NEW CASTLE —
David Freed sees experience as the biggest difference between him and his opponent for Pennsylvania attorney general.
Freed is currently in his seventh year as district attorney in Cumberland County. Before that he had been first assistant district attorney since 2001.
Campaigning in Lawrence County yesterday, Freed, a Republican, said the Democratic candidate, Kathleen Kane, had been an assistant district attorney.
“That’s where hers (experience) ends,” he said.
“It’s my name on the bottom line. I’ve had to make those gut decisions, tough decisions assistants don’t have to make.”
Freed, 42, said his philosophy as attorney general will be “to ensure a level playing field,” and not to pick winners and losers.
“You violate the law, you’ll have an issue with me.”
Freed said he has three immediate priorities.
The first is to establish a unit for special victims — children and the elderly — that will include attorneys, agents and a victim advocate.
The second will be dealing with technology and cyber crimes and the third will be tackling the problem of synthetic drugs, referred to as bath salts.
These drugs “are particularly dangerous,” he said, because people’s reactions to them are “all over the place.” The drugs are sold over the counter, Freed said, adding that “a young person doesn’t need to know a drug dealer.”
He said he is going to work to get these drugs off the street. For a district attorney that is a tough assignment, but the attorney general has the resources and is able to get the federal authorities involved.
Freed and his wife, Amy, have a son, 11, and two daughters, 9 and 6.
(Have you signed up for our free text alerts yet? Get daily weather, breaking news, Friday Night football scores and school news sent right to your phone. CLICK HERE)
Closer Look
Related Photos
-
David Freed
Discussion
Election 2012: Attorney general candidate touts experience
- Closer Look
-
-
Blessing, repairs set for cemetery
The former Harbor Presbyterian Church in Mahoning Township dissolved in 2005. Now all that remains is its cemetery. Harbor Bridge Cemetery has been in existence since 1850. Charles Ellenberger said that at one point, grass had grown so tall there that you couldn’t even tell a cemetery was there.
-
Our Opinion: Lousy voter turnout is a missed opportunity
Tuesday’s primary in Lawrence County had its share of winners and losers. But — based on the numbers — the biggest winner has to be voter apathy. Countywide, voter turnout in the primary was a whopping 17.1 percent. In case you missed it, our use of the term “whopping” is sarcasm.
-
Governor signs bill for health clinic funds
Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law a bill that would provide $4 million for grants for community health clinics with at least 70 percent of that money directed toward the state’s smallest counties.
-
On The Record: Today’s births, police items and district judge reports
On the Record is a periodic update of public information coming out of the Lawrence County Government Center and local police departments. Look inside for the latest listing of police items and district judge reports.
-
Vo-tech budget loses support
Now there are only two. That is the number of school districts that have approved the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center budget for the 2013-14 year after Union board’s withdrew support this week.
-
County starts drug takeback program
Lawrence County’s district attorney is initiating a drug takeback program for local residents to turn in unused or expired medications.
-
Mom’s donates rolls to tornado victims
A local pepperoni roll company has found a way to help victims of the Oklahoma tornado. Leslie Pratt, owner of Mom’s Whole Foods, is sending about 1,700 pepperoni rolls to the ravaged area this weekend to help provide food for the tornado victims as they continue to sift through the rubble of what were once their homes.
-
Photo Gallery: Check out our images from the Shenango High prom!
The pomp. The pageantry. The pairs. The pictures. Yes, it’s prom season once again in Lawrence County and the New Castle News is on hand to document all the fun and excitement. We hope you enjoy our photo galleries! Today, Shenango High.
-
Photo Gallery: Some powerful and heartbreaking images from tornado aftermath
Oklahoma City-based AP photographer Sue Ogrocki was at the Plaza Towers Elementary School, which was destroyed, and saw rescuers pulling children out of the rubble. This is her account of what she witnessed, including some of her most powerful — and heartbreaking — images.
-
Photo Gallery, Story: Laurel senior county’s new dairy princess
The two candidates cross their fingers and the crowd goes silent, awaiting the verdict. And the 2013-2014 Lawrence County Dairy Princess is — Rhonda Mitcheltree!
- More Closer Look Headlines
-
