LETTER: Gregory Woll, Libertarian candidate for Schuylkill Co. Commissioner
The Shenandoah Sentinel welcomes candidate announcements and letters, like this one, ahead of the Nov. 7 election. Details can be found here.
I am Gregory Woll, a Schuylkill County native and candidate for County Commissioner. My journey began in 2003 when I enlisted in the military right after graduating from Schuylkill Haven High School. I served with the 365th Engineering Battalion in Schuylkill Haven and later with the 4th Infantry Division in Fort Hood, Texas, including deployments to Iraq in 2005 and 2007. During my military service, I pursued higher education, earning an associate degree in Information Technology.
Following my military service, I joined my family’s renewable energy business in Schuylkill County and continued my education, obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Information Science and Cyber Security from Pennsylvania State University. I was actively involved in the Blue and White Society, Student Veterans of America, and The Young Americans for Liberty during my time at the university.
Professionally, I’ve worked in roles at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the PA Gaming Control Board, and my current position as a Principal Cyber Security Engineer at Trimble. Alongside my career, I’ve remained committed to community service, contributing to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and taking on leadership roles within a local Cub Scout pack. I’m also a member of the VFW and the American Legion, Post 38 Robert E Baker, Schuylkill Haven. With almost two decades of marriage and four children, I began contemplating a commissioner role as early as 2015, fueled by my belief in fiscal responsibility, preservation of personal liberties, and a steadfast commitment to elevating individual rights within all decision-making processes.
I firmly believe that Schuylkill County deserves a commissioner who champions fiscal responsibility, personal liberties, and places individual rights at the forefront of every decision. This includes how taxpayer money is spent and ensuring that ordinances protect property rights and individual freedoms.
Let’s now address the key issues impacting our county:
Fiscal Responsibility: Schuylkill County’s most pressing issue is its lack of fiscal responsibility and the potential insolvency of the county. This problem becomes apparent when examining our current financial outlook, which includes carrying $26 million in long-term debt and a $10.2 million budget deficit from the previous year. These deficits were patched with $5.6 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) and $4.6 million from the unassigned funds balance.
Moreover, the current commissioners recently authorized an additional $7 million bond for reassessment. There’s also a potential legal settlement looming, which could amount to nearly $1 million. Despite these financial commitments, the 2024 budget is at risk of a significant $13 million deficit. The current commissioners assert that there will be no tax increase for 2024, even with these looming financial challenges. The question is, where will the money come from to fill this hole?
This long-standing problem requires immediate action. My approach involves a comprehensive review of all department budgets, cost-cutting strategies, and contract consolidation. I also call on other elected commissioners to forfeit their pay and health benefits to save additional county funds. Furthermore, we must prioritize preparing Schuylkill County for economic development to boost tax revenues and bring much-needed jobs into the county.
Reassessment: The current issue regarding real estate tax assessment can be attributed to the shortcomings of our Commissioners and Legislature over the past three decades. The Legislature should have established a law specifying the frequency of reassessments, but this has not been addressed. Nonetheless, this absence of a law did not prevent any of the commissioners in the last 30 years from emulating what other counties have successfully done, which is budgeting for more frequent reassessments and conducting county-wide reassessments periodically.
I empathize with the challenges posed by property taxes and firmly believe that no one should face the risk of losing their home due to them. Advocating for more regular reassessments, I contend that this approach can be financially sustainable and promote business interests.
Frequent property evaluations would reduce tax payment disparities among property owners and facilitate improved budget planning. Moreover, it would offer businesses and investors greater clarity on property values and current real estate taxes. Finally, I am also wholeheartedly supportive of transitioning from property value-based taxation to an alternative government funding system.
Transparency and Accessibility: To make county commissioner meetings more accessible, I propose moving meetings to the evening, live-streaming meetings on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, and taking the meetings to local schools. This approach encourages community engagement, allowing students to interact with county leadership and making it easier for local constituents to attend meetings even if they can’t make it to the Courthouse. I also aim to increase public comment time and provide more detailed information on budget allocations.
Schuylkill County faces significant financial challenges, including long-term debt and deficits. I am committed to addressing these issues by reviewing all budgets for inefficiencies and seeking cost reductions. We must also avoid tax hikes and focus on financial prudence. What sets me apart is my military service background and unique perspective. I am not a mainstream politician; I am here to make a meaningful impact and prioritize senior citizens, veterans, and those in need.
My libertarian ideology prioritizes individual freedoms and free-market capitalism. I aim to promote economic growth by reducing tax spending, working with local universities, and reviewing regulations that may be burdening local businesses.
Schuylkill County deserves responsible and innovative leadership that respects individual rights, promotes fiscal responsibility, and effectively addresses key issues. I am ready to serve and lead our county to a brighter future.
Vote for Gregory Woll, your Libertarian candidate for Schuylkill County Commissioner. Together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous Schuylkill County for all.
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