After spending 19 months as assistant Blair County treasurer, Barry Wright is challenging for a Republican nomination for Blair County Commissioner.
“I felt it was time for me to run for office,” said Wright. “Most of the people who I have talked to are talking about making a change in the commissioners office. It is time for new ideas and fresh leadership.”
Wright, a retired vice president for commercial lending of Mid State Bank, is a life long resident of Altoona and currently serves as president of the Altoona School District Board of Directors.
“In my 10 years on the Altoona School Board we have not raised taxes,” said Wright. “The budget we are working with in the school district is $78 million which is $20 million more than the county budget. I have been very fortunate through my work at the bank to be involved in the community and have served on dozens of boards over the years.”
Wright believes that working with area representatives will help the county.
“I believe that we need to work with our representatives on the federal, state and local levels,” said Wright. “That is something I don’t think the two current Republican commissioners (John Eichelberger and John Ebersole) are doing. By working together with the representatives on all levels, it would play a big role in bringing new business to Blair County.”
Blair County is facing tough economic times, and Wright believes that a change in the commissioners office will help in the recovery.
“The county commissioners have voted twice to raise taxes in the past eight years,” said Wright. “They also voted to give themselves raises. The current salary for commissioner is $55,000 and by 2007, it will rise to $61,000. The two Republican commissioners treat the position as part time jobs. One has a private company of his own that he works at and the other has many things going on. I plan to be accessible to the people of Blair County. I may not sit in the office every minute, but I will be there for the people to be heard.”
Wright said he would not accept the pay increases once elected.
“The current pay for Blair County Commissioner is $55,000 per year and I will not accept another pay increase once I am elected,” said Wright. “I will not vote for a pay increase. The county is going through some tough economic times and I was surprised when the commissioners voted themselves a pay raise. State law considers the commissioner position as a part time job. That is a very large salary for a part time position. When I am elected, I will work full time for the citizens of Blair County.”
Wright believes that there is more to Blair County than Altoona and Hollidaysburg.
“I will push for evening meetings of the commissioners,” said Wright. “The meetings happen every Tuesday at 10 a.m. and are usually over by 10:20 a.m. I want to have the meetings in the evening so the voters can attend. Most people are working in the mornings and can’t observe what is happening with their county government. I also want to have two meetings a year in the northern end of the county and two in the Cove area. There is more to the county than Altoona and Hollidaysburg.”
With the completion of Interstate 99, Wright sees a bright future for the county.
“The completion of the highway will bring growth to the Tyrone area,” said Wright. “I hope to see more distribution centers, hi tech jobs and light industry come to our area. Our area is ripe for distribution centers to flourish.”
When asked if Wright would be in favor of a KOEZ (Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone) for the former Westvaco property, the candidate said yes.
“Granting a KOEZ would be a loss of tax money, but it would help growth,” said Wright. “As Altoona School Board President, I worked with Dr. (Dennis) Murray (Altoona School District superintendent) on a LOEZ for East Juniata. KOEZ’s help with our future economically. We have to look to the future of Blair County and keep our young people here.”
Working together is something that Wright believes in.
“I believe that as a county commissioner, I would need to work with the federal, state and local legislators to improve the county,” said the candidate. “I would talk with the township supervisors and borough governments and find out what they want from the county. I would work with the federal and state legislators to bring money into the county. The township and borough governments play important roles in the future of our county.”
When asked about the cuts in social services that are planned for the 2003-04 state budget, Wright is hoping that there can be changes still to the budget.
“I was hoping that the budget wasn’t finalized,” said Wright. “I know what the governor is trying to do for education, but we need money for other support systems. You can’t take the funding away from mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, children and youth services and child support advocacy. Those programs need the support of the government. Without those programs, there will be more crime in our area to support drug habits.”
Wright believes that change is needed on the county level.
“I believe that if we work together, we can see change in Blair County,” said Wright. “We need to grow economically. We can’t be focused on large industrial jobs, because the businesses can relocate to the south or Mexico and produce their goods cheaper. We have a good work force in Blair County. We need to focus on bringing hi tech jobs, light industry and distribution centers to the county.”
Wright has been hitting the campaign trail hard since announcing his candidacy.
“I am hoping for a big turnout on May 20,” said Wright. “We have a lot of important races. I believe that the commissioners need to stay in touch and be accessible to the people of the county. As assistant Blair County Treasurer, I worked from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. It was a commitment that I made and a committment that I kept. I enjoy working with people and want to serve the people of Blair County.”
Wright will appear on the Republican ballot for Blair County Commissioner in the May primary.
