Editor’s note: All candidates for Hancock mayor and council were invited to share statements about themselves in this issue of The Hancock News.
Due to a newspaper error, Craig Ziler’s statement was mistakenly left out of the print edition.
Craig Ziler
Candidate for Hancock council
I’m Craig Ziler. I’ve been around this town all my life and have lived here permanently since 2014. I was in the construction business, running my own successful business – Ziler Construction – for 30 years. I also have 25 years of experience with PennDOT and retired as an Assistant County Manager. In that position, I built and met large budgets each year. For more than three years, I was responsible for all state highways in the City of Altoona and county, and had 130 employees under my supervision. I also worked with state and federal funding in this position. My career started as an operator and I worked my way up to management.
My past experience speaks for itself. In addition to working for PennDOT and running my own construction company, I owned and managed a very successful deer farm for 25 years, and also designed and managed Creekside Resort in Clearville, Pa. then sold it.
I’m running for Hancock council for the future of the town. I care about the town and have seen what’s happened to it in the last 30 years. I’m tired of seeing money not spent in the right places. Our tax dollars should be spent on infrastructure to better the town. I will listen to everybody in the town and will work for the residents of the town. I will strive to work with all on the council as one team.
Preston Hall
Candidate for Hancock council
My name is Preston Hall and I am a resident of Hancock. I was born in York, Pa. I was adopted 
after my mom died and went to White Marsh, Md. I graduated from Perry Hall Senior High School, got married and had a son, who is 49. I work at the Potomac River Grill.
I am running for town council and have been going to town council meetings. To make Hancock a better place to live, I would get a sewer treatment plant and a rehabilitation center for drug addicts and alcoholics.
David Kerns
Candidate for Hancock council
I, David Kerns, am seeking re-election and the opportunity and privilege to serve the citizens of 
Hancock as Town Council member. After serving the town in this capacity in this past term, I have learned with hard work and a team that dedicates their time to moving Hancock forward, we can accomplish great things. Our town faces many challenges and we as your council will continue to work together with a common goal to change our future for the better.
Some of our past accomplishments include: three sewer pump stations revitalization, one new sewer pump station with full grant funding, 3800’ of new water line east end of town, Secured funding and schedule for new Wastewater Treatment Plant, full police staff, Town Hall roof, basketball and pickle ball courts, revitalization of old poolhouse bathrooms and Stanley Fulton Memorial Splash Pad.
I would ask the citizens of Hancock to allow me to continue to serve you to the best of my ability. I fully expect you to hold me accountable to the office and relish the trust in me to do as required.
Terry Breakall-Smith
Candidate for Hancock council
Born and raised in Hancock, Terry Breakall-Smith is the youngest daughter of Gary and Shirley Breakall. Terry’s father, Gary, was the Postmaster of Hancock for almost a decade. Their family ran Breakall’ s Flour, Feed and Grocery on Main Street for many years. Service to the Hancock community runs strong in the Breakall family and quickly became a priority for Terry as she grew up in this thriving town. 
Terry attended school at Hancock from Kindergarten through high School graduation and then attended Hagerstown Junior College, now known as HCC. In her early career days, Terry served as a part-time writer/reporter for the local Hancock News.
For over 20 years, Terry worked at Home Federal Savings Bank, which then be- came CNB Bank, Inc. While employed at the bank, Terry worked closely with members of the tri-state area, primarily the residents and business owners of Hancock.
As her children grew to high school age, Terry decided to further her education. She pursued a career in radiology and mammography by attending night classes while working during the day at the bank. Terry graduated from college and, making one of her hardest decisions, left her career at the bank to begin serving a new community in the medical world. Demonstrating her characteristics of a strong work ethic, dedication, and perseverance are instrumental in achieving your goals.
Over the years, Terry has witnessed Hancock move from a booming town full of businesses and activities to a desolate town that houses very few local businesses and minimal options for young families.
She remembers McKinley’s GC Murphy’s, Harry’s PA Avenue Grocery, Stoner’s Florist and many other successful businesses, ensuring the residents of Hancock could get everything they needed right here. Families could support each other and their neighbors. In addition to local businesses, large productions such as London Fog, Fleetwood/Prowler and Ray- loc provided jobs for our residents.
Working locally was also important to our volunteer fire company who relied upon our residents to run fire and emergency calls.
We need to reawaken life in Hancock by focusing on advocating for our existing businesses and families while encouraging and welcoming new businesses and families.
A crucial piece to a successful Hancock is also to build support for our schools. To keep families in Hancock and bring new families to town, there needs to be confidence that children will receive an excellent education and be without fear of our school closing.
Together we will work to strengthen our business atmosphere and support our existing businesses united with a flourishing and successful town of Hancock.
