SUNBURY– For one local politician, four years is enough. After just one term, Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy says he will not run for re-election. Bridy, who ran as an independent in 2012, says he met the goals he set for his time in office.
Bridy says he is also a “firm believer” in term limits, which led to his decision not to run. He would be eligible after another term to collect a government pension. He believes, however, that this is not good government.
Nevertheless, Bridy says it was not an easy choice, “It was a very difficult decision and one of the main reasons I did wait so long to announce was my supporters were starting to drag me back into running again. Unfortunately, I think that may be a trap, if you will, against what my ideology is- which is you serve the best of your ability…and then you go home. These aren’t supposed to be lifetime, long term commitments.”
The Commissioner believes the two party system is not only hurting local government but national politics as well. Bridy hopes that his term will pave the way for future third-party candidates. He says that with, “Two libertarians running, additional independents…I think that is somewhat a result of the success that I had as running as an independent.”
As for the future, Bridy, who has a degree in economics from Susquehanna University, has received job offers but did not elaborate. (John Brunner)