October 26, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Ray Masters
Phone: 717-476-1530
E-mail:   gail4rep@mailexcite.com
Website: http://www.angelfire.com/pe/gail4rep
 

POCONO TOWNSHIP, PA - With one week left before the November 3rd general election, Gail Mastroberte and supporters are asking the voters to "send this nurse to Harrisburg."

Mastroberte, 46,  has been a registered nurse since 1982 and has seen first-hand how government involvement in the health care industry has distorted prices, stifled innovation and caused a breakdown in the patient/doctor relationship.

"In the same way, government involvement in every aspect of our lives has caused a greater apathy toward politicians and the whole electoral process," said Mastroberte.  "It has distorted the way we deal with each other, whether at home, business or pleasure."

Mastroberte noted that it has reached the point where no area organizations sponsored debates or candidate's night were incumbents and challengers got to square off.  "In the past, many fine Monroe County groups in the 189th District held such forums, but this year none have stepped up to the plate to allow the candidates to express their proposals or platform," said Mastroberte.

"Is it possible that people are sick of politics, or is there lack of interest in the free flow of ideas?" asked Mastroberte.

The candidate took the opportunity to ask,  "why is Representative Battisto taking sides in the Gruppo/Bascola state senate race, or even commenting on the Clinton/Lewinsky affair for the Allentown Morning Call, but does not have the desire to discuss with his sole challenger ideas that effect our everyday lives in a free and open forum?"

Mastroberte answered ALL candidate questionnaires from such a diverse lot as Gun Owners of America and Common Cause of Pennsylvania.  "These groups were interested in my opinion, but other county groups, with the sole exception of the League of Women Voters of Monroe County, were not."  Project Vote Smart and Common Cause had failed to receive answers from Battisto.  Vote Smart gave the 8-term representative a failing grade for not responding.

Mastroberte lauded WVPO, Blue Ridge Cable 13 News, Pocono Record and Pocono Post for the coverage that they are giving to her candidacy. "They are providing a true community service."

Mastroberte will be hosting two more internet chat sessions on October 26 and November 2.  She encouraged all interested individuals to take advantage of these two opportunities from the privacy of their homes to speak directly to the state representative candidate.  "People deserve answers to real-life situations.  I am willing to discuss how individual liberty and why free-markets can solve many of the problems which face our district and state."

The chat session begins at 7pm and can be found at www.angelfire.com/pe/gail4rep.
According to her campaign manager, Ray Masters, "she is calling as many voters as possible to remind them to vote in the coming election.  We have reached at least 250 area businesses through the internet urging their co-workers, friends, neighbors and family to vote for Gail.  We have received many positive responses."

Mastroberte is a nursing supervisor at Pleasant Valley Manor in Syndersville.  She has been married since 1982 and has two homeschooled children.  The family has lived in Pocono Township since 1986.