Only One Seat Contested in Supervisor Races in Pine and Richland Townships

With one exception, all the Pine and Richland board of supervisors candidates in Tuesday’s election are incumbent Republicans running unopposed.

In Richland Township, Democrat is challenging 24-year veteran for the at-large seat on the township’s board of supervisors.

Incumbents and  are running unopposed in Richland. Kendrick represents Voting Districts 1 and 2; Allen represents Voting Districts 7 and 8.

In Pine Township, incumbents , and are running unopposed for the at-large seats on the five-member board.

Dankmyer vs. Sarabok

In this quiet race, the candidates have not campaigned extensively, engaged in contentious debates or spent a lot of money on campaign materials.

 is running on his record as a 24-year member of the Richland Board of Supervisors, of which he is chairman.

“I stand on my record of being here for 24 years,” said Dankmyer, pointing to improvements to township roads, parks and sewers during his tenure while raising taxes has been a rare occurrence. He also noted that the supervisors have adopted a comprehensive plan and updated the township’s zoning ordinance.

is emphasizing term limits in his campaign, and said he believes voters should have a choice when they step into a voting booth.

“I feel strongly about term limits,” said Sarabok. “We should have term limits at all levels of government.” Sarabok said he did not think the framers of the Constitution planned on creating career politicians.

Republican vs. Democrat

In a township that is overwhelmingly Republican, Sarabok said he knows that running as a Democrat is a challenge. He received the endorsement of Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire and said he sees himself as a moderate Democrat.

“People think you’re going to raise taxes” if you’re a Democrat, he said. “Whether it’s true or not, you get that rap.” He said he did not plan to raises taxes.

Dankmyer noted that he has voted to raise taxes only once, and it was so long ago he could not remember in which year that happened.

Dankmyer’s Bio

Dankmyer lists his occupation as the manager of community and organization relations. He has served on volunteer management boards and committees for community-related and not-for-profit organizations -- Bakerstown Presbyterian Church, Hosanna Industries, Richland Swim Club, Richland Girls Softball, North Hills Council of Governments, Northern Regional Police Board; volunteer service on various intergovernmental cooperative study committees at the Allegheny County, Butler County and township levels, according to his bio.

He was educated at Shaler Area High School, Edinboro University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Sarabok’s Bio

Sarabok works as a health care administrator for UPMC and is an instructor at Butler County Community College.

He has more than 24 years in financial and operations management of small to large businesses; positions on several boards, including the Ethics Committee at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and the Alumni Advisory Board at Penn State, according to his bio.

Sarabok has an associate of science degree in nursing  from Jefferson College; a bachelor of science in health administration from Penn State University; and an MBA from Waynesburg University.

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