Bruce A. Nalesnik announces candidacy for state representative

Bruce A. Nalesnik of Nesquehoning has announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 122nd Legislative District. He is seeking the Democratic nomination. Nalesnik has served as the Coroner of Carbon County for the past 15 years, currently serving his fourth consecutive term.

"After discussing this candidacy with my family, vital business owners in the area, and key Democratic leaders, I have received encouragement to pursue this seat. I will strive to continue the excellent level of service that Keith McCall has provided to the citizens of Carbon County through his established offices, and follow in his footsteps as a legislative leader in the House of Representatives.

"There are some very challenging times ahead of us as citizens of Pennsylvania due to the economic climate. Difficult decisions lie ahead with regard to balancing the budget, yet we cannot stop trying to lighten the burden on our working people and senior citizens. Property taxes continue to burden everyone, including homeowners and business owners alike. People cannot afford to buy existing homes or build them, often due to prohibitively high property taxes. Businesses refrain from expanding and adding to their workforce because of these additional perpetual costs. I support the idea of eliminating this archaic and unfair form of taxation in favor of replacing this system with multiple streams of revenue from different sources."

A two-time Navy veteran, he first served in the Navy Medical Corps, initially as a Hospital Corpsman, gaining certification as an EMT. He then pursued advanced schooling, becoming a Psychiatric Specialist. He was a member of the elite Navy "SPRINT" team, which conducted rapid psychiatric intervention for military disasters. For his efforts, upon honorable discharge, he received letters of commendation from the Navy and Coast Guard, and was nominated for the "Sailor of the Quarter" award.

Following the events of 9/11, Nalesnik rejoined the U.S. Naval Reserves in the war on terrorism, becoming an Intelligence Specialist, attached to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and specialized in Human Intelligence (HUMINT), serving under Reserve Intelligence Area (RIA) 16 out of Willow Grove, PA and Ft. Dix, N.J.

A magna cum laude graduate of the Tidewater College of Virginia, Nalesnik also graduated with honors from the Northampton County Area Community College with a degree in Funeral Service Education. He is a licensed funeral director and is the owner and operator of the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home in Nesquehoning for the past 20 years.

During his terms in office, Nalesnik has modernized the Coroner's Office by obtaining new photographic equipment, new radios, and instituted a computer software program for the proper creation and retention of reports.

He also conducted the first coroner's inquest in over 35 years, obtaining a guilty verdict on a questionable death case, which then led to a guilty plea by the defendant to the county District Attorney's Office.

Nalesnik has also worked as a Chassis Sales Engineer in the Fire Apparatus Division at Kovatch Mobile Equipment for over 20 years, working on large government and city contracts and bids, chassis specifications and procurement, and product development.

He is a member of the Nesquehoning Lions Club, where he was a past president, treasurer and zone chairman. He also belongs to the Nesquehoning American Legion.

In 1998, he received the Business Man of the Year for the Nesquehoning V.F.W. Post for his outstanding service to the community.

In 2007, he had the distinction afforded him by Northampton Community College as one of their Top Forty Alumni. NCC set their diamond criteria for the accolade based on leadership in their field, establishing a high profile, making an impact in their field, being successful (not in monetary terms) and in some way giving back to their community. NCC stated, "It takes a fine mix to make a community and to make it work well takes the best. For forty years, Northampton's best have helped make their community work."

Nalesnik was appointed by the Carbon County Board of Commissioners to serve on the board of directors of the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Drug and Alcohol Commision, and served as treasurer, vice-chairman and two terms as chairman.

He is a charter member and current chairman of the Carbon County Child Death Review Team, overseen by the Pa. Dept. of Health and whose mission is to investigate the circumstances of the death of any Carbon resident aged 18 years and under to determine if the death was preventable in any way.

Nalesnik is a member of the Pennsylvania State Coroner's Association, the Nesquehoning Democratic Club and the Carbon County Democratic Executive Committee.

He belongs to the American College of Forensic Examiners and is certified in death investigation by the State Attorney General's Office. He has continued his education in that field with over 60 credit hours of instruction.

Born and raised in Nesquehoning, he is a son of the late Steve and Lillian (Vannicola) Nalesnik. He is a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Nesquehoning. He is married to Koreen (Fritzinger) Nalesnik, formerly of Slatington, who is a school teacher in the Tamaqua School District and serves as a school director on the Panther Valley School Board. The couple has two daughters, Tayler, 12, and Delana, 10.

"I feel that the culmination of my experiences in the private sector as a business owner, an employee of a major corporation in the county, and as a county official has given me a keen insight into the issues facing us today and the challenges of tomorrow," Nalesnik said.