Two candidates, one write-in vying on the Republican ticket for Lebanon city mayoral seat

Yahoo

09-05-2025

Voters are weighing their choices as Incumbent Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello faces challenger Damian Vargas in the Republican primary on May 20.
Also, after being removed from the ballot on March 21, cabinet designer Sharon Zook has organized a write-in campaign for the same primary.
Cesar Liriano is the only candidate in the Democratic primary for Lebanon city mayor.
The Lebanon Daily News asked the candidates to respond to four questions on a variety of topics, including the housing crisis and how to attract new businesses. These are their responses:
Damian Vargas is a community organizer and owner of ARE and Be CAFE, located at 381 N. 8th St. Find more information about his campaign at the Damian Vargas for Mayor Facebook page. Vargas did not respond to questions from the Lebanon Daily News.
Incumbent Sherry Capello is running for a fifth term as Lebanon city mayor. Residents can find more information about her campaign at capelloformayor.com.
What do you believe is the biggest problem facing the city and how would you address if reelected?
I believe one of the biggest concerns we are facing is the housing shortage. However, this issue is not unique to Lebanon, as across the country and our commonwealth, communities are experiencing the problems of housing shortages. We actually have a variety of housing challenges and opportunities. We have been experiencing positive growth since 2010 and we project this trend will continue. However, there is limited availability of open space. It represents a challenge that we need to turn into an opportunity.
What would be your goals/plans to address the housing shortage in Lebanon?
We need to work in collaboration with our state legislators for direct funding and commercial property owners in order to offer various housing options on the second and third floors of their buildings. Currently, many of these floors in the downtown core are vacant and/or underutilized because it is not affordable for property owners to comply with the statewide building codes to address sprinklers and elevator requirements to convert the floors into residential units. This would be a win-win for our residents, property owners and downtown businesses. Residents would be able to find more affordable housing options within the City of Lebanon, property owners would benefit from tenants leasing currently vacant spaces and downtown business owners would see an uptick in foot traffic.
What would you do to attract new businesses to the city?
Revitalizing and rejuvenating a downtown community is a complex task. We want our downtown and other commercial districts to be a powerful economic, tourism and quality of life driver. To do this, we will need strategic planning so we can aim for success. We have laid the groundwork to recruit and retain by establishing fiscal stability in our government, completing vital projects for quality of life improvements and we have decreased serious crime and blight. Our next step is to continue with the improvements and also move forward with an analysis of existing businesses and then determine what key uses will represent an asset to the mix, not a detraction. These items will create more opportunities for continued investment in our city.
If reelected, what would be your plans to revitalize the Lebanon community over the next four years?
I am proud of what has been accomplished during my tenure in office. We are moving the city forward, but we have more work to do to continue this momentum. My vision to revitalize the Lebanon community over the next four years include but are not limited to… 1) ensure sustainable housing for ALL residents, and increase the number of affordable housing units to assist with workforce development concerns, 2) support additional investments in our downtown and other commercial districts and encourage appropriate specialty shops, restaurants and entertainment to ensure a vibrant and growing economy, and lastly, 3) continue to be accountable with the taxpayers' money with responsible financial oversight of our annual city budget.
Zook is a designer and manager for the Snitz Creek Cabinet Shop. Residents can find more information about her campaign at sharonzook.com.
What do you believe is the biggest problem facing the city, and how would you address it if elected?
'Bad' businesses — from the slumlords who exacerbate and create housing problems — impoverishing, destabilizing, and endangering the most vulnerable populations of the city, draining property equity and blighting neighborhoods — to the underworld businesses that distribute drugs and illegal guns to our kids — to the illicit massage businesses (IMBs) who are part of highly organized networks for trafficking, prostitution, tax evasion, and money laundering — to the vape shops, unlicensed clubs, and various parlors…these all attract more vices and push away the good investors.
I would address the simple problems first — hold businesses in compliance with ordinances or zoning. I would work with state and county authorities as needed to determine the best course of action for businesses in violation of other regulatory requirements. Under my administration, the goal will be to make the city work for the businesses who comply with the ordinances, zoning, and the laws and want to do what is right.
What would be your goals/plans to address the housing shortage in Lebanon?
The housing shortage needs addressed utilizing every funding option from federal and state resources to private investors and non-profits. I would utilize the legal tools available to expeditiously move blighted, vacant, or abandoned properties into the land bank, or a remediation program. I will explore whether there are zoning barriers — such as parking minimums, additional units could be added to properties in low to mid density areas, commercial spaces converted in areas that are primarily residential — that need updated increase housing without compromising the character of existing neighborhoods. I will hold landlords accountable to providing legal and safe housing — and set limits on those with violations on their record. At the same time, we need increased home ownership — and to educate and assist families who qualify.
What would you do to attract new businesses to the city?
We need a vision/focus/theme for the center of our city, and work over the next 4 years toward realizing that vision. But there is more to the city than the center. Consulting the visitor's center, economic development, chamber of commerce and other organizations to better understand the barriers to bringing business and visitors into the city will help focus on which barriers need resolved as well as which businesses would be worth incentivizing to bring into the city. Once there is a plan, those key organizations can help connect spaces with businesses that are suited to the space and infrastructure or fit within the values we want in our city.
My administration will enforce the ordinances to remove illegal and illicit businesses who use up our prime commercial properties while they deteriorate the space around them — causing increased policing/monitoring, repairs for property damage, or the need to repeatedly engage oversight from licensing authorities.
If elected, what would be your plans to revitalize the Lebanon community over the next four years?
In addition to changing the business environment mentioned previously, I will continue to build with the existing infrastructure, and find funds for a qualified person to develop the downtown area around a theme or focus. For example, the overarching focus could be centered around families and professionals who enjoy outdoors. Green spaces would become destination places considering the demographic we want to engage — with walking or biking to reach those spaces.
I want to increase playground programs so there is more supervision and engagement in the city's green spaces of residential areas. Additionally, Lebanon has water flowing through the city…so I want to explore ways the water can be used to bring people into the space or enhance the surrounding green spaces.
Liriano is an independent contractor and former Lebanon School District board member. Residents can find more information about his campaign at Cesar for Mayor Facebook page.
What do you believe is the biggest problem facing the city, and how would you address it if elected?
One of the biggest problem facing the city is the inability of new businesses to establish and sustain themselves.Some of the ways that I would address it are:1. I would eliminate or minimize the obstacles people face when opening a business.2. Create incentives for new businesses so they can be successful.3. Identify locations where more parking can be created.4. Support existing businesses so they can be successful.
The second biggest problem is the rise in drug use, especially among the young people. I would address it by creating a cooperation between the parents, the school district, and the city to create programs to keep young people away from addiction.
What would be your goals/plans to address the housing shortage in Lebanon?
I plan on identifying areas and abandoned buildings to work with investment advocates to build affordable housing.
What would you do to attract new businesses to the city?
I plan on creating incentives and eliminating some red tape that investors face.
If elected, what would be your plans to revitalize the Lebanon community over the next four years?
Over the next four years, I plan on maintaining a close relationship with the community so that they feel that my administration is for and by the people.
The Pennsylvania 2025 municipal primary is scheduled for May 20. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot is May 13.
Residents looking for more information can visit the Lebanon County Voter Registration Office website at http://www.lebcounty.org/depts/Voter_Registration or contact them by phone at 717-228-4428.
Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at [e-mail] or on X at @DAMattToth.
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: 2 candidates, 1 write-in compete in GOP primary for city mayoral race