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6 City Council candidates in primary races for nominations

With three seats open on City Council this year, four Democrats and two Republicans are seeking their party’s nominations in the May 18 primary.

The Democratic candidates are Jeana Longo and Larry Manson and incumbents Liz Miele and David Banks. The Republican candidates are Eric Beiter and incumbent Randall J. Allison.

Banks, of 1306 Hepburn St., a land surveyor, described himself as a fiscal conservative and visionary. He chairs the economic revitalization committee.

“We’re in the process of talking to business owners, health care professionals, and other stakeholders to get an idea of what they believe is needed,” Banks said.

Banks said economic revitalization can create conditions for a more pedestrian friendly city, including calming of traffic, finding places on streets that are hazardous and working with the state Department of Transportation and city officials to correct them and to make it a more pleasurable and enjoyable experience to walk downtown and get from place to place.

To improve efficiency and bring the city up to 2021 standards, Banks pushed for a paperless documentation system at City Hall, enabling those with mobile devices and home computers to access council and committee meetings, request documents and interact with their representatives.

Banks said the city can’t tax and spend any longer toward financial freedom.

“We have to have a long-term and short-term economic strategy and marketing plan and follow through to its completion,” he said.

Longo, of 414 Depot St. is a city-based attorney.

“I live in the city and want to represent the whole city and that includes the under-represented West End neighborhoods and Newberry and Jaysburg,” she said.

“I think my experience as an attorney will help,” she said.

“I represent the interests of people every day in all different courts and I can use those skills to represent the interests of the people of Williamsport,” she said.

Longo cited numerous times when council passes resolutions and adopts ordinances, but noted how there is not much discussion on specific language in these proposals, but rather questions of whether that was reviewed by a city solicitor.

“Changing a word here and there can have an impact,” she said. “As an attorney I have insight to ask those questions.”

After the pandemic, especially, it is crucial to have new members, Longo said.

“I feel the city should be moving in a positive direction,” she said, “because the biggest roadblock to progress is saying ‘We’ve always done it this way,’ ” and “that is not good for the city.”

Longo said any idea brought up on council or by the administration should be backed by the question of how it will improve the quality of life.

“I want to work toward making the city a place where our college students would like to stay,” she said. “The way to do that is to make sure that government is not stagnant and the way to do that is to get fresh approaches.”

Miele, of 525 W. Fourth St., was first elected in 2009.

With the city carrying $1 million in debt each year, it cannot continue to tax the citizens to death, even if those millage increases are slim, she said.

Instead, the council and administration need to work on a citywide strategic economic initiative and marketing plan, one that examines the current fiscal picture and one that creates conditions that enhance the chances for improvement in finances and quality of living standards.

“You have to have an economic initiaitve,” she said, adding that would result in conditions that increase the caliber of housing stock. That can, in turn, translate to a more inviting city, one in which people want to live, work and play. That will draw more professionals and those with the ability to purchase property or pay a higher rental price, she said.

These kind of neighborhood initiatives, which begin at City Hall, result in incentivized residents who take pride in their community, their city, in their properties and engage in their city.

“You want to create conditions in which you are able to bring in small business and to give things for people to do,” she said.

That, she said, is more outdoor recreational activities, quality parks, facilities and programs for children, acknowleging that is important to her as a mother with three youngsters.

Born and raised in the city, Miele graduated is executive chef and co-owner of the Peter Herdic House restaurant.

Miele is the chair of the finance committee and the committee on historic preservation. She serves on the economic revitalization committee and is the city council representative to both the East Third Street Commission and the Williamsport Area Transportation Study committee. During her council tenure, she has also served on the housing needs committee and the public works committee.

Manson, of 621 Lloyd St., has worked at Williamsport Wirerope Works for 20 years.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Manson said he is seeking the nomination to be a “voice” for those who otherwise feel slighted and to bring “fresh ideas” that may not have been thought of as priorities.

“Of course, the fiscal and budgetary needs of the city come first,” he said. But the quality of life should not take a back seat, he said.

Drawing on his experience in Chicago, Manson said the waterfront areas of Williamsport, including Memorial Park, Elm Park and the Susquehanna Riverwalk, reminded him of the potential to draw individuals to a city. Those who walk the parks and trails then shop and dine at area restaurants and food trucks.

“I looked at the beautiful lakefront of Chicago and I can see where that kind of recreational opportunity exists for Williamsport,” he said. “I feel that more residents would appreciate getting to walk in their parks that are fixed up, get some exercise and meditate.”

Manson alluded to the impediments of walking or bicycling in the city.

“Going for a long walk or ride from one area to another shouldn’t be a problem,” he said. “We need to make our area a place of comfort.”

That includes all seasons, including summer and winter, he said.

Manson said the council needs to not only focus on financial matters but on improving living standards.

He said that would be done by council members getting into the neighborhoods, meeting people at block parties — not only for political purposes — but for a sense of community.

As for what his style of governance would be, Manson said he would be a fiscal conservative who would listen and learn while on council. “I will learn and pick up what I need to as I go along,” he said.

Republicans

While first needing their party nomination, based on the primary election rules, Beiter, of 600 Highland Terrace, and Allison, of 1308 Elmira St., an incumbent, automatically will be on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election.

General manager of Beiter’s Home Service Center, South Williamsport, Beiter ran an unsuccessful bid to become mayor in the last election and said while his “mission not position” will be the same — to help taxpayers — he will be a fiscal watchdog.

“The city needs to ensure that it is spending wisely, investing its money properly and moves in the right direction in terms of economic development,” he said.

“We can’t say we can grow our way out of tax problems,” he said.

Beiter said he viewed an urgent need to re-examine regionalization of public safety and emergency services, not only to save money but to provide better service and to put the city on stronger financial ground.

“We can’t keep going to the taxpayer well,” he said.

As a father, Beiter said he also saw the need for a more friendly city in which to live, work and play.

“We need to ensure our streets are safe, parks are clean, playground equipment is working and there are things for families and children to do,” he said.

Allison retired from UGI Inc., the natural gas company. It would be his fourth term to a council seat.

He acknowledged his choice to seek the nomination this year was a struggle, but admitted he had a lot to give, including his years of experience and understanding of complex issues.

Allison said the city is moving toward more regionalization of services, reviewing its budgetary and fiscal needs closely after the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging on the other end with initiatives to improve the economy and neighborhoods.

“We are interacting with state government agencies’ on a number of levels,” he said.

“The city can incentivize developers and business stiumulation,” he said.

Federal stimulus may be able to be used on levee repairs, flood mitigation of Grafius Run and storm water projects, he said.

“I would like to be a part of council to see these and other projects move on to fruition,” he said.

“If I am so fortunate to be elected again, I will lend my experience, understanding and guide the city toward these goals.”

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