Williamsport resident Jonah Milliken is seeking one of three open seats on City Council in the Nov. 4 General Election.

Milliken, a Democrat, joins candidates who include Liz Miele, incumbent Democrat; April Line, a Democrat; Eric Beiter, incumbent and Republican; David J. Dussinger, Republican, in the race.

Each of the candidates answered the same two questions.

What do you see as ways to increase revenue and lower expenses as the city faces a projected deficit to be at least $3 million or higher in 2026?

“Step one is gathering all the information available, and that is exactly what the Council has done through the Public Financial Management group,” Milliken said.

“PFM recently delivered its sobering report, and it turns out that $3 million deficit is really a $5 million deficit,” he said.

“As a homeowner, I want a safe and vibrant Williamsport–with strong neighborhoods, thriving small businesses, and great parks–but I also don’t want to go broke paying even higher taxes,” he said.

“That means responsibly cutting expenses, strengthening relationships with Harrisburg, and pursuing external grant funding to offset costs,” he said.

“Just as importantly, we must work with our state legislators to modernize the laws that govern third-class cities like Williamsport, so we have more flexibility to manage revenue fairly and sustainably,” Milliken said, adding, “Ultimately, we have to reverse population decline by making Williamsport a place where families want to stay, new residents want to move, and businesses want to grow.”

What way can the city improve its codes enforcement and ensure money invested for residential, commercial, and industrial blight mitigation happens?

“Through intentional relationship building,” Milliken said.

“We have some incredibly beautiful homes in the heart of Williamsport and I am proud to live here, but it drives me crazy to see homes in disrepair, or trash accumulating in the yard, or that brick apartment building on Hepburn at confusion corner that has been boarded up for ten years after a fire,” he said.

The Codes Department should be seen as a partner to our community, not as a boogeyman, he noted.

“There is no magic solution to improving codes enforcement, but I know step one for me is to get to know Gary Knarr and anyone in the Codes Department, and to get to know the Redevelopment Authority, and to continue to connect with the people of Williamsport. As a council member (if given the opportunity), my role is to help Codes staff and the RDA connect with homeowners, landlords, and business owners – because when those partnerships are strong, I believe that the money we invest in blight mitigation is used efficiently and actually results in revitalized properties, not stalled projects,” Milliken concluded.