Photo by Amy Cherry
Sen. Arlen Specter (D/PA) met with protesters and local Democratic leaders yesterday afternoon in St. Marys at Gunner's Restaurant.

Veteran senator talks health care, stimulus funding with Democrats.

By Amy Cherry

Staff Writer

ST. MARYS – On Monday afternoon, Senator Arlen Specter (D/PA) met with local Democratic professionals and party leaders as part of his multi-county tour throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.
The meeting lasted nearly an hour and was held at Gunner’s Restaurant in downtown St. Marys.
Specter began his day in Erie with stops in Warren, McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter counties.
Upon his arrival, Specter introduced himself to the crowd of 50 people by providing information about his political career and his upcoming election campaign.
Attendees had the opportunity to pose questions before the senator, which ranged from healthcare, usage of stimulus money and local industry.
Specter addressed concerns of Earnest Mattiuz, government relations director for the Elk County Farm Bureau.
“I’ve been fighting for dairy support my entire tenure,” Specter said.
He noted that he is a member of the agriculture subcommittee of appropriations, explaining the price for the dairy farmer has gone way down from $18 for a hundred weight down to $11.50.
“I co-sponsored an amendment to add $350 million to dairy prices, that’s not enough. We need to support our farmers, they feed us, its the backbone of our economy,” Specter said.
Mattiuz also inquired about the shortage of doctors and medical professionals occurring within the state.
Specter noted that efforts are being made to form a medical school in Scranton which he has helped obtain federal money for it. Recently they want to have a medical school in Lancaster at Franklin and Marshall,” Specter said. “I’ve supported programs to increase our nurses as well.”
Dave Jardini, president of CG Electrodes, voiced his concern that “we’re not seeing much of the stimulus money go through to infrastructure that could help the steel industry and basic manufacturing.”
Jardini explained that CG normally ships 120 truckloads of electrodes a month. However, the last four months they’ve only been shipping 22-23 truckloads.
“We haven’t let anyone go or lose their health benefits, but its awfully difficult for us to keep going like this much longer,” Jardini said.
“You aren’t seeing it because its only six months old and its a two-year program,” Specter said. “There are more funds coming. It is taking time for it to be spent. Now, its paying money for unemployment and Medicare compensation.”
Specter added that to date such as projects as a train station in Elizabethtown, the Philadelphia airport and locks and dams in Pittsburgh have been funded as part of the state’s anticipated $16 billion in stimulus funding. This stimulus money is calculated to produce 143,000 jobs.
“I came here to find out what’s on your minds,” Specter said. “It’s a great pleasure to be in Elk County.”
He also complimented area Democrats on carrying the county for Obama and hopes they do the same for him during the upcoming general election.