SHAMOKIN - R. Craig Rhoades, of 815 N. Shamokin St., is running for mayor of the City of Shamokin.
Now in his sixth consecutive term on city council, he has been director of accounts and finances, vice mayor, director of parks and public buildings, and currently is director of public safety.
Rhoades is a 1970 graduate of Shamokin Area High School and Northumberland Area Vocational-Technical School. He is a 1973 graduate of Williamsport Area Community College with a degree in carpentry and business management. He is state-certified as a fire suppression instructor through Bucks County Community College, Luzerne County Community College and Harrisburg Area Community College.
Rhoades is certified as a hazardous materials technician, fire officer I and II, firefighter I and II, trench rescue technician and structural collapse technician and EMT. He holds several certifications for residential building construction.
Rhoades was Shamokin's fire commissioner for 10 years. He was assistant fire chief from 1985 to 1988 and fire chief from 1989 to 1990. He was a member of Shamokin Housing Authority for 20 years, many of which were spent as chairman. He was a member of Northumberland County Land Preservation Board. He also served as deputy sheriff of Northumberland County under Robert Kearney. He is actively involved with the safety and rules committee for Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area.
Rhoades is a life member of Liberty Hose Company, a member of the Six-County Fireman's Association, a member of Travelers Protective Association, serves as committeeperson for the City of Shamokin in the First Ward and was past exalted ruler of the Elks.
Rhoades has been active in the Lutheran Church all of his life. While a member of Trinity Lutheran, he was president of church council for many years and served on several church committees. He is now a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Shamokin.
Rhoades and his wife were involved with the PEACE Student Exchange Program for five years. They hosted students from Venezuela, Ecuador and Mexico.
Rhoades is married to the former Pamela Lerch. He has a son, Jason Purcell, from his first marriage to the former Bobbi Willis, who is deceased. With his current wife, they have three daughters, Christina Pavlock, Sabrina Matukaitis and Cynthia Stemrich. They also have eight grandchildren, Henry, Amelia, Myra, Coen, Eli, Asayliyah, Rosslyn and Conrad.
As a member of city council for the past 22 years, Rhoades said he has worked very hard to improve the community and is proud of the following accomplishments: improving record-keeping and the city's computer technology, providing better fire protection to the citizens of Shamokin by purchasing several new fire fighting apparatus and obtaining grant funding to bring firefighter training to our volunteer firefighters, modernizing recreational facilities, and improving the police and street departments with updated vehicles and equipment.
Rhoades stated, "We cannot continue focusing on the past but must set a positive direction for the future."
As mayor, he said he will use his 43 years of experience operating a successful contracting business to give the taxpayers the leadership they deserve. He said he will work to keep city spending in check in order to provide the best for the citizens. He will be the driving force in organizing council members to work towards improving the city and restoring the image of "our great community."