By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
ALLENTOWN – What began as a one-person race for two seats on the Borough Council now appears to be a field of seven candidates.
Two three-year terms on Allentown’s governing body will be up for grabs on Nov. 8. The seats held by incumbents Robert H. Schmitt Jr., a Democrat, and Madeline Gavin, an independent, will be available. Their terms will end on Dec. 31.
The deadline for Republicans and Democrats to file to run for office was April 4. At that time Schmitt was the only person to file a nominating petition.
An individual who wants to run as an independent candidate had until June 7 to file a nominating petition.
In the June 7 primary election, Schmitt’s nomination as a Democratic candidate was confirmed. Phyllis Dutko and Staciemarie Toth Falotico received write-in votes in the Republican primary to secure spots on the Nov. 8 ballot for the GOP, pending certification of the election results by Monmouth County election officials.
And, four residents filed to run as independent candidates for council. They are the incumbent councilwoman, Gavin, along with John Elder III, Jessica Fitzgerald and Thomas Fritts.
Monmouth County officials estimated that about 26 percent of the 1,381 registered voters in Allentown participated in the June 7 primary.
The current council is evenly split among Democrats Angela Anthony, Wil Borkowski and Schmitt, and independents Robert Strovinsky, Johnna Stinemire and Gavin.
Mayor Gregory Westfall is an independent.
