ALLENTOWN – Four residents are seeking two three-year terms on the Allentown Borough Council in the Nov. 7 general election.
The current terms of council members Wil Borkowski and Angela Anthony, both Democrats, will end on Dec. 31.
The candidates seeking election are Borkowski, Anthony, John A. Elder III and Thomas Monahan. Elder and Monahan are independent candidates.
Anthony has lived in Allentown for 19 years. She joined the council in 2012 and was re-elected to a second term in 2014. She is a local Realtor.
“I am proud to have kept my campaign promises to ‘Beautify the Village’ and to preserve Allentown by renovating the Main Street streetscape and forever preventing development on 2.5 acres to create the new Sgt. George Ashby Memorial Park.
“During the last three years this effective group, including newly hired professionals and staff, has accomplished more than over the past 20 years. The reality is that we have a lot more to finish over the next three years to get this town back on track, fixing all the infrastructure issues to include parking, traffic problems, controlling taxes and continually updating our technology,” she said.
“Three years ago, I discovered a new communications grant expiring. I contacted our police and staff to complete the purchase of new equipment. Now, our borough has operated for the last three years with new communications equipment paid for with this grant. I lead the new website development which
informs our residents daily. I chair the finance committee which is essential to controlling our spending costs.
“This election is about who is capable of overseeing these projects, keeping us on track, within budget and not allowing us to regress. Our current council team is without a doubt in my mind the best qualified and willing to put in the hours to do that,” Anthony said.
Borkowski has been a resident of Allentown for more than 17 years. He is serving the final year of an initial term of office which began in January 2015.
“I helped preserve Breza Road. I understand how school, county and local taxes affect us, and why I need to continue to be vigilant to control costs wherever they arise. With the council, I am working to remove the state designated map that directs large truck traffic into Allentown.
“My experience in construction, supervision and maintenance affords me to know how to find solutions while working with all the members of the governing body. The $800,000 in grants used for the Phase I streetscape project was a tremendous success and boost to the town.
“Phase II streetscape grants total over $1.2 million and we will begin designing the project in early 2018. I am also working with the council to complete the Lakeview/Waker parking lot project that was not ready in 2014,” Borkowski said.
“We now see five of the borough’s 12 vacant buildings sold or up for sale due to the vacant building ordinance that was passed in 2015. We are moving in a direction to see all 12 buildings bought and restored.
“With over $2 million in new grants coming in the next two years, I will work to see that the Phase II streetscape, the public parking project, the sewer plant and water system repairs are completed on time and within budget with little to no impact to the taxpayer.
“The borough’s website has made a great impact informing our residents. So much progress has been made and will continue with a council that continues to listen and engage,” he said.
Elder and his family have lived in Allentown for 42 years.
“The quality of life found in Allentown is precious and needs to be preserved for future generations,” Elder said.
“It will be my mission as a member of the Borough Council to preserve the remaining open space on its borders; assure Allentown is affordable for all its residents; improve pedestrian/traffic safety; expand parking availability in the business district; and restore fiscal responsibility.
“My educational background in economics and personnel management combined with my career as a manager in a federal agency provides me with the foundation to serve the residents of Allentown as a member of council in a dignified and fiscally prudent manner. Taxes are too high and revenue needs to be better managed,” Elder said.
“In addition, my current service to the community as a member of the senior, traffic and sewer committees combined with my prior experience serving as chairman/commissioner on the Environmental Commission provides me with added insight of the many issues that remain unresolved in our community that need to be tackled by the council,” Elder said.
Monahan said he and his wife have lived in Allentown for 25 years and appreciate “the historic character and quality of life found in the community.”
“We are the proud parents of three children who we have raised in this treasured village. My career as a paramedic with the Fire Department of New York, as well as my background as a volunteer firefighter and former president of the Hope Fire Company is evidence of my commitment to community and public service.
“I am confident that as a member of the Borough Council, I will continue to serve the residents of Allentown in a manner that will bring integrity, fiscal responsibility and transparency to local government. The welfare of Allentown and its residents needs to take priority over personal property and business interests of a few.
“Additionally, as an elected member of council, I will fight on behalf of Allentown’s residents to lower tax rates, increase traffic/pedestrian safety, expand parking availability in the business district, protect open spaces from commercial development and preserve the historic charm of our village,” Monahan said.
