The five candidates for Jessup Borough Council hope to draw businesses to their community, revitalize aging buildings and improve borough management and amenities if voters let them keep or take the office.
Four current council members and a newcomer are competing in the Democratic primary for four spots in the general election.
Many see promise in the industrial park located within the borough's borders and aim for renewal downtown.
The four incumbent candidates said they want to build on past successes.
"We're just trying to grow our economy and keep our taxes as low as possible," incumbent Maggie Alunni said. She said she would like to encourage business investment along the borough's main thoroughfares.
"We have a lot of beautiful architecture and they were all once businesses," she said. "I would like to see them utilized in that capacity again."
Incumbent Jim Brunozzi said citizens can see the results of council's work in a recent $3 million paving project and industrial park buildings that will soon be added to the tax rolls after a 10-year grace period.
"The council's been working very close with the Scranton Chamber on bringing jobs to our industrial park," he said. "We're moving this town forward."
Newcomer Michael Gasper said he would like to maintain public safety by increasing the police presence in the borough while "holding a line on taxes."
"I'm a person for the people," he said. "If you've got a concern, I'll check into it for you."
Incumbent Nick Marino wants to bring curbside recycling to the borough and hire a borough manager who can streamline town business and win grants the community has otherwise let "slip away."
"There are a lot of things that go on day to day and a lot of people are volunteering their time," he said. "If you hire a professional, you have somebody to watch the works."
He said he expects the position to pay for itself from increased grant income.
Incumbent Joseph Mellado hopes to entice more businesses that pay higher wages to fill open space in the industrial park.
"I'd like to see the town grow and bring in more industry with higher-paying jobs," he said.
Contact the writer: llegere@timesshamrock.comMaggie Alunni
Age: 65
Family: Husband, Tom; daughters Lee Ann and Jamie
Education: Jessup High School
Employment: Teller at First Liberty Bank & Trust
Address: Jessup
Experience: 12 years on borough council
Top issue: Keep the economy growing
Jim Brunozzi
Age: 72
Family: Wife, Joyce; children Robin, Jill, James Jr. and Heather; six grandchildren
Education: Jessup High School
Employment: Retired state employee
Address: Jessup
Experience: 28 years on borough council
Top issue: Bring more jobs into the borough
Michael Gasper
Age: 55
Family: Wife, Cynthia; sons Adam and Nicholas
Education: Valley View High School
Employment: Plant worker at the Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority
Address: Jessup
Experience: Member of the Carbino Club
Top issue: Increased police presence
Nick Marino
Age: 53
Family: Wife, Laurie; children Tony, Nicole and Gina; four grandchildren
Education: Valley View High School
Employment: Contractor, restaurant owner and operator of commercial and residential rentals
Address: Jessup
Experience: 20 years on borough council
Top issue: Hiring a borough manager; offering curbside recycling
Joseph Mellado
Age: 53
Family: Wife, Carol; daughter, Cassandra
Education: Valley View High School
Employment: Welder/fitter at Standard Iron Works
Address: Jessup
Experience: Four years on borough council
Top issue: Bring businesses into the borough