ALLENTOWN – Four residents are running for two three-year terms on the Allentown Borough Council in the Nov. 6 election. All four are independent candidates. The two winners will serve terms running from January 2019 through December 2021.
The candidates who are seeking to serve on the governing body are Linda Cotte, Michael Drennan, Thomas J. Monahan Sr. and Robert Strovinsky, who is currently a member of the council.
Campaign signs posted around town indicate that Cotte and Strovinsky are running as a team and that Drennan and Monahan are running as a team.
For this election preview, each candidate was asked to provide a statement describing their reasons for seeking office and their thoughts about serving Allentown’s residents.
Cotte did not respond to a request for a comment.
Drennan said, “For over 25 years, I have had the pleasure of living and raising a family in our wonderful community. My wife, Kerry (now deceased) and I raised two wonderful daughters here. I know firsthand the importance of preserving Allentown’s historic charm and character for future generations and families. In addition, for 30 years I worked as an accountant, and when not at work, I was spending time with my family and volunteering to coach my daughters’ sport teams. I personally witnessed the importance of channeling the talents and energy of our youth in a positive direction.
“I am currently a member of the Recreation Commission, advocating to increase recreational activities and youth programs during evenings and weekends for the children and adolescents residing in Allentown.
“My career as an accountant with Chanel will provide me with the monetary foundation to ensure our tax dollars are being spent in an efficient and fiscally prudent manner on necessities for our community. Increasing tax rates need to be curtailed. I am currently pursuing a certified residential appraiser’s license, which I will use as a member of the council to better assess matters involving vacant homes and zoning issues confronting our community.
“My mission as a member of the council will be to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency in the business of local government. In addition, to the best of my ability, I will curtail the infighting on council and bring goodwill/unity to the community. Further goals include reducing traffic congestion, improving pedestrian safety, maintaining the historic character of Allentown, preserving a greenbelt (undeveloped land) immediately around Allentown, keeping Allentown affordable for lifetime residents, building the waste water treatment plant, and completing the long-awaited parking lot project in the business district,” Drennan said.
Monahan said, “My wife and I have been residents of Allentown for the past 26 years and developed a tremendous appreciation for the historic character and sense of community found in Allentown. We have raised three children in Allentown, all of whom graduated from Allentown High School. I attribute much of their successes in life to the values instilled in them growing in our beloved community.
“I am a career rescue medic who works for the New York City Fire Department. When I am not on the job serving the residents of New York, I am volunteering and serving the residents of Allentown. Currently, I am a volunteer firefighter with Hope Fire Company and a member of the Allentown Planning Board.
“As a member of the the Borough Council, I will continue to serve the community and fight on behalf of Allentown’s residents to preserve the historic character/charm of our community, keep Allentown affordable by responsible fiscal spending, work to resolve the issues of the stalled sewer plant completion, restore transparency in the operations of the council, finish the stalled municipal parking lot in the business district, reduce traffic congestion and increase pedestrian safety. I am confident, through hard work, perseverance and visionary leadership, I will be able to accomplish these goals on behalf of friends and neighbors and fellow residents of Allentown,” Monahan said.
Strovinsky said, “I have been a resident of Allentown for 24 years and employed with Ericsson Inc., as a telecommunication project manager for 28 years. My years as a resident and my work background have been an asset for me as a councilman.
“I am currently overseeing the start-up on the grant funded Phase 2 Streetscape Project that encompasses improvements to sidewalks and curbs along Church and North Main streets, as well as applying for additional grants to improve other roads in the borough.
“Over the past three years, I have led multiple projects in the borough, including tree installations along the pathways in Heritage Park and the Church Street
parking lot, the Lakeview parking lot expansion and planting, the Pearl Street parking lot cleanup/paving, the installation of holiday lighting in our parks, the Farmer Park gazebo roof replacement, and new street signs and storm drain repairs,” he said.
“Over the next three years, I will continue to explore options for additional parking for residents and visitors to Allentown with minimal to no cost to our taxpayers. I will tackle the issues we have with the traffic flow through our borough streets, and look at controlling truck traffic with the use of better Interstate 195 highway signs to ensure that warehouse drivers follow the correct route to reduce their presence in our town.
“Finally, I will continue to support our police, first aid and fire departments by providing them the support they need to secure new equipment to ensure their safety when performing their jobs for our community. Committed to community sums up what I’m all about,” Strovinsky said.
