Hallinan in, Hayes out in Dunmore Council race

Challenger Tom Hallinan ousted incumbent Dunmore Councilman Michael Hayes in Tuesday's all-Democratic primary race, while the other two incumbent councilmen won their party's nominations for three four-year seats.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting Tuesday, incumbent Councilman Timothy Burke was the race's top vote-getter, followed by Mr. Hallinan and incumbent Councilwoman Carol Scrimalli. The trio received 60.4 percent of the votes together.

Mr. Hayes and challenger Damon Bowen trailed.

In the campaign, the incumbents spoke of council's role in stabilizing the borough's finances over the last few years and emphasized the need for continued fiscal responsibility.

Reached by telephone on Tuesday night, Mr. Hallinan said he believed the public was receptive to his message of improved public safety, including his own experience with road maintenance and advocacy for maintaining or increasing the borough's police force.

"I came up short, but I will continue to push initiatives to move this community forward," Mr. Hayes said after the results were in.

Mr. Hayes said he will continue to organize a neighborhood watch initiative "with or without council's help or approval."

Contact the writer: kwind@timesshamrock.com, @kwindTT

Council

✔ Timothy Burke (D) 1,788

✔ Tom Hallinan (D) 1,715

✔ Carol Scrimalli (D) 1,639

Michael Hayes (D) 1,208

Damon Bowen (D) 1,204

Dunmore School board

✔ Michael Sig Hallinan (D) 1,892

✔ Michael H. Butler (D) 1,868

✔ John V. Summa (D) 1,822

✔ John W. Farris (D) 1,757

✔ Michael Sig Hallinan (R) 213

✔ Michael H. Butler (R) 202

✔ John V. Summa (R) 200

✔ John W. Farris (R) 193

Mayor

✔ Patrick "Nibs" Loughney (D) 2,574

Tax collector

✔ Louis A. Paciotti (D) 2,389