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BORN: Oct. 27, 1952, Wilkes-Barre EDUCATION: Kings College, B.A., 1977; Golden Gate U, M.P.A., 1980; U.S. Naval War College, M.A. 1992 FAMILY: Divorced; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Army, 1970-75, 1977-96 OCCUPATION: Army officer (ret.) POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 166 Willow Street, Wilkes-Barre 18702. Tel.: 717-824-4041
Urban, who left the Army in January after 24 years of service in Vietnam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, has decided to turn his hand to politics. In the spirit of providing leadership that is responsive to the electorate, he has circulated his own nominating petitions and asked his prospective constituents to tell him what issues are important to them. Urban says that, with all his years dealing with the Pentagon and negotiating Department of Defense red tape, he is qualified for the House.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The people around here need some leadership and they want a change...I think I have enough experience and I am aware of the issues."
BILL CHOBY (R) District 12 (Southwest--Johnstown)
BORN: April 23, 1951, Johnstown EDUCATION: U of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, B.S., 1972; U of Pittsburgh, D.M.D., 1976; Virginia Tech, M.P.A., 1988 FAMILY: Divorced; two children RELIGION: Christian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Dentist; health-care consultant POLITICAL CAREER: Republican nominee for U.S. House, 1990, 1994 ADDRESS: 1905 Bates Drive, Johnstown 15905. Tel.: 814-255-7779
Choby, in his third run, is challenging John Murtha's big-money projects as "pork barrel" and "government handouts" that have not given needed invigoration to the local economy. His solutions include a moratorium on income taxes for the poor, repeal of capital-gains taxes for the middle class, and no tax deductions for health care.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "We need a Congressman who understands that an unencumbered private sector driven by individual risk takers and fueled by low interest rates will create jobs."
JOHN MURTHA (D) District 12
BORN: June 17, 1932, New Martinsville, W. Va. EDUCATION: U of Pittsburgh, B.A., 1962 FAMILY: Wife, Joyce; three children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Marines, 1952-55, 1966-67; Marine Corps Reserve, 1967-90 OCCUPATION: Car wash owner POLITICAL CAREER: Democratic nominee for U.S. House, 1968; Pennsylvania House, 1969-74; U.S. House, 1974 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1091, Johnstown 15907. Tel.: 814-539-8196
Again defending his seat against Bill Choby, the 11-term Murtha could revive an old campaign slogan for this race: "John P. Murtha...the P is for Power." A ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, he has a reputation for using influence to benefit his district; to wit, when the 12th suffered major flood damage this year, Murtha helped four counties get federal disaster-relief assistance.
THE ISSUES