Councilwoman earns Democratic spot in November general election for Clarks Summit mayor

A Clarks Summit councilwoman captured the lone Democratic spot in November's general election to serve as mayor.

Councilwoman Patty Lawler outpaced Councilman Herman Johnson in Tuesday's all-Democratic primary for a seat as borough mayor, earning nearly 70 percent of the votes, according to unofficial returns.

With no Republican in the competition, Ms. Lawler will likely be favored to win in the general election.

Clarks Summit Mayor Harry Kelly, who was elected in 2005, isn't seeking a third four-year term.

"I am so grateful for the people who came out and voted for me," Ms. Lawler said. "I think together, we can make Clarks Summit borough the heart of the Abingtons."

If elected mayor, Ms. Lawler said she would focus on grant applications, revitalizing parts of the downtown and being visible in the community.

"I think it's important to reach out to children and visit them at school to teach how important local government is," she said.

In a race for one spot on the November ballot for Clarks Summit council, incumbent Dominic Scott edged challenger M. Vincent Cruciani, capturing about 43 percent of the votes, according to unofficial results.

Mr. Scott, who was appointed to council in June, said he is focused on introducing new ideas to generate additional revenue for the cash-strapped borough.

"It has been an honor to serve on borough council, and I have plenty of ideas for the future," Mr. Scott said.

In Scott Twp., incumbent Dave Makala won a spot on November's Republican ticket for township supervisor, earning more than 60 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns.

Mr. Makala, who was elected in 2007, has maintained that it is imperative to manage the township finances wisely, especially with the climbing sewer rates some township residents pay.

He will face Democrat Bob Noldy in the November general election. Mr. Noldy captured about 42 percent of the votes in Tuesday's Democratic primary, defeating Bob "Rocko" Mroczka and Stanley E. Stracham.

Also in the Abingtons, incumbent Tom Cerra edged challenger Gerald J. "Jerry" Snyder Jr. for the one Democratic spot in the general election for a Greenfield Twp. supervisor seat.

Mr. Cerra, who has served as supervisor since 1975, earned 52 percent of the votes, according to unofficial returns. He plans to monitor natural gas development, to ensure the township water wells remain safe.

Results for the Lackawanna Trail School Board Region 1 race between incumbent Kevin Mulhern and challenger Albert William Olive were unavailable from Wyoming County.

Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com; @miorfinoTT on Twitter

aBINGTON hEIGHTS sCHOOL BOARD

Region 1

✔ Michele M. Tierney (D) 731

✔ Michele M. Tierney (R) 576

Region 2

✔ Michele M. Pusateri (R) 622

✔ Michele M. Pusateri (D) 587

Region 3

✔ Jeanne Cadman (D) 438

✔ Jeanne Cadman (R) 414

At large

✔ Louise Class Brzuchalski (D) 1607

✔ Louise Class Brzuchalski (R) 1487

Benton Twp. supervisor

✔ Bonnie Rosiak (R) 152

Benton Twp. tax collector

✔ Donita Wright (R) 179

Clarks Green council

Democrat

✔ David J. Rinaldi 181

✔ Alan F. Hughes 126

Republican

✔ Joe Barrasse 97

Clarks Green mayor

✔ William Thorburn (D) 192

Clarks Green tax collector

✔ Janice F. Brown (D) 225

Clarks Summit mayor

✔ Patty Lawler (D) 423

Herman Johnson (D) 192

Clarks Summit council

Democrat, 4-year

✔ Gerrie Carey 446

✔ Patrick Williams 347

✔ Jim Klein 306

Republican, 4-year

✔ M. Vincent Cruciani 304

✔ Robert A. Bennett 271

Republican, 2-year

✔ Dominic Scott 182

M. Vincent Cruciani 133

Robert A. Bennett 100

Clarks Summit tax collector

Democrat

✔ Kathy Drake 433

Republican

✔ Judy A. Belch 384

Dalton council

✔ John W. Montgomery (R) 85

✔ Jared Gard (R) 77

✔ Gus Vlassis (R) 79

Dalton mayor

✔ Aaron Holzman (R) 94

Dalton Tax collector

✔ Margaret Peg Sheppard (R) 110

Glenburn Twp. Supervisor

✔ Michael T. Savitsky (R) 110

Greenfield Twp. Supervisor

Democrat

✔ Tom Cerra 171

Gerald J. Snyder Jr. 157

Republican

✔ J. Eric Hendrickson 94

Greenfield Twp. Tax Collector

Republican

✔ Donald J. Flynn 177

Lackawanna TraIl School District

Region 3

✔ Edward J. Clarke (R) 131

✔ Edward J. Clarke (D) 125

La plume Twp. Supervisor

✔ Liza A. Huffsmith (D) 22

La Plume Twp. tax collector

✔ Clyde E. Ellsworth (R) 24

N. Abington Twp. Supervisor

✔ Thomas Mundrake (R) 48

N. Abington Twp. tax collector

✔ Betty L. Opsasnick (R) 50

Newton Twp. Supervisor

Robert Naegele 180

John J. Shaffer 103

Newton Twp. Tax Collector

✔ Ruth E. Hayden (R) 268

Ransom Twp. supervisor

✔ David W. Bird Jr. (R) 127

✔ Robert Lukasiewicz (D) 69

Ransom Twp. Tax collector

✔ Lenay Blackwell (R) 108

Jeane Chilcote (R) 24

Scott Twp. Supervisor

✔ Bob Noldy (D) 155

Bob "Rocko" Mroczka (D) 113

Stanley E. Stracham (D) 101

✔ Dave Makala (R) 104

Thomas J. Smith (R) 59

Scott Twp. Tax Collector

✔ Michael R. Ciuccoli Sr. (D) 309

S. Abington Twp. Supervisor

✔ Giles W. Stanton (R) 343

Waverly Twp. Supervisor

✔ Michael Hoban (R) 168

✔ Douglas Klamp (D) 159

Waverly Twp. tax collector

✔ Ilona Thurston (D) 168