Urges votes for Sterner

In May of 2019 I had the privilege of introducing Rich Sterner as a candidate for a special PA Senate election. I thought he would be a shoo-in because he was a beloved person in Upper Adams, a large part of that Pennsylvania senate district. Rich had been the Biglerville high school principal for several years while I was a school board member in Upper Adams. We were all very sad when he retired, wondering who could fill his shoes. But in 2019 Rich ran against a Republican who had the advantage in voter registration. Mastriano was well known, having run for Congress previously. So Rich Sterner lost that time, but now he is facing the same person in the 2020 election. This time we know what type of person Doug Mastriano really is.

Mastriano got a fair amount of negative attention recently in a full page letter in the Gettysburg Times. It was signed by dozens of Lutheran pastors and leaders who were dismayed by Doug Mastriano’s attack on their congregations for prioritizing communal health over “individual freedom.” He objected to the cancellation of church services during the coronavirus as “uncourageous if they continue abiding by the advice of medical professionals…to avoid large gatherings.” Mastriano claimed that going to church and not wearing a mask “is emblematic of a strong faith in God.”

Not wearing a mask and opening all of the PA businesses is another of the senator’s response to the pandemic. His attacks on our Governor for shutting down businesses to save lives is typical of a man whose primary value is not the common good, but individual rights.

We the voters were duped once but not again. We have a choice in November to elect a leader who cares about all of us. If you don’t know Rich Sterner personally, you owe it to yourself to check out his website www.sternerforpa. There you will see a candidate who wants to serve all the people and listen to every constituent of Senate District 33. Rich Sterner’s top priority is to take care of the health and well being of South-central Pennsylvania. Problem solving (not finger pointing) is on top as we must work together to get through this pandemic. He is a believer in education and recognizes the importance of property tax relief while maintaining local control.

Vote! But please don’t make the wrong choice this time.

Elaine Jones,
Arendtsville