Pike County League of Women Voters meets the candidates

By Marilyn Rosenthal
MILFORD — "It's neither a forum nor a debate, but an opportunity to meet the candidates who are running for various local positions in Pike County," said Liz Forrest, the current president of the Pike County League of Women Voters (LWV). She reminded the packed meeting room of the library in Milford that the LWV doesn't endorse any party or candidate. "The purpose of this "Meet and Greet" is to get to know the candidates and for the candidates to get to know you."
This "Meet and Greet "was sponsored and organized by Lara Anne Dodsworth, Esq. and Marcia Guberman, both LWV members with help from Ariel Dieckman. They contacted all of the candidates and provided the refreshments, as well. In addition, members of the Pike County Board of Elections were there with a voting machine to help voters become more familiar with the electronic voting process if needed.
There was a wide array of candidates including the magistrate level, the mayoral level, various tax collectors from different townships, various candidates for supervisors from different townships, and five candidates running for the Delaware Valley School Board. Candidates running for the higher profile positions were given exactly two minutes to talk. Some of the others just stood when their names were called. The idea was that after the break, people in the audience could go up to the candidates for their township and chat with them.
Here is a run-down of some of the candidates for major offices, and a very brief description of what they very briefly said. Note that there is not necessarily parity in what each of the candidates said about themselves.
Judge Deborah Fisher — Milford, Milford Boro, Matamoras, and Westfall
• Running for her third term
• Explained what the Magistrate Judge does
Judge Alan Cooper — Dingmans, Lackawaxen, and Shohola
• Most senior elected official in Pike County — 4 term
• When he meets people who have come before him in court, he asks them, "Did I listen?" He feels it is important because people want to be heard.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Kerry Welsh- Pike County
• Elected three times on the Republican ticket
• Pointed out that Sheriff Beuki is retiring and that is why he is running
• Works closes with judges and the District Attorney
Mayor Sean Strub- Mayor of Milford
• 20 years in Milford
• Appointed Mayor- now running for election
• Improved physical and cultural landscape of Milford
o Milford Enhancement Committee
o Black Bear Festival, Milford Music Festival, Readers and Writers Festival
 Nicholas May, Candidate for Mayor of Milford
• Milford native
• Served on the Milford Boro council- 2010-2015
• Running on the Republican ticket
DVSD Board Candidates- 7 Candidates for 4 positions
This is a non-partisan race. The candidates are cross-filed across party lines.
Only 5 candidates were present.
Jessica Adler Decker
• Teacher and former parent of DV student
• Understands roles of parents, teachers, and students
• Holds MA degree
Dr. Cheryl R. Glenn
• Speech Pathologist
• Son- former football player DV
• Former Adjunct prof at NYU, New Rochelle, Pace
• Expertise in staff development
Pam Lutfy
• Been on DV Board for 20 years
• Fights for impact Aid
• Passion is to interact with Federal government to improve funding
• Federal Relations networking member
Patricia McKinney
• MA in Educational Administration
• Philosophy is for development of students' critical thinking skills
• Strong anti-drug advocate
Rosemary Walsh (Palermo)
• May be the only person who goes to DV meeting for fun
• Children went to DV
• Likes to observe body language of Board member- can learn a lot
After the presentations, the audience of about 75 people chatted with the candidates of their choice and many lively discussions ensued.
Liz Forrest reminded everyone that the Primary is May 16 and the polls are open from 7a.m. to 8 p.m.