With most of the gubernatorial candidates having participated in multiple public forums prior to the African American Chamber of Commerce event April 29, there was little chance anyone would hear something new.

But independent candidate Robert Mansfield, an African-American U.S. Army veteran from Phila­delphia, took that little chance and ran with it as far as he could, which led to a few raised eyebrows from those previously unexposed to Libertarian viewpoints.

AIRING DIFFERENCES—State gubernatorial candidates prepare to make opening statements during the candidates’ forum at the Rivers Club. From left: Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, independent candidate Robert Mansfield, state Auditor General Jack Wagner, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams and state Attorney General Tom Corbett.

“The old way is over. We need a ‘new normal,’” he said. “We need less regulation and less tax. We should phase out business taxes by 2016.”

MAY 5—Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato will host a Senior Celebration in the Park from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the South Park Fairgrounds, South Park. This celebration is part of Older Americans Month. The theme is “Live Strong! Live Long!” There will be free screenings, live entertainment, giveaways and more. Registration is requested. For more information, call 412-350-3428.

When Marilyn Hall first started losing her sight to Retinitis Pigmentosa, she could cope. She was in her own home and had children to help. Now, however, her children are grown, she is divorced and living in an apartment, and her disease has progressed to the point where she cannot read her mail, pay bills or do laundry without help.

DO THE RIGHT THING—Urban League of Pittsburgh President and CEO Esther Bush asks legislators not to cut human service funding to nonprofits when the need for services is increasing.

Thanks to Catholic Charities’ Neighborhood Based Services program, she gets that help. But she may not for much longer. Mid-year state budget cuts have already forced service reductions and if the next budget is not delivered on time or reduces allocations to nonprofits further, Hall could be dropped from the program entirely.

On May 1. Pennsylvania State Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr. challenged his opponents, former City Councilwoman Tonya Payne and school board member Mark Brentley Sr., to participate in several public debates.

“The time has come for the voters of the 19th Legislative District to hear directly from the candidates for the Democratic nomination for their state representative in a series of debates throughout our community,” said Wheatley in a press release.

The challenge was to hold the public debates now through May 18, the day of election primaries at various locations within the 19th Legislative District they are running for.

As of this time, neither challenger has responded to Wheatley’s request.