2 candidates seeking supervisor seat in Gilpin

Gilpin residents will have a choice of two political newcomers to help represent them on the board of supervisors for the next four years.

Democrat Charles Chaz Minnich and Republican Kevin M. Miller are vying for one four-year seat.

Incumbent Republican Jeremy Smail is running unopposed for a six-year seat.

Both Minnich and Miller are longtime township residents and have families with adult children.

Both said they love Gilpin’s rural setting, quiet nature and friendly people.

However, their platforms differ, with Miller focused on increasing public safety and Minnich wanting a thorough review of township finances.

“The major issue that I want to handle is having a 24-hour police department,” Miller said. “We’re lacking 20 or 30 hours (of coverage) a week. The state police are coming from Kittanning sometimes and they can’t come to every call. There are a lot of other important things. I think the taxpayers in Gilpin should have a 24-hour police department.”

Supervisors this month unanimously approved spending about $4,200 to boost department service hours from 16 to 20 hours per day through the rest of the year.

One of the reasons the department was able to increase coverage is because some equipment purchases anticipated for this year will be handled in next year’s budget, leaving thousands of dollars available now.

Gilpin’s department has six officers — three part-timers and three full-timers, including Chief Chris Fabec.

Miller said he will forgo his stipend as a supervisor to help fund the police.

“Nobody does this for the money,” he said about becoming a supervisor. “I’m sure not in it for the money.”

Supervisor Chairman Charles Stull said Wednesday supervisors are paid about $600 per year, and that the board voted to end receiving stipends starting next year.

However, second class township code only permits such a move to be enacted at the end of a term, meaning whoever wins this election will not receive a stipend. Neither will Smail should he be reelected. Three other seats will still be paid until their terms end.

Miller also hopes to look into adding new equipment for the road department so they can “get the jobs they do done faster and easier.”

Minnich said he decided to run to bring another perspective to the board and to do his part for the community.

“I’m running because I feel it’s my civic duty,” he said. “I think everyone should take their turn at local supervisor (or council).”

Minnich believes the township has more than adequate service from its own department and state police coverage, and wants to look at township expenses as a whole.

“That’s not as big a concern for me,” Minnich said when asked about a 24-hour Gilpin police force. “I’m concerned about trying to keep our taxes low in whatever way we can. I’m running on a platform of fiscal responsibility.

“We get hit pretty hard in our area on school taxes. I’m not running for school board, but I want to keep (township taxes) as low as possible.”

Supervisors adopted this year’s budget with a 4-mill tax hike.

This was after a 5-mill hike was considered in the preliminary budget, an estimated 71 percent increase.

Total township expenses were reduced by about $25,000 in the final budget.

Minnich said he will work for all taxpayers and learn as much as possible once elected and witness how things are done behind the scenes.

“Having not been on the board and not knowing everything, that’s what I plan to find out,” Minnich said. “I actually think I do need to learn a little more about what’s happening now.”

He also encouraged residents to get out and vote.

“Don’t just come out for the big elections. These municipal elections are very important,” Minnich said.