KULPMONT - Nicholas P. Goretski III is a candidate for Kulpmont Borough mayor.
Goretski, 59, is married to the former Cynthia Rossi for 35 years this August. He has three adult children, Nicholas IV, Rachel and Julia.
His son, Nicholas, is married to Tara Kozel, an elementary school teacher in Hazleton. Julia is married to Robert Bogutskie, and Rachel will be wed to Carl Starkoski this August. Both Robert and Carl are members of the Heavy and Highway Construction Workers Labor Local Union 158.
Nick worked 15 years in construction for Plumbers, Pipefitters and Welding Local Union 520. He was injured on the job and became disabled. Instead of staying on disability, he worked as state Rep. Robert Belfanti's adminstrative assistant for 22 years.
Goretski previously served three terms on Kulpmont Borough Council and was elected mayor in 1994.
As mayor, he pushed to restore Roosevelt Court, which has receved several awards from state and federal governments for its use as a senior citizen complex to cover the cost of a nursing school and other medical programs, at no cost to the taxpayers. It is now also the home of Geisinger Medical Center's LIFE program.
Goretski said that as a result of the years spent working with Belfanti, he was able to acquire state and federal grants, including $60,000 plus for the borough's police force and two new buildings for the Mike Terry and Ralph Miriello sports complex - a concession stand and a field house. He also worked on getting housing grants jointly with other neighboring communities, for residents to refurbish their homes.
Goretski has served as a member and chairman of the Northumberland County Housing Authority. During Gov. Ed Rendell's term, he was appointed to the Governor's Advisory Board for Fish, Game and Conservation. As vice president of the Easten Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandonded Mine Reclamation, he was one of the founders of the Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance, which is cleaning local streams and waterways.
He has also served on the joint sewer authority, is a life member of the East End Fire Company and the Jan Sobieski Club, and is a Fourth Degree knight in the Knights of Columbus.
Most recently, Goretsko was appointed to SEDA-COG, a public organization which deals with issues related to economic development, community life and the environment.
"Our country in general is at a tough time in its history," Goretski said. "Wars, terrorists, natural disasters, but worst of all, our young being gunned down. These children are our assets of the future. Even our faiths have been challenged by the corruption of our children by their peers. Now is the time we need to bring our community together, working with one another. Each step we take is a step forward to improve our quality of life. No one person can do it, but together we can succeed. No false promises just cooperation and action. As public leaders, we must listen to those who put us in office. If you support me, I will listen and work to make Kulpmont a community you can be proud of and dedicate my time to all its residents," he said.
