Commonalities

Welcome to Commonalities with Matt Dowling! Today, we are excited to bring you a special episode where we introduce you to the candidates running for public office at the County Level. From county commissioners to judges and more, we have gathered a diverse group of individuals who are eager to share their platforms and visions for the future of our community.

Now, before we dive into the introductions, I want to apologize in advance for any audio issues that you might encounter during this episode. We understand the importance of clear sound quality and are working tirelessly to fix any issues for future episodes. But for now, we hope that you will bear with us and enjoy the content nonetheless.

The introductions that you will hear were made at the Mountain Fellowship Center meet and greet last week, and we would like to extend a special shout-out to Cortney Fisher for helping us organize this event. Due to time constraints, we were unable to feature every candidate running for local offices, but fear not! The full video can be found on my Facebook page. Just search for /matthewdowlingpublic to access it.

Now, today is a special day. It is Election Day, and we want to remind everyone listening to go out and cast your vote between 7 A.M. - 8 P.M. at your designated polling location. Remember that your vote matters and that you have the power to make a difference in our community.

Finally, we want to stress that any appearances on this program do not imply endorsement by WMBS Radio, Commonalities, myself, the Mountain Fellowship Center, our sponsors, or any other organizations. Our goal is to provide a platform for these candidates to share their views with our listeners, and we encourage everyone to make an informed decision based on their own values and beliefs.

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode of Commonalities with Matt Dowling, and we hope that you will enjoy getting to know the candidates running for office at the County Level.

This week, on Commonalities, we are joined by Rep. Marla Brown, a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House. With more than three decades of expertise in the private sector, Marla was chosen to serve the 9th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives starting in 2023. She is determined to make progress in the state's economy, expanding possibilities for employers and employees throughout the Commonwealth and enriching educational options while respecting taxpayers.

Furthermore, Marla is committed to enhancing the openness of government, diminishing the cost of healthcare, constructing programs for the security of our communities, and augmenting the capabilities of advanced energy economy for the benefit of residents and the future of our Commonwealth. Marla is devoted to shielding our state and national constitutions and advocating for state's rights, Second Amendment, and pro-life rights. Moreover, she is set to oppose government intervention in social experiments in our schools and homes and contends that free markets bring about freedom for people.

Moreover, Marla is resolved to act as a sturdy advocate for the inhabitants she represents in the state Legislature. Before her election, she had worked at UPS for 15 years and eventually owned a medical spa in Georgia. Additionally, she held the position of CEO with a Catholic pro-life non-profit, Pregnancy Aid Clinic, which tripled in funding and expansion within three years under her guidance. In 2018, she came back home to Lawrence County to be close to her family and lend a hand to revive her community. One of her core aims is to keep children and grandchildren from migrating away by making investments in the people and culture that make it exceptional.

Our esteemed guest on Commonalities this week is Patty Columbia, a promising candidate for the Brownsville Area School Board. Drawing from her substantial corporate IT career and community involvement, Patty has cultivated a deep understanding of the obligations and potential outcomes of being a school director. Patty is well-prepared to put her knowledge and leadership skills to work in the position, driven by her passion for the youth of the district and her dedication to public education. If elected, she will make it her priority to establish and uphold high standards of achievement for all children, educators, and administrators in the district. She is eagerly anticipating the road ahead and looks forward to serving the people of the district.

This week, we join Christian W. Klay, owner of Ridge Runner Distillery and namesake of the Chalkhill-based winery, to talk about the plans for the grand opening weekend of their newly added structure. The 30 by 30 building enlargement, which consists of an eighteen-foot bar, seating for forty people, a room suitable for private parties, and an indoor-outdoor area for live music and activities, will be inaugurated over the course of May 5-7th.

Danny De Vito, a lawyer residing in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, is running for the post of District Attorney of Elk County. He achieved his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Akron School of Law, where he was a honors fellow. Post-graduation, De Vito was an assistant in a medical services firm, a legal team focusing on medical misconduct, accidental injury, and commercial suits, and finally, criminal law practitioners. In addition, De Vito has been a salesman, as well as a strategist for a judicial prospect. Later, he served as the court law clerk for the 59th Judicial District Court of Common Pleas of Elk and Cameron Counties. Here, he assisted the President and Senior Judges with legal exploration, constructing decisions, and organizing the judicial district's civil protection order framework. Subsequently, De Vito created his own multi-county, regional law practice in Elk County.

Mike Aubele, a retired member of the Army Reserve and Afghanistan veteran, is seeking the Republican nomination for Fayette County District Attorney. Aubele is highly qualified for the job due to his extensive law enforcement background and experience as a trial attorney. His key platform point is equality, and he believes that the current District Attorney's office needs to be changed to truly bring about justice for all. He hopes to be elected to make these changes happen.

Cameron Downer is a proud and devoted Greene County, Pennsylvania native. As a young boy, he quickly realized that hard work was essential to achieve success. Thus, he often worked at several of the local businesses and family farms around the county to gain an understanding of the value of an honest living.

After graduating high school, Cameron moved to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Minor in Homeland Security. While in college, Cameron served as Executive Director and President of the IUP College Republicans, President of the Turning Point USA Chapter, Treasurer on the State Executive Board for the Pennsylvania College Republicans, and Senator for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Student Government. Additionally, he interned with U.S. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler's Office in his senior year.

On graduation, Cameron decided to give back to the community he loves and joined the Mount Morris Volunteer Fire Department Company #18, where he got certified in "Fire Fighting I" and "HAZMAT." Later, in 2021, he was elected as State Constable for Whiteley Township and also won the positions of Township Auditor and Inspector of Election; but declined the latter two in order to focus on the former. Furthermore, in 2022, he became a Field Organizer for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, wherein he managed grassroots volunteer activities in both Greene and Fayette counties and collaborated with numerous state and local party leaders and 2022 Pennsylvania Election candidates.

Moreover, Cameron is a life member of the NRA, a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose. His faith in Christianity and church attendance are crucial components of his life, and he credits the teachings of the Bible as the reason behind his selfless service to the community.

Cameron strongly believes that with all his experiences, if elected as County Commissioner, he will have what it takes to help Greene County progress. He strongly envisions a future worth fighting for, and that Greene County has an abundance of potential!

This week on Commonalities we have a discussion with Zane Hensal who has been a lifelong resident of Brisbin and is a graduate of the 2022 Moshannon Valley School District.

In high school, Zane has actively served his school and community in numerous ways. Zane was the student representative for the school board, member of the student council, president of the history club, and secretary of the district's National Honor Society. His experience in these roles have taught him about the problems within the district and have prepared him for the tasks ahead.

Having a strong interest in politics and public service, Zane took his experience to the next level by taking a job shadowing opportunity in the state legislature. He was later deemed one of the youngest candidates to run for public office in Pennsylvania. Zane's focus if elected is to reduce taxes, end wasteful spending, and ensure students are receiving the best education possible.

Zane's determination, dedication, and passion make him an excellent candidate for the Moshannon Valley School Board and he humbly asks for your support on May 16th.

This Thursday on Commonalities – James Moore is a candidate for the Connellsville Area School District Board of Directors. As a cross-filed Democrat and Republican, James feels he is equipped to make unbiased decisions for the students of the district. His commitment to the community through his years of experience coaching different youth sports organizations is an example of his willingness to invest in the future of our community. Being a parent of three and a graduate of Connellsville Area Career & Technology Center himself, James has an understanding of the Connellsville Area School District's importance to the 11 different school communities in Connellsville, from the Connellsville Area Senior High School to the Middle School and the Career and Technology Center. With James' years of experience in the area, he is committed to using his knowledge to continue making positive impacts in the community and supporting the 11 different schools and the future of the district.

On Saturday, March 25th, an enthusiastic group of volunteer chefs came together at the Uniontown Senior Center on Beeson Ave. and collaborated to make 1,300 delicious pierogis in just 3 hours. These scrumptious snacks were served to approximately 200 senior citizens at four Fayette County Community Action centers, located in Fairchance, Bullskin, the Mountain area, and Uniontown. Matt and Kendall also had the opportunity to feature some of these wonderful cooks on the WMBS Facebook page.

We express our utmost gratitude to all of the volunteers who made this remarkable event possible. Your altruistic contributions of time, energy, and enthusiasm were essential in the creation of such an incredible day. We could not have done it without your generosity and commitment to aiding the seniors of Fayette County. The Fayette County Community Action organization is forever thankful for your contributions and applauds your dedication to our local community.