A heartfelt “thank you” to all of my supporters
I’d like to thank my campaign team, my donors and supporters for all of their hard work and enthusiasm during my campaign for the Cambria County Prothonotary. I also thank the many Independent and Democrat voters who also supported me. Even though I’m disappointed by the election results, we ran a very commendable, robust and spunky campaign. As a newcomer with little name recognition, it was a great experience and a great campaign run.
*Election results can be viewed here.
There were several offices uncontested in this election, and it’s incredibly important we ensure all of our candidates actively campaign so our voters and taxpayers are well-informed, and so we promote an atmosphere of responsibility and accountability. All taxpayers deserve to know just how their tax dollars are used, who their candidates are and what, specifically, these candidates can bring to public office. We hope to continue to engage our younger voters and leaders, as well. We really need to hear from them as we continue to pursue how to make Cambria County prosperous and enticing for our younger working families; Cambria County has a great deal to offer.
We also have younger leadership ready to assist with our mutual goals as we move forward. Let’s embrace our newly-elected officials and do our best to help them during this transition time. Let’s work together for a better Cambria County!
Congratulations to all our election winners, and I wish you the best as you move forward with your endeavors.
Dawn Rager
November 14, 2011
What office am I running for?
I’m running for the office of the Cambria County Prothonotary as part of TEAM CAMBRIA. TEAM CAMBRIA candidates are: Doug Lengenfelder and Mark Wissinger (Cambria County Commissioner candidates); Tom Leiden (candidate for District Attorney); and myself. I’m honored to be running alongside these highly qualified candidates. I strongly believe we have the skills and experience Cambria County desperately needs!
I’m a life-long Conservative Republican and I’m very concerned about the direction our local, state and national elected officials are leading us. I believe the growth of our communities (and the nation) thrive only in a free market and “business-friendly” environment where government plays a very minimal role. Much of our accumulated debt is directly associated with the many inefficiencies and WASTE generated from our local, state and national government. TEAM CAMBRIA consists of experienced fiscal conservatives with a proven record of successful and creative problem-solving strategies.
I also believe we need to get back to honoring our Constitution, STATES’ RIGHTS and our founding principles of LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS as outlined in our Declaration of Independence.
What does the Prothonotary do?
The Prothonotary is the keeper of the civil records for the court system. The office is responsible for the creation, maintenance and certification of matters pending or determined by the Court. The office is also responsible for reporting and collection duties to state agencies.
Why am I jumping into the election process?
I attended a campaign event for a local congressional candidate in early 2010, and I was hooked! I (like so many others) was getting increasingly upset with our local, state and nationally-elected officials; I decided I wanted to take on a more active role in our election and political processes. Unlike so many who just complain on the sidelines, I want to be part of the solution – not part of the problem! I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines while others make important decisions (often forgoing their campaign promises) about how my taxes are being spent and utilized. I’m also very frustrated with elected officials who seem to conduct business privately, claiming the constituents are just too uneducated and apathetic to understand the political system and processes. ENOUGH!
How can I make a difference?
As a newcomer into the political process, I believe I can provide a fresh and new perspective. I believe I can be a strong voice for those who have been overlooked (like so many of our younger working families). For far too long, we’ve had career politicians in office who seem to get by with the status quo — while many of their constituents are struggling in these hard economic times. Public office IS NOT an entitlement because of years served! It’s time we elect PROVEN problem-solvers to tackle and OVERCOME some of Cambria County’s oldest problems (including but not limited to): high unemployment and low wages.
“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
– Albert Einstein
Are YOU tired of the insanity? I am!
What can I DO, specifically, as the Prothonotary?
While I may not be able to directly assist in the creation of jobs, I can certainly help with support by providing our important offices (and the public) with the information they need in a timely fashion. Good decisions require good information!
My specific goals include:
- Evaluate the current system of maintaining civil records to identify where and how we can make improvements to better streamline information.
- Work fervently with the state and local agencies to make systems more user-friendly and information-relevant to customers’ needs.
- Cultivate & grow a positive and productive working relationship among the Prothonotary Office, other offices, agencies and the public.
While campaigning, I’ve learned a great deal about the public’s knowledge of the Prothonotary. It seems the public is NOT very knowledgeable about the office of the Prothonotary and so I ALSO PLEDGE to better educate the public about this office, the responsibilities associated with it and how this office can benefit the average citizen. As employed by you, I feel it’s my duty to REPORT TO YOU. YOU DESERVE TO KNOW just how YOUR TAXES are at work.
What are my qualifications?
*I’m a professional technical documentation specialist! I also have previous experience generating reports for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
- I’m a long-time resident of Cambria County, graduate from Westmont Hilltop High School ‘90 and IUP ‘94 (with a BS in Corporate Communications: Education and Training).
- Hard-working blue collar family background and I reside in Richland Township with my husband, Chuck Rager Jr., and our 12-year-old twin daughters, Kayla and Kimberly. I’m currently employed as an hourly Activities Coordinator for an assisted living community and my husband, Chuck, is a Fabricator/Welder.
- Professional technical documentation and communications experience with a background working with software applications and related training and support.
- A Founding Director, former Chairwoman and Spokeswoman for the Windber Area Community Kitchen (W.A.C.K.) – a non-profit organization comprised of over 100 individuals, businesses and organizations coordinated to provide home-cooked meals to those in the community and surrounding neighborhoods.
- Strong faith-based values and Community Outreach Team Member and Certified Lay Speaker at Richland’s Bethany United Methodist Church. I’ve also been very active in music ministry with my husband, Chuck.
- Strong supporter of our Pro-Life, Pro-Second Amendment and Pro-Sportsmen values.
My final thoughts….
I believe I have the professional education and credentials to successfully manage the office of the Prothonotary. I’m also an energetic, proven leader and problem-solver within the community. I’m proud to represent the younger of our county’s constituents and voters, and I believe it’s time we support new and younger leadership at our county level — especially if we desire to keep our younger families in this great area.
It’s time we put politics aside and elect new AND PROVEN leadership (with a new set of eyes and “real world” experience) to conquer some of our county’s very old problems. BI-PARTISAN POLITICS is the ONLY WAY! We truly owe it to our children and grandchildren to carefully review our candidates and their platforms and NOT JUST VOTE FOR A PARTICULAR PARTY OR IDEOLOGY. We can’t afford (literally) to do this any longer, friends. I thank you for your careful consideration and vote.
I hope to be a part of “the DAWN of a new era” for Cambria County… Let’s work on uniting our county and let’s propel Cambria County FORWARD!
Click here to view my campaign trail pics.