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City Council Vice President Randall J. Allison, of 1308 Elmira St., has announced he will seek the Republican nomination for Williamsport City Council.
"I am running for another four-year term with the goal of seeing through the continued development of the economic projects that are taking shape in the city, as well as the issues council is working on in order to implement short- and long-term resolutions," said Allison, a lifelong city resident.
"At the same time, we have two very promising economic developments underway," he said, referencing the East Third Street Gateway and Park Avenue revitalization projects involving two of the city's major institutions -- Lycoming College and UPMC Susquehanna.
"The intent is to provide opportunities for private developers," said Allison, who has served as chairman of council's economic revitalization committee since 2014.
The committee, with Penn Strategies, the city's economic development consulting firm, will be identifying other undeveloped and underdevelopment areas of the city going forward as well, he said.
"In all of these endeavors, we will be including the surrounding residential neighborhoods in the plan for improvements and input from residents," Allison said, ensuring such community input remains a vital component to any plans moving forward.
The city has many challenges ahead, he said.
"Meeting our financial obligations while making every effort to not further burden the taxpayers is at the top of the list," he said, adding the primary factors include employee salaries, benefits and pension obligations.
"We also have to deal with state and federal government mandates related to the Chesapeake Bay cleanup, storm water management and recertification of the levee system, as well as our normal infrastructure maintenance," Allison said.
The city remains in a transition period with the expected retirement of John Grado, the city Community Development director and city engineer. The recent hirings of the director of recreation and human resources and the change in culture of the police department with a new chief and the infusion of younger officers in the rank and file are among these changes.
As such, one of the most important initiatives that police and firefighters, for example, have begun is engaging on a greater scale and in different ways with the community, Allison said.
"Engaging with the community outside of regular public safety activities creates a relationship with our community that leads to greater understanding for everyone," Allison said. "While not without its problems, I believe the future of Williamsport has the potential for great success."
While on council, Allison has served on the public safety, public works and housing needs committees. He has been on the finance committee since 2010 and council vice president since 2016.
Allison served on the Williamsport Area School Board from 1985 through 1997 and was elected board vice president in 1990 and served as board president from 1991-1993.
Allison was elected to council in 2009 and re-elected in 2013.
In addition to elected service, Allison has been involved in the community, having previously served seven years on the board of the Pregnancy Care Center of the Susquehanna Valley. Since 2010, he has been on the board of STEP Inc.
Allison graduated from Williamsport Area High School in 1969. He went on to attend the University of Notre Dame from 1969 to 1970 and Lycoming College from 1970 to 1972 and 1985 to 1986. He and his wife of 42 years, Debra, have four children and four grandchildren. He has been employed at UGI since 1978.