Four candidates are vying for two open seats on Hampton Township Council in the Nov. 7 election.

Two Democrats and two Republicans are running for the open positions, and Richard “Rock” Kernick is running for re-election. He was chosen during a special election process and served a two-year-term.

The other candidates are Peter Catone, Alfred Midgley IV and Daniel J. Sciulli.

Peter Catone (D) is a 43-year-old manager of digital sales who earned a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has not held public office.

One of his goals as a council member is to focus on business development in Hampton Township.

“We need to attract and maintain businesses that enrich the community by providing new and needed services,” he said. “We need to work on community development and improvements in a fiscally responsible manner to maintain the high level of standard Hampton provides as a community. We need to maintain and add to our offerings but work within our budget without raising taxes.”

Catone said he listens to his neighbors and fellow residents, and has heard numerous complaints about zoning and permitting.

“I think zoning and permitting improvements and simplification of the process is necessary,” he said. “Overpermitting is one of the issues that is most brought to my attention by neighbors. We need a review of the process and need to ensure we are using permitting for safety where needed, but not overstepping.”

Alfred Midgley IV (R), 48, is vice president of sales at AUMA Actuators. He earned a bachelor of science in engineering from Penn State University and MBA from the University of Phoenix.

He said that one of the definitive challenges facing Hampton Township is to prioritize essential needs over discretionary ones.

“In Hampton, much like numerous local governments nationwide, we are grappling with a growing financial gap as our expenses continue to rise while our revenue remains relatively stagnant,” he said, and he thinks that with the effects of inflation, the problems are bound to increase.

“To put it simply, when factoring in the escalating costs of materials, labor, and pensions, our projections indicate that there won’t be adequate tax revenue to sustain these expenditures.”

Midgley said he believes that a delicate balance must be achieved while keeping the best interests of Hampton’s taxpayers in mind, particularly those on fixed incomes, along with charitable organizations that play a vital role in the community.

Richard Kernick (D) is 63 and an architect by trade. He has spent much of his career working in higher education and corporate building design.

Kernick received a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Illinois, followed by eight months of environmental design study at London’s Architectural Association School.

“We need to start moving on the Route 8 portion of our comprehensive plan. Currently, it’s been relegated to a committee for study,” he said. “Hampton’s commercial real estate value has been lagging behind our neighboring communities, and increasing its value will increase our revenue without our needing to raising taxes.”

Kernick looks forward to working with Ryan Jeroski, the new municipal manager who will take over in February.

“The incoming manager stated some of the things in his interview that I’ve been saying for the last two years: We need to adjust our zoning ordinances for that area and then be patient,” said Kernick.

He believes his work history will help guide him in making decisions for the township.

“My professional experience will help with other challenges, to include the completion of the sewage treatment plant and the future development of an emergency services center. A municipal council should have a good cross-section of community knowledge,” he said.

Daniel J. Sciulli (R) is a 44-year-old deposit pricing manager at First National Bank and has worked in corporate finance and banking for over 20 years. He is an 18-year resident of Hampton.

Sciulli has never held public office.

“The most important issues for the township are keeping it the way it is, quite frankly, through working with the new township manager as he transitions into the role,” he said about Jeroski, “and ensuring the township successfully continues with its long-term strategic plan and continuing to ensure fiscal responsibility and prudence.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)