Council members vie for Dem nod in 120th District quick INFo

May 11--Two borough council members on the West Side are running for the Democratic nomination to represent the 120th Legislative District.

West Wyoming Councilwoman Eileen Cipriani and Edwardsville Councilman Gary Mack have both touted their municipal accomplishments during the campaign.

Kingston resident Aaron Kaufer is unopposed in the Republican primary. Wyoming Area School Board member John Bolin plans to run as an independent and make the November contest a three-candidate race.

The incumbent, Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, is retiring this year and won't seek a 13th term. Cipriani was a legislative assistant for Mundy, and records show Mundy's campaign committee donated $21,000 to Cipriani's campaign in February.

Mack teaches math and algebra at Wyoming Valley West Middle School. His top campaign issue is property tax reform, which he said "ties into finding an equitable and fair way of funding public education."

Cipriani said her key issues are "education and the lack of family-sustaining jobs." Both support the Act 76 proposal to eliminate school property taxes and make up the revenue loss by increasing sales and income taxes.

Both want to help fund education by imposing an extraction tax on natural gas drilling. Both want to increase funding for state universities and community colleges.

"We must continue to invest in our greatest asset, our young," Mack said.

Cipriani said "all areas of education funding from early childhood through higher education will be a priority."

Both support increasing the minimum wage in the state.

"I support bringing family sustaining jobs into the 120th incrementally to a living wage of $10 an hour," Mack said.

Cipriani wants to raise the hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10.

"You shouldn't have to work three jobs to stay above the poverty line," she said. "It's a matter of fairness, and it would generate economic growth if minimum-wage employees had more money to spend and did not depend on government services funded by tax dollars to survive. In addition, improving the economy, along with education is a way to reduce crime."

Cipriani said she supports universal background checks for gun purchases and a ban on sales of assault weapons.

"I support the rights of hunters and sportsmen to own and use firearms," she said. "But how can we keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill without such background checks? I believe banning military style assault weapons is reasonable."

Mack said he supports the right "to legally and responsibly own firearms" and universal background checks.

"Unfortunately, it isn't the lawful gun owners that are the concern," he said. "Any meaningful dialog of gun safety should include comprehensive gun safety programs, investing into local law enforcement, and our mental health systems and our schools."

Both oppose privatizing the state's liquor store system.

"At a time when are facing a budget shortfall, privatizing one of best performing assets is short sided," he said. "Our focus needs to be modernizing our system to generate more revenue for the state, so we can close the shortfall."

Cipriani said she backs "modernization of our liquor system to make the purchase of wine and beer easier for consumers," explaining extending Sunday hours and other steps to modernize could provide an additional $125 million this year.

"We have suffered significant revenue losses due to changes in consumer spending habits such as online purchases," she said. "Selling our state store system would cost us millions of dollars in pure profit each year that is sorely needed to fund our budget priorities.

Abortion rights

Cipriani: "Within the confines of Roe v. Wade, I support the rights of women and their families to make personal, private decisions like this without government interference."

Mack: "Abortion should not be used as a method of birth control. As of May 1, 2014, a woman must receive counseling and wait 24 hours prior to having the procedure. Most insurance carriers, including ACA and public funding, cover abortion under the following three instances: life endangerment, rape, or incest. The highest court has ruled on this, and I respect that."

Collective-bargaining for public school teachers

Cipriani: "I support last best offer binding arbitration for school contracts. That would force each side to be reasonable in its demands knowing that the arbitrator might not choose their offer if it is unreasonable."

Mack: "I support the collective-bargaining process, and the right to strike, as it ensures a fair and equitable contract."

Same-sex marriage

Cipriani: "I support equal civil rights for all our citizens regardless of their gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. I support laws to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."

Mack: "Religious aspects aside, no one should be discriminated against when it comes to marriage. Most gay/lesbian life partners are more concerned with health benefits, and to be entitled to retirement and pension benefits."

Legalizing marijuana

Cipriani: "I support the use of marijuana to relieve human suffering, but I am not convinced that we should authorize its use for recreational purposes. Medical marijuana has proved effective in the treatment of cancer, glaucoma, seizures, Multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and numerous other medical conditions."

Mack: "We cannot deny the science that supports the use of medicinal marijuana, and it's the science that should dictate our decision. I cannot support recreational marijuana at this time without more research."

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State Representative of the 120th Legislative District

Term: two years

Base Salary: $84,012 a year

Represents: the townships of Exeter, Jackson and Kingston and the boroughs of Courtdale, Edwardsville, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Swoyersville, West Pittston, West Wyoming and Wyoming.

Gary Mack

Age: 55

Hometown: Edwardsville

Education: BS Elementary Education, MS Education and Education Leadership

Experience: 25-year educator, two-term councilman in Edwardsville, Vice President of the West Side Council of Governments, Luzerne County Youth Aide Panel Member.

Family: Fiancee Deborah Somerville, parents Len and Joan Mack.

Campaign website: friendsofgarymack.com

Eileen Cipriani

Age: 50

Hometown: West Wyoming

Education: BS Medical Technology, Bloomsburg University; MS Organizational Management, Misericordia University.

Experience: Rep. Phyllis Mundy district staff legislative assistant; West Wyoming Borough Council for six years -- four years as president; Founder and president of the West Side Council of Governments.

Family: Married to Joseph Cipriani for 25 years. Two sons David and Michael Cipriani.

Campaign website: www.ciprianiforstaterep.comSeat: State representative of the 120th Legislative District

Term: two years

Base Salary: $84,012 a year

Represents: The townships of Exeter, Jackson and Kingston and the boroughs of Courtdale, Edwardsville, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Swoyersville, West Pittston, West Wyoming and Wyoming. Gary Mack

Age: 55

Hometown: Edwardsville

Education: BS Elementary Education, MS Education and Education Leadership

Experience: 25-year educator, two-term councilman in Edwardsville, Vice President of the West Side Council of Governments, Luzerne County Youth Aide Panel Member.

Family: Fiancee Deborah Somerville, parents Len and Joan Mack.

Campaign website: friendsofgarymack.com

Eileen Cipriani

Age: 50

Hometown: West Wyoming

Education: BS Medical Technology, Bloomsburg University; MS Organizational Management, Misericordia University.

Experience: Rep. Phyllis Mundy district staff legislative assistant; West Wyoming Borough Council for six years -- four years as president; Founder and president of the West Side Council of Governments.

Family: Married to Joseph Cipriani for 25 years. Two sons David and Michael Cipriani.

Campaign website: www.ciprianiforstaterep.com

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