Trending
MIFFLINTOWN -- While the Mifflin County School District's Board of Directors is expected to have a highly contested race to the finish on Election Night, Juniata County has struggled to find potential school directors.
In fact, several seats will be vacant on the Nov. 7 ballot.
Five of the nine school board directors are up for election, along with the district attorney, prothonotary, coroner, auditor and magisterial district judge to name a few.
While most seats do have at least one candidate, there are two school board director slots that don't -- Region 2 (Fayette Township) and Region 7 (Beale and Milford townships).
In Region 2, Mindy Carvell opted to not seek re-election as did David J. Fry in Region 7. Thus, neither region has a qualified name on the ballot.
The other three have candidates listed as Douglas E. Kline is seeking re-election in Region 3 (Delaware and Susquehanna townships) and Martha Jane Shirk hopes to return in Region 6 (Mifflin, Mifflintown and Thompsontown boroughs). Kline is a Republican, while Shirk has cross-filed. She is seeking re-election after being appointed to finish out the term of Kenneth J. Dupree, who tendered his resignation on March 8.
Shirk has been a resident of Juniata County all her life and was educated in the county school system, graduating from Juniata High School as did several of her family members.
Republican Ray D. Page's name appears on the ballot in Region 5 (Fermanagh Township). Former school board president Mark F. Wagner is not on the ballot for re-election. Page secured the most write-in votes during the primary election in May.
In his campaign announcement last spring for Fermanagh Township supervisor, Page said he had served on the school board previously including time as school board president.
Current Juniata County School Board President Angela Varner said at least two candidates are involved with write-in campaigns. In Region 2, Cindy L. Treaster has reached out to the board about her candidacy as a write-in. Treaster said she was employed by the school district from 2001-12, stating she served as a study hall monitor and worked in the office as needed. "I saw how it operated. ... I'm conservative. I will fight for your children," Treaster's statement read.
Varner also said Wagner has committed to remaining on the board if a write-in campaign is successful.
"I don't think after the election we will have open spots," Varner explained. "I think they're just going to be write-ins."
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
While very few races are contested, with more candidates than there are seats available.
There are a few exceptions, such as the county commissioners' race, where voters can vote for up to two individuals, including incumbents: Mark R. Partner, Todd A. Graybill or Alice Gray, or candidate Chris B. Casner.
Partner and Casner are Democratic nominees, while Graybill and Gray are Republicans.
Partner is a 1978 graduate of Juniata High School and attended West Chester University. Prior to being elected in 2015, Partner served as a Juniata County Commissioner from 1996 to 2007 and served as county auditor from 1993 to 1995.
While serving as a commissioner, Partner has worked with Mifflin-Juniata Regional Services Corp., Mifflin-Juniata Area Agency on Aging, Executive Committee of Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services, Pennsylvania Counties Risk Pool, Juniata County Industrial Development Authority, SEDA-Council of Governments and the Juniata County Extension Council.
Partner cited his support of necessary technology upgrades, improved courthouse security procedures, authorizing initial work to move toward acquiring and implementing upgrades to the assessment department's property appraisal and records system. He also said he worked cooperatively to develop a draft plan to repurpose the former county prison building to assist with increased space needs for other county departments, required records storage and staff.
This would mark Graybill's third term as county commissioner. He has helped the community grow by continuing to work with the Juniata County Industrial Development Authority and Juniata Business and Industry in growing the industrial park.
Graybill, who was first elected as commissioner in 2015, has previously worked as a car salesman, corrections officer and retired from the Pennsylvania State Police at Lewistown barracks. Graybill also served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985-89.
Graybill, who graduated from East Juniata High School, lives with his wife, Monica. They have two sons.
Gray currently serves as the chair of the Juniata County Board of Commissioners. She was unanimously re-elected to serve another term as chair of the Juniata County Board of Commissioners in 2020.
Gray's first successful candidacy in Juniata County came in 2014. Since being in office, Gray has led various human resources initiatives relating to assisting the residents of Juniata County, such as Call-A-Ride Service, and in working to maintain infrastructure and technology funding.
Casner is a lifelong resident of Juniata County and a businessman who "understands the struggles and concerns of day-to-day life within our county," he posted on social media before the primary. A 2002 graduate of Juniata High School. He runs Casner Service Center, a family-owned business. "I believe I bring to the table fresh ideas and opinions to help ensure we have a better tomorrow where we all live and work."
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Republican Cory J. Snook is the only name on the ballot as he seeks another term in office. Born and raised in Juniata County, Snook graduated from Juniata High School in 1993. He completed his bachelor's degree in political science at Lebanon Valley College in 1997, and subsequently graduated from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University with a Juris Doctor degree in May 2000.
Upon passing the bar exam in July 2000 and being admitted to the bar, Snook was in private practice for several years. After completion of a one-year judicial clerkship with the Pennsylvania Supreme County, he opened his law office in Mifflintown.
Snook was initially elected in November 2009 to be the top law enforcement official in Juniata County. Since taking that office, he has successfully prosecuted thousands of criminal and juvenile cases.
PROTHONOTARY
Republican Lori A. Ferry is seeking re-election and is unopposed. She has been working as a clerk of court for eight years.
CORONER
Republican Lee E. Snyder will be the lone name on the ballot as he seeks re-election. He is a member of the Pennsylvania State Coroners Association.
COUNTY AUDITOR
Democratic nominee Laura A. Cunningham is seeking re-election with Republicans Miriam "Mim" Anstine and Christie Smith Yorks. Current auditor Nancy H. Phelan has announced plans to retire and is not seeking re-election.
DISTRICT JUDGE
With long-time and well-respected Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Leister retiring from District 41-3-02 after 36 years on the bench, Joshua R. Imes is poised to replace her as he is the only individual appearing on the ballot. Imes cross-filed for the election.
Imes has served as a social studies teacher for the past 18 years in the Juniata County School District and studied political science and history at Shippensburg University. He also has a master's degree in education and doctorate in leadership. A 2000 graduate of Juniata High School, he and wife, Rachel, reside in Milford Township, with sons, Jack and Will.
District 41-3-02 encompasses the Juniata County boroughs of Mifflin and Port Royal as well as Beale, Lack, Milford, Spruce Hill, Turbett, Tuscarora and Walker townships.
SCHOOL BOARD
For Region 3 of the Greenwood School Board, candidates Jim Hahn and Gilbert R. Davis are listed on the ballot for the two spots. Both have cross-filed for the election.
OTHER VACANCIES
At the local municipal level, there are many positions without a name on the ballot. They include:
• Auditors for Delaware Township, Fermanagh Township, Greenwood Township, Mifflin Borough (3), Mifflintown Borough (2), Milford Township (2), Port Royal Borough (3), Susquehanna Township, Thompsontown Borough (3) and Walker Township.
• Borough council members for Mifflin Borough (2) Mifflintown Borough (2).
• Constables for Beale Township, Delaware Township, Fermanagh Township, Greenwood Township, Lack Township, Mifflin Borough, Mifflintown Borough, Milford Township, Monroe Township, Port Royal Borough, Susquehanna Township, Thompsontown Borough, Turbett Township and Walker Township.
• Mayor for Mifflin Borough.
• Tax collector for Susquehanna Township.
CONTESTED RACES
Besides the county commissioners, there are a few other contested races:
• Fayette Township auditor where Democrat Edward Rozell is running against Republican Christine Hart.
• Milford Township supervisor where Republican incumbent Leon E. Zimmerman is being challenged by Democrat Douglas G. Brackbill.
• Tuscarora Township supervisor where Democratic incumbent Barry K. Milliken is facing Republican Joshua R. Foster for that seat.
• Walker Township supervisor where Republican Derrick L. Casner and Democrat Cory L. Deihl are vying for the one seat.
POLLS
All polls in Juniata County are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7. Mail ballots must be received before the polls close on that same date.