Rep. Peterson Has Mixed Emotions
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
After nearly 40 years in public office, Congressman John Peterson says he is retiring with "mixed emotions."
Peterson represented the 5th district for six terms in Congress, but decided not to seek a 7th term this year. He says he has no firm plans for the future, but will be spending time with his family and working around his Victorian home and two-acre flower garden.
"I leave office with very, very mixed emotions. I'm not tired, I'm not sick, I'm not out of gas," Peterson said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "I don't think these are jobs you should hold for life. … I think a good turnover in a legislative body is healthy."
Peterson, who turns 70 on Christmas Day, says he believes he has been a strong voice for rural issues in Congress. He says he tried to get people to work together on issues including economic growth, rural health care and technology education.
He says be believes his successor, Glenn Thompson, will be an advocate for rural Pennsylvania as well.
Peterson says one of the most important issues facing the country is energy. He says the U.S. needs a broad-based energy policy that can't be built around renewable energy sources just yet.
"You can't stop using coal, oil and gas because you want to switch to renewables that aren't ready to supply you affordably," Peterson says.
He says energy is "still an under-valued issue … and now we have to watch the new administration."
On the state level, Peterson says he will still continue to oppose putting tolls on Interstate 80 if Governor Ed Rendell and/or the Legislature go in that direction again.
He adds that he would be willing to work with an organization to disband the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and "fold it into" PennDOT.
Peterson says he set out to be a businessman before getting involved in politics. He served in the state House and Senate before being elected to Congress.
He says what he'll miss most about politics is the debates.
If you debate an issue long enough you're likely to do the right thing," Peterson says. "I thnk today we have far too little debate, far too little discussion that the public gets involved in."
"I love the discussion of issues," he says. "I will miss that very much."
WESB/WBRR News Director
After nearly 40 years in public office, Congressman John Peterson says he is retiring with "mixed emotions."Peterson represented the 5th district for six terms in Congress, but decided not to seek a 7th term this year. He says he has no firm plans for the future, but will be spending time with his family and working around his Victorian home and two-acre flower garden.
"I leave office with very, very mixed emotions. I'm not tired, I'm not sick, I'm not out of gas," Peterson said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday afternoon. "I don't think these are jobs you should hold for life. … I think a good turnover in a legislative body is healthy."
Peterson, who turns 70 on Christmas Day, says he believes he has been a strong voice for rural issues in Congress. He says he tried to get people to work together on issues including economic growth, rural health care and technology education.
He says be believes his successor, Glenn Thompson, will be an advocate for rural Pennsylvania as well.
Peterson says one of the most important issues facing the country is energy. He says the U.S. needs a broad-based energy policy that can't be built around renewable energy sources just yet.
"You can't stop using coal, oil and gas because you want to switch to renewables that aren't ready to supply you affordably," Peterson says.
He says energy is "still an under-valued issue … and now we have to watch the new administration."
On the state level, Peterson says he will still continue to oppose putting tolls on Interstate 80 if Governor Ed Rendell and/or the Legislature go in that direction again.
He adds that he would be willing to work with an organization to disband the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and "fold it into" PennDOT.
Peterson says he set out to be a businessman before getting involved in politics. He served in the state House and Senate before being elected to Congress.
He says what he'll miss most about politics is the debates.
If you debate an issue long enough you're likely to do the right thing," Peterson says. "I thnk today we have far too little debate, far too little discussion that the public gets involved in."
"I love the discussion of issues," he says. "I will miss that very much."
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