Twp Supervisor. I have served local government since 2010 and have established working relationships with local and state officials as well as numerous agencies in our County. Working as a Real Estate Broker gives me first hand knowledge of the Industry Trends that affect our community. When you’re working to help bring people home, you learn a lot about the needs & rewards of our community. I want to bring that knowledge to all of Monroe County.

What do you consider to be the top THREE issues Monroe County faces? If elected, how would you address them?

Christy: Housing right now is a big problem. When you ask yourself if our kids came back to work in Monroe County after school where would they live, the answer would be with you because there is such a shortage of available and affordable housing. 2. Workers, we have openings for all kinds of jobs here at the County offices as well as the private sector. A question that is always asked is where are the workers. We have added a recruiter to our HR staff to tackle this problem. School taxes, but that is for our friends in Harrisburg to fight over as we have been short funded for decades.

Laverdure: 1. Economic Development - Our area has long relied upon service jobs to prosper. We have utilized our Economic Development Commission to recruit high-paying, family-sustaining jobs to our area. Everyone who resides here has the right to live safely, in good health, and with dignity. I will continue to work on these issues to ensure we meet the vision we set in Monroe 2030. 2. Environmental Protection - The proliferation of warehouses has effected our region. We are currently working with our Planning Commission to help our municipal leaders better plan for these uses. This, in addition to the Conservation District’s Model Act 167 (Stormwater Management), will help us protect the natural beauty we all enjoy. 3. Access to the Ballot Box - Preserving the ability to safely deposit your ballot in a dropbox and maintain your ability to cure signature or date defects is incredibly important. We need to protect the sanctity of the vote, the most solemn duty to choose your elected officials.

Parker: We, the people of Monroe County, pay the highest percentage of our income to school property taxes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We pay the most out of 67 counties and we're among the highest in the nation. For more than 30 years we've been shortchanged by Harrisburg in school funding and forced to make up the difference ourselves. That's roughly $40 million a year right now and has been for at least the last 10 years. The ripple effects of this $400 million fleecing, lead to a higher cost of living, a shortage of affordable housing, an increase in homelessness, and greater stress on our families as parents work more hours and jobs or commute longer distances to generate enough income to live here.

Solutions to these issues require a collaborative effort. If elected, I would work together with our legislators and push for change in Harrisburg, to get our county fairly funded; and work with local leaders to make county government the best it can be for all of us.

Wilkins: Housing, Infrastructure, Volunteer Firefighter/EMS Services, and Taxes as well. Each part of Monroe County is unique in the needs they have. I serve as Vice President of Pocono Mountains Council of Governments bringing together local officials and agencies from across Monroe County to talk about and solve multi-jurisdictional issues. The working relationships I have with local officials and agencies allows me to begin on day one with understanding and addressing those needs.

For incumbents: What accomplishments from your tenure are you most proud of? For non-incumbents: What decisions would you have made differently than the current commissioners?

Christy: The expansion of Court services has been discussed and studied for years. I have spent eight years going over studies and plans and finally the construction of the Courthouse. It will serve our needs for the next 20-25 years. 2. The expansion of people access to vote. With changes in the law that allows us to allow mail in ballots has more people to voice there desires in representation. 3. I serve on MPO the addresses the long range funding for Penn Dot projects, we make sure that Monroe County gets its fair share of spending.

Laverdure: I am extremely proud of my record in my first term as Commissioner. One of my most important achievements was the balancing of the Monroe County Conservation District Board. In 2021, the Commission appointed acclaimed environmental expert Craig Todd to the Board. I am also extremely proud of the safe and secure implementation of ballot drop boxes beginning with the 2020 election. Thousands of voters have utilized this option, increasing public participation in our elections. Perhaps the most noticeable achievement will be the completion of the Courthouse Expansion project. The modernization of our Courthouse will allow the court system to be more efficient, maintain public safety, and make public services accessible to all residents of Monroe County.

Parker: Late last year the FCC had an online survey for fixed broadband and mobile broadband service. They wanted people to test the accuracy of the coverage maps that providers used to show where broadband is supposedly available. This is just the type of project the County Commissioners should take the lead on to get as many people to do the survey as possible. It's especially important when Congress is allocating billions of dollars for broadband expansion. I did not hear anything from the Commissioners office about this at the time. If I were in office, I would have engaged the public to participate in the process to improve the accuracy of the maps and let the FCC know how many unserved and underserved areas there are in the county. Now, grants have been put in for the $1 billion to expand Pennsylvania broadband and only 3 grants have been applied for in Monroe County, covering less than 1200 locations, in only 1/3 of the 20 municipalities. I think we could have done better.

Wilkins: I work with open door policies. I work well with others and a good communicator. I listen, and I am approachable. As a Township Supervisor, I understand the need of Fiscal discipline that protects taxpayers, strengthening the economy to help create jobs, working with law enforcement to ensure public safety, solutions to bring affordable housing to our area, needs of the elderly, mental health developmental programs, and human resources. Even balance is needed. Commercial Development that brings in tax revenue which helps keep our property taxes down and helps with the funding of our open space and recreation.

Describe your community involvement in Monroe County.

Christy: I'm a past line officer and board member of Shawnee Fire Company where I served for over twenty years. I was a EMT for Bushkill EMS for over fifteen years. I served as a Member of the Monroe County Rail Authority. Currently serve on the board of Safe Monroe.

Laverdure: I am extremely active in our community. From my career in education, to coaching, to work with civic groups, I am a member of Elks Lodge #319 in East Stroudsburg. I sing in the Pocono Concert Chorale as well. Perhaps one of the most important and personal causes to me has been my work with the Perryman/Keglovits Foundation. I knew Arthur Perryman and Al Keglovits well and worked with other community leaders to found an organization dedicated to curing cancer in their memory.

Parker: My parents Dale and Jennet Parker, got me and my 5 siblings involved in our community at Middle Smithfield Presbyterian Church, United Way and the East Stroudsburg Salvation Army. Amanda and I have been raising our 5 daughters in Stroud Township. I've volunteered with Stroudsburg Girls Soccer Booster Club, Monroe County Habitat for Humanity, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, Stroudsburg Area Music Supporters, Pocono Builder's Association. I started the Pocono Toastmasters Club in 2000.

Wilkins: Chairwoman Stroud Township Board of Supervisors. Zoning Hearing Board (2010-2012) Planning Commission (2012-2015). Current Vice President- Pocono Mountains Council of Government, President/Gen Mgr Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates. Board Member Safe Monroe (Women’s Resources Monroe County), Kettle Creek Environmental Fund, E.Stbg Little League. 2012 Northeast Business Journal Top 25 Women in Business. A supporter/donor of numerous Human Service Agencies and the Arts.

Describe your employment background.

Christy: Early in my career I worked transporting subway and light railcars. I was involved with the light rail of SEPTA and the Broad Street subway in Philadelphia. The Baltimore subway system. The PATH cars in New York. I then worked in construction for Shawnee Development building infrastructure and residential and commercial buildings. I then opened my own consulting firm for construction management.

Laverdure: I was Superintendent of Schools at East Stroudsburg Area School District from 2009 until my retirement in 2016. I began my career there in 1973. I taught in classrooms for twenty years before working as a principal in several East Stroudsburg schools for eleven years. I ultimately transitioned to central administration in 2004 where I was Assistant Superintendent for Special Projects.

Parker: Pocono Record Paperboy 1982-1986Wide World Music, Stroudsburg 1985 Order fillerAAA North Penn, Stroudsburg 1986-1987 ClerkA.W. Zacharias Mason Supplies 1988-1992 Salesperson & YardpersonCastles Lumber Carlisle PA 1992-1995 SalespersonCramer's Cashway Inc. 1995-2023Salesperson, Director of Purchasing, Director of Human Resources, Secretary, Treasurer, Store Manager - Pocono SummitState Representative - 2014-2016Walmart DC 6080 Tobyhanna - 2017-2023Receiving Associate, Order filler

Wilkins: President/General Manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates in which I co-own along with my Husband. I am a Real Estate Broker and Property Manager. I’m a skilled negotiator, motivational facilitator, work in training, public relations, and very tech savvy. Extensive Human Resource experience. I began my Real Estate career over 30 years ago. I was also raised and worked in the Resort/Hospitality Industry early in my career.

What elected positions, if any, have you previously held?

Christy: Two terms as County Commissioner.

Laverdure: I have been County Commissioner since 2020.

Parker: State Representative 115th District Monroe County

Wilkins: Current Chairwoman Stroud Township Board of Supervisors. First Woman Appointed & Elected Supervisor Stroud Township (2015-present).

What makes you uniquely qualified for this office?

Christy: My willingness to listen to all sides of a issues and work to a solution.

Laverdure: I spent my career in public education, including 43 years with East Stroudsburg Area School District. As Superintendent, I carried out the obligations required by the Commonwealth and federal government. I managed hundreds of employees and a budget comparable to that of the County. I am involved in this community and I am in touch with the needs folks have and the challenges they face.

Parker: I've been raising a family here for the past 25 years and plan to continue for at least another 10 years. Serving as a State Representative, President of my Community Association and volunteering in leadership positions at my Church and various community service organizations has given me a unique set of experiences and perspectives to draw from in serving as a County Commissioner. Add to that my 25 years of helping run our family business, I know the importance of staying within a budget.

Wilkins: My lifetime of shared experiences, a business professional working with thousands of local families, and someone active in our Monroe County community gives me a deep understanding of the concerns of our residents and the issues they want their local leaders to address. It is that understanding, mixed with common sense and a core commitment, that I will use to help put Monroe County on the strongest path for the future.

List your campaign website and/or social media.

Christy: christy4commissioner@gmail.com

Laverdure: Facebook @SharonLaverdureMonroeCounty

Parker: parker4commish.comhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089059427553

Wilkins: website: christine4monroe.com Facebook/Instagram: @christine4monroe.com

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Monroe Co. commissioner candidates discuss priorities, qualifications