The Herald Mail
A Republican candidate for state treasurer visited Franklin County, Pa., on Thursday to meet with government leaders and later stopped by the Shippensburg (Pa.) Fair.
Diana Irey Vaughan has been a county commissioner in Washington County, Pa., for 17 years. She said she wants to bring successful techniques from her home county to the state.
Irey Vaughan, who talked with reporters after meeting with Franklin County Treasurer Dave Secor, said she also is learning about financial practices used in other states.
Pennsylvania needs to meet the pension obligations it has for public employees, but changes need to be made to the system, Irey Vaughan said.
Pennsylvania’s pension system is woefully underfunded, and Moody’s Investors Service lowered the state’s bond rating because of it, she said.
“People are concerned about the election coming up,” Irey Vaughan said. “They’re concerned about debt.”
Franklin County Commissioner Bob Thomas said he has worked with Irey Vaughan for years in their roles as commissioners.
“I’m very proud to have her here in our county,” he said Thursday.
“Because we’ve been in office for so long, we’ve seen (economic) highs and lows,” Irey Vaughan said.
Secor said he was happy to sit down with Irey Vaughan on what was her second visit to Franklin County.
“I think she’s terrific. She’s going to make a great state treasurer,” he said.
Irey Vaughan’s husband, Lt. Col. Robert Vaughan, joined her at the press event. He returned home from Afghanistan on Father’s Day.
Irey Vaughan said her three children are young adults and she wants them to have good opportunities as they further their education and enter the work force.
Irey Vaughan’s opponent in the Nov. 6 general election is Robert McCord, a Democrat fromMontgomery County, Pa.
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