Pike County Commissioner Candidate Matt Osterberg, Republican
What follows is a combination of Tri-State Lookout questions with responses from before the primary and responses to questions asked this month.
What circumstance(s) prompted you to run for commissioner?
My love for community and people! Being a County Commissioner allows me to use my knowledge of business management and experience dealing with people and developing programs for people needing the most assistance.
A Commissioner’s job entails human services and improving quality of life for Pike County residents. I strive to help veterans, senior citizens, young people, the disabled, disadvantaged, and those suffering through addiction. Everyone deserves equal opportunities. During my twelve years as commissioner, I expanded senior housing, veterans services, treatment programs and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
What experience, skills and/or education prepares you for the role of commissioner? Please be specific.
Prior to being county commissioner I was a Milford Borough Councilman for 25 years, serving as President for 20 years, which gave me skills to understand the relationship between county and municipality. As Commissioner I respect the role of a supervisor/council member and know how to work with them to provide services to residents.
Through partnership, the current commissioners office assisted municipalities in bolstering Emergency Service (ambulance), by fostering a matching grant program. That has saved lives. Experience matters.
What would you like to change if elected? Please be specific.
My goal is not about change but vision. I have plans for expanded medical services, a vocational training center for those with disabilities, expanded services for those with addictions and developing housing for workers, seniors and the disabled.
What would you like to accomplish as commissioner? Please be specific.
I will see that the Bennett Ave. facility is completed as a Vocational Training Center for the disabled, working with Human Resource Center (HRC) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).
Another vision is expanding Medical Care Services in Pike county. We have bolstered ambulance services, created a program to train EMTs and soon two Urgent Cares will open in our community.
My greatest accomplishment will be creation of a Medical Foundation to build a 24/7 county emergency facility. If we are going to ever have a mini-hospital in Pike County it is now, led by leaders with skills for the undertaking.
What is your biggest concern in Pike County, and how would you
address it if elected for another term?
Expansion of medical services is so important in Pike County. We have created a successful training program for EMTs and our efforts of bringing two new Urgent Cares to the county continues. The creation of a Medical Foundation will be the beginning of bringing a 24/7 medical facility to the area. We bolstered and greatly improved EMS services by partnering with local municipalities and will continue the support for the Women’s Health Clinic we helped coordinate. Future plans will address other important issues including a vocational training center for the disabled and affordable housing for seniors, these plans will not only herald in better medical care and quality of life but the opportunity for quality jobs as well.
What are your other priorities to accomplish, and how would you accomplish these goals?
When it comes to planning and vision, no other group needs more from all of us then those with disabilities… we are creating services to better serve them.
We have plans in motion to construct a vocational training center on Bennett Avenue at the former Penndot facility. This facility will provide employment and training opportunities for those with disabilities. We have partnered with HRC and OVR to create a program that will be a shining star for our region. We are already discussing how we can create more affordable housing opportunities for seniors, and those with disabilities and workers. These plans are visions for the future.
What kinds of better paying jobs would you work to bring to Pike
County, and how would you do that?
My leadership is based on experience, communication skills, compassion, involvement in community, and working alongside Ron Schmalzle and that is why I believe bringing in more medical services, urgent care facilities, a hospital, and vocational training center will help create the opportunity for quality jobs in PIke County.
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