The battle for the 5th Congressional District representative raged on last night, marking the first public forum where all three candidates addressed issues concerning Central Pennsylvanians.

Centre County Republican Glenn Thompson, Clearfield County Democrat Mark McCracken and Venango County Libertarian James Fryman gathered at the Centre County Grange Encampment and Fairgrounds at 7 last night.

About 140 people attended the Grange Fair Forum, hosted by WPSU-TV. The forum opened with a brief introduction by Penn State geography professor and Center for Policy Research in Environment, Energy and Community Director Amy Glameier who offered insight on several issues.

Each candidate was given the opportunity to respond to questions gathered from community members before the event. Topics ranged from the statewide initiative to toll booths on I-80 and the status of jobs for future working generations to health care and No Child Left Behind reforms.

All candidates were in agreement concerning the possibility of tolling I-80, individually stating it would have huge negative effects on Central Pennsylvania's economy.

"We've been contributing our share of gas tax ... I want that to stay there so it can reinvest in highways. It's a commonwealth problem and we need a commonwealth solution," Thompson said.

State College resident of 10 years, Rod Kelchner, said he had not met any of the candidates and wanted to listen to their platforms in person.

"Too many generalities, not enough specifics for me; too many cliches, too many worn out statements that I've heard, but I understand they can't solve the problems," Kelchner said.

Without stating who he would be voting for in November, Kelchner said, "I'm a Republican."

Another topic the candidates addressed in detail was the energy cost difficulties many senior citizens will face this coming winter.

"Many senior citizens on fixed incomes are feeling very strained from energy," Glameier said, explaining some senior citizens may need to choose between buying food, paying for prescription drugs or heating their homes.

"No one should have to make that decision," McCracken said.

He offered a solution to the energy crisis, stating communities need to come together to help one another and oil-alternative sources need to be considered, such as cellulosic-based ethanol, wind, solar and nuclear power.

Cindy Pasquinelli, of State College, said she was glad the candidates were able to address a variety of topics during the forum, specifically the issue of education reform.

"One topic near and dear to me is the No Child Left Behind policy currently in place. I think there should different ways to measure success. I was happy to hear a lot of different ideas," Pasquinelli said.

Candidates concluded the forum by answering questions from the audience, which sparked debate over foreign policy.

"It is rather arrogant to think humans could have such an effect on the plant," Fryman said in relation to global warming. "It seems like volcanoes have had more of an effect on the climate than humans have."

In the final question on Iraq foreign policy, the candidates were challenged to state their positions on if they agreed with the government's reasons for entering Iraq, if they agreed with the way the war has been executed, and if they support an immediate withdrawal timeline.

McCracken and Fryman agreed with both, saying they did not agree with the reasons for entering Iraq, the Iraq tactic, and both supported an immediate withdrawal. Thompson held the opposite stance on all three points.

Penn State Professor Emeritus Arthur Goldschmidt attended the forum and said he was surprised to see so many people in attendance, but was unimpressed overall.

"I'm not very impressed. I learned some things, but I don't think any of the candidates were at their best tonight," Goldschmidt said.