SHAMOKIN - There are five candidates aiming to join Shamokin City Council next year who are competing for their party's nominations in Tuesday's primary election.
Four of the candidates are Republicans, which have just two party nominations to spare.
Bob Gilligbauer, Barbara Moyer, Charlie Verano and the lone incumbent, Bill Strausser, are all seeking nods from the Grand Old Party.
Barring any surprises, the winners will face Democrat Scott Anderson in November's general election. Anderson is unopposed in Tuesday's primary.
The Democrats also have two nominations, leaving the door open for someone to be named to November's ballot if they receive 100 write-in votes.
What image do the candidates believe is being projected by the City of Shamokin?
"Right now, not a very good one," said Anderson, 49, of 31 N. Diamond St. "I think we need to look at our tax base as far as getting everybody on board, and I mean everyone."
Agitated by a class of citizens he believes are abusing public assistance, Anderson spoke of creating a "fair share tax" that would apply only to city residents who are without a job and pay little in occupation taxes. He admitted collecting the tax could prove difficult but that "we need to start collecting revenue from them."
Gilligbauer, 47, of 312 N. Rock St., believes dilapidated and dirty properties, particularly at the city's entry points, are a detriment not only to the city's image, but to potentially attracting investors.
Friends of his were interested in acquiring properties at a bargain and came to Shamokin to see what was available. "But as soon as they came down Shamokin and Sunbury streets, they're automatically turned off," he said. "That's why I want to get these blighted properties taken care of."
Gilligbauer acknowledged accusations previously made against him regarding vehicles stored on two lots at his Spurzheim Street garage. Critics say they've contributed to a blighted image of the neighborhood; he says the vehicles belong to customers that are in line to be repaired. An enclosed carport will soon be erected to store the vehicles, he says, keeping them out of sight.
Moyer, 65, of 130 E. Sunbury St., expressed the most positive view of the city's image, believing outsiders continue to hold a good impression of Shamokin. In her travels, she said she has often bumped into others with fond memories of the area, or people who have family and friends here.
The image, however, has become tarnished, she said. There is little in the way of jobs and blighted properties continue to afflict the local landscape. It has resulted in the city's youth working to seek a way out of town instead of putting down their own roots in Shamokin.
"Many young people get a good education at Shamokin Area but they leave because it's very difficult to make a living to support a family," Moyer said.
Strausser, 77, of 124 Birch St., is seeking a second term on council. He had spent 38 years as the city's clerk and another 10 years as its controller.
Shamokin's leaders are working to move the city forward, he said, but limited finances compound that challenge. Property taxes are maxed out and can't be raised any higher, and many people living within the city aren't paying taxes.
"Finances are limited and we're trying to do everything we can to bring more money into the city," Strausser said.
Verano, 56, of 1006 N. Pearl St., was frank in his thoughts of the city's image: "Right now, the town, in my opinion, is a dirty mess."
The entry points into Shamokin must be cleaned up, he said, and investments need to be made into the downtown area. Residents, business owners and landlords, both local and out-of-town, must all pull their weight and take care of their properties, Verano said.
"They had the right idea when they started using the police force to issue citations," he said of the year-old policy of issuing $25 tickets for code violations. "I think we should use more of that."
What have the candidates identified as the biggest issue facing the city?
For Verano, the answer to the question is three-fold: blight, finances and Independence Street.
To grow the city's revenue, it must first be cleaned and fixed; specifically, the downtown area along Independence Street. He suggested City Hall pursue grant funding to invest in downtown infrastructure like sidewalks, and to "spruce up" the area to make it more attractive to prospective business owners.
The makeover would be "major," and expensive. But he suggests approaching it in phases. "We won't know unless we try it. I think we owe this to the people of Shamokin."
Keeping with finances, Verano said hiring should be frozen unless there is an emergency, and employee raises must be kept in check. Those deserving of a raise should be awarded, but within reason.
"We go to court every year to keep that (property) tax high and what do we do? We turn around and vote a raise in. I don't think that should happen," he said.
Finances are the biggest issue, says Strausser, and he's proud of what the city's employees accomplish on such a limited budget.
"We're doing everything we can to help the city, to promote the city with the finances we have. We just aren't getting enough revenue," he said.
Growing revenue means being more aggressive in collecting taxes, delinquent or otherwise. He referred to city council and the mayor voting in favor of hiring a firm earlier this year to survey a portion of the city towards correcting the tax rolls and collecting more taxes.
The budget is thin and there's no place to cut spending, he said, outside of reducing the cost of the city's health care plan. A consulting firm was hired earlier this year to do just that.
"Where else can we cut? We're bare bones now."
The biggest issue, according to Moyer, is revitalization.
"That, to me, is the link connecting to all other challenges that our community faces. We have to really love where we live," she said.
Blight must be addressed, with emphasis on the entry ways of the city, and resources must be sought toward restoration or demolition.
A partnership is needed between City Hall and Shamokin's merchants, Moyer said. Together, ideas can be had and steps taken toward beautifying the downtown. Enhancing the downtown's aesthetics, even through simple measures like flower boxes, could go a long way.
"I think when merchants feel supported in the needs they have ... that encourages them to hang in there, do better, develop ideas themselves about how they can make their businesses more attractive."
The city should also look to partner with organizations with experience and resources for community development in order to consult Shamokin on how to leverage its own resources, even if they are limited, toward a revitalization effort.
For Gilligbauer, the biggest problem is blight.
"The city wants to get the place looking good, the first place you have to attack are the dilapidated properties. They're the biggest eyesore," he said.
His solution regarding blighted properties that are held in county repository: buy them for $1, fix them up or tear them down. And do it by hand.
Gilligbauer says manual work could come cheap in the way of prison labor and volunteers. Recycling or selling materials during demolition would offset costs. Upgrading a blighted property to code would enhance its appeal on the housing market, and it could also land it back on the tax rolls.
"You can get a lot of properties torn down by hand working with the county and the prison board getting prisoners to do that," he said.
Anderson said, "The City of Shamokin is dying."
There is growth in neighboring Coal Township, but Shamokin's growth is stagnant. What's needed, he said, are jobs.
The key to that is enticing entrepreneurs to the city in the hopes of not only creating jobs but also getting an empty building back onto the tax rolls, he said.
His hope is that the city could foster a competitive retail environment, perhaps from department stores or grocers.
"There's plenty of opportunity but it's attracting the right one to be a magnet to bring then next one in," he said of recruiting businesses to the city.
And if a building is beyond repair, it must be demolished. What also must be torn down are the fire-damaged properties left standing throughout the community, he said.
Pay, benefits
City council members receive an annual salary of $3,249.96 and also are eligible to enroll in the city's health insurance plan. The candidates had varied answers to whether or not they would accept salary or benefits.
Gilligbauer staunchly opposes taking them. He said anyone elected as mayor or to council should decline them, as he's pledged to do. He said, it would "save a large lump of money."
Anderson, too, said he wouldn't accept the pay or enroll in the city's health plan. "The city could put the money to better use," he said. "I would be working for free."
Verano said he would look into the cost and impact of accepting the salary and health benefits. If the "people of the city" are opposed to funding it, he said he'd vote in favor of abolishing it altogether.
Strausser is enrolled in the city's health plan. He said he pays $100 monthly toward the cost to the city, which he estimated at between $600 and $700 each month. He's retired and widowed, he said, and "I personally don't think that's a lot for serving."
Moyer said she wasn't aware until recently that there was a salary or benefits. She has her own benefits, she said, adding that "I can't imagine that I need the city's benefits."
Other commentary
Moyer pledged to immerse herself in the city's finances and bring new ideas and a fresh look to Shamokin's fiscal initiatives.
"I'm not a tax attorney. I'm not an accountant. I have a general idea of where we stand and I know it's not good," she said. "As a member of city council, I would analyze and become more informed on the financial situation on what has worked in the past and what we need to do to find solutions."
Shamokin is not alone in its struggles. Other communities have similar issues. Moyer said Shamokin should turn to its neighbors - to Sunbury, to Danville, to others - to seek advice.
Ultimately, she said, the city's residents must feel good about where they live.
"I think that Shamokin is a place that we cherish in our memories and in our minds, and I want it to be more than that," Moyer said. "I do believe better days are in our future with hard work. I'm an optimist."
The city is applying for grant funds to expand upon the improvements made at Claude Kehler Community Park at Arch and Third streets. Strausser said that's one sign of the city's push to move forward and beautify the area.
There's much to embrace about the city. The park plots along Market Street are unique and attractive, he said, and the community swimming pool is an asset that provides an outlet for Shamokin's youth. He also spoke of the American Legion Building downtown and the pending grant application that could bring $3 million in repairs and upgrades to the historic structure.
Strausser said his value to the electorate is his experience.
"I know what makes the city run. ... I'm honest. I try and do a good job. I'm there just about every day to see what's going on and how it's going."
Verano supports seeking grant funds, though he is concerned about those that require a large matching amount. Those funds could be redirected to other areas of the city that also need to be addressed, he said, such as the aging equipment in the street department and vacancies in the police department.
He said the street department accomplishes a great deal given its equipment and its minimum staffing. An investment in that department could improve its project results.
A push must be made to engage the city's youth in civic projects in an effort to foster and restore pride, he said. They can work to clean playgrounds, easing the burden placed on the street department.
"I want the residents of the City of Shamokin to be proud of their community. ... I want them to come to the meetings," Verano said. "I'm running for change. We need a change."
Grant funding could be an asset in improving the city, Anderson said, and revenue must be increased in order to meet any obligations that require matching funds.
He referenced the construction of the stone channel of the Shamokin Creek and other Works Progress-era projects in the city many decades ago that put people to work. The federal government, he said, must return to such initiatives. It would help people without jobs learn a trade and boost their chances of finding steady work.
"I'm an inexperienced person just looking to try to give some different ideas. You hear a lot of negatives on the street and nobody really wants to put their foot in the door and say, well, let's try it this way," Anderson said.
With the Kehler park having been upgraded and with plans in the works to enhance it more, Anderson said it must be put to good use, encouraging residents and organizations to host block parties and other events at the site.
He said there is too much fighting amongst the city's elected officials. They must work together and must work for the common good. "The little nitpicking needs to go away and we need to get some progress done."
Under Gilligbauer's watch, he said he would work to put a stop to any large employee raises moving forward. In fact, he supports reconsidering the pay for some positions.
When it comes to increasing revenue, he's open to non-traditional ideas. One of his, he said, is working with the school district and Coal Township to host concerts and other events at Kemp Memorial Stadium, with the entities splitting the proceeds. Such an idea, if successful, would also be incentive for out-of-towners to come to the Shamokin area.
The city must work to find all landlords operating in Shamokin and ensure they're paying a registration fee, and all landlords should be required to hang their licenses in a window on the property listing tenants in event of an emergency, he said.
He believes council members and the mayor should survey portions of the town to learn who's living where, and to bolster the tax rolls, and not pay a contractor to do that work.
"There's so many things the city can do to not spend money foolishly and generate money," Gilligbauer said.
To lure business people into the downtown, he proposes offering tax breaks. The city should also consider gradually replacing the existing street lights with energy efficient LED lighting, he said. Also, he thinks the city should rid itself of parking meters.
"The city has to be run with more thought," he said. "You have to treat it like you're using someone else's money, not your money."