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Mercer has started at square one to work
for the people of Wolf Township.
Marie is an example of the new political activism that is growing out of the Obama Presidential Campaign. Marie was an active member of the East Lycoming County Obama Campaign team. She served in many key capacities including Communications Officer and Phone Bank Coordinator. She got involved in the Obama campaign because she “knew our country needed a major change.” Much to her surprise she found she enjoyed going door to door and talking with people about the need for change. She says: “I was thrilled to be a part of that historic effort. My running for Wolf Township Supervisor is an extension of that intensive and rewarding effort.”
Marie decided to run for Wolf Township Supervisor because she feels it is also time for change in Wolf Township. She says: “We are at a pivotal point with regards to the natural gas boom, housing development, increased road problems, noise, and quality of life issues. She has heard from residents that their access to Township Supervisors is limited and problems are not getting resolved promptly.
As a political rookie Mercer had only a vague idea of where to begin. She says: “I found that the process is amazingly simple and absolutely free. I contacted the Lycoming County Voter Registration Services who I found to be very helpful and always patient with my novice’s questions. They provided the petition form and I got 15 signatures of Wolf Township Democrats. Only 10 are required. That and a simple financial information form was all it took to get me on the ballot for the May 19 primary.”
Her next challenge was letting people know about her candidacy. She says: “This is a particularly daunting task in Wolf Township because there is no single gathering place where I can speak with residents. I try to go to local church dinners and special events but attendees may be residents of Hughesville, Picture Rocks, Tivoli, and Muncy rather than Wolf Township.” She and her friends will be calling Democrats in the Township to remind them to vote in the Primary in May and again in November. Later, in the summer, they will do door to door canvassing. She doesn’t have a budget so she will rely on friends to help her make flyers, signs and buttons.
Marie has a background in Social Work Management. She was the director of Community Development for the Special Kids Network at the Lycoming County Crippled Children’s Services. “I developed projects such as the Memorial Park Accessible playground in Williamsport. I had a 12 county region targeting children with disabilities. Later, I worked as Consultant for Lycoming Country Health Improvement Coalition’s Children’s and Youth Task Forces.“ Prior to settling in this area Marie directed programs for state and national agencies, retiring as director of U.S. and International Adoptions for Pearl S. Buck International.
Marie is currently retired, but stays active in her local community. Marie is a member of the Lycoming County Museum. She volunteers at her church and especially enjoys working with teenagers, who she feels currently receive no attention in Wolf Township. Marie also enjoys reading. She says a recent book she enjoyed was: “The Day Wall Street Exploded” the story of the 1920 dynamite explosion on Wall Street by Beverly Gage.
Marie and her husband Charles have been in Wolf Township since 1995. They enjoy traveling throughout the country to visit their 5 adult children and 12 grandchildren. They also enjoy biking and working out at the new Y.
Marie is the only Democrat on the ballot for the seat of Wolf Township Supervisor, so her real challenge will come in the November election when she faces the Republican Candidate. As a Democrat, Marie must contend with the challenge of campaigning in an area considered a Republican stronghold. But Marie is not discouraged by her up hill battle. She’s been impressed with the network of active Democrats who she believes will be key to her upset win in November.