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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shapiro visits Scranton school, touts education funding success
Students and teachers at Isaac Tripp Elementary School lined a hallway to welcome Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday. They shook pompoms, held signs and swayed miniature flags as the governor greeted and high-fived them. Shortly after, the lucky first-grade class of Julie Zaleski filed politely into the gymnasium and sat 'criss-cross applesauce' on the floor to one side of the room, beneficiaries of a historic $2 billion increase in K-12 public education funding by the Shapiro administration. Shapiro took to the podium, flanked by book shelves loaded with library books, a globe and a stuffed mouse. * Gov. Josh Shapiro jokes with students at Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Gov. Josh Shapiro looks ahead as he visits with students through a hallway at Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks in the gymnasium of Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Gov. Josh Shapiro greets students at Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Students wait for Gov. Josh Shapiro to make his way through a hallway at Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Gov. Josh Shapiro greets students at Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * State Rep. Jim Haddock greets students in the gymnasium of Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton during a visit from Gov. Josh Shapiro Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 7 Gov. Josh Shapiro jokes with students at Isaac Tripp Elementary School in Scranton Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Shapiro touted a year of improved education and resources for students across the region, bolstered by the largest year-over-year increase to education funding in the commonwealth's history, and elaborated on the success of the funding. 'The reason why we are here today is because we've been able to come together, Democrat and Republican alike, and do something really, really historical, for public education here in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,' Shapiro said. State Reps. Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely, and Jim Haddock, D-118, Pittston Twp., gathered to one side. Scranton School District Superintendent Erin Keating, Ed.D., Scranton School Board President Ty Holmes and acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Carrie Rowe stood on the other side. Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti sat among a group of local leaders and lookers on in a pattern of padded folding chairs. Shapiro described a scenario where, a decade ago, the state cut $1 billion in funding from the education system. 'We hit a speed bump and were forced to go back,' Shapiro said. He outlined how, though Gov. Tom Wolf's administration worked to do damage control, schools were still severely underfunded. 'We knew that the standard wasn't being met, across Northeastern Pennsylvania, or across this commonwealth,' Shapiro explained, adding that, when he served as the attorney general of Pennsylvania, he wrote a legal brief explaining the system needed to be corrected, because it was unconstitutional. Shortly after Shapiro took office, Pennsylvania courts ruled the school funding system at that time to be unconstitutional. 'Instead of pointing fingers at somebody else, we all agreed, Democrat and Republican, to get around the table and work to address this crisis in public education that we were facing,' Shapiro said. 'We didn't want to shortchange these students. We wanted to be able to invest in them again and make sure that every child has an opportunity for success in life. And so we worked together, and we made historic investments.' Shapiro pointed to Isaac Tripp Elementary School as an example of what is possible when bipartisan efforts maintain the constitutional obligation to children and schools. 'This wasn't just about writing a check to the school district,' Shapiro said, adding that as a result of the work, problems have been solved, highlighting the commonwealth's universal free breakfast provided in schools to all students, because, 'no child should have to learn on an empty belly.' He outlined other improvements, such as growth to the after-school program, access to pre-K, increased funding for special education, including more counselors and special education support in schools, upgrades and improvements, and an increase in the number of teachers hired, thanks in part to a $10,000 stipend reimbursement for educators' learning costs. 'For so many years, the number of teachers have been declining in Pennsylvania. We're reversing that trend,' Shapiro said. 'For the first time in years, it's growing.' Keating described Scranton as 'a city that is long steeped in a proud history and a promising future,' and highlighting the diversity of the student body of 9,300, accentuating how additional funding has improved the education of the students, 80% of whom 'qualify as economically disadvantaged.' She expressed excitement to be 'bringing back preschool,' addressing mental health needs, adding art, music, physical education, STEM opportunities, new fire alarm systems, upgrading all exterior doors, adding interior cameras, completion of construction to West Scranton Intermediate School, and more with the educational funding increase. 'They aren't just extras,' Keating said, addressing some of the benefits funding has provided for the district. 'They're vital components of well-rounded education that create those experiences and interests for kids to grow from high school and beyond.' Kosierowski thanked Shapiro for prioritizing education, citing how her experience as a nurse allows her the ability to see the benefits positive measures taken while children are young has on their overall and ongoing health and lives. 'I'm really proud of what we do here in the state and with funding that we have,' Kosierowski said, citing safe classrooms, nutritional provisions and mental health supports, and reiterated that $11 billion is aimed at K-12 education funding, with a $2 billion increase during the Shapiro administration, and $200 million more dollars to benefit mental health needs, among other improvements. 'This is what progress looks like,' Kosierowski added, 'and here in Scranton, we are seeing it firsthand.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thursday event offers opportunity to meet Scranton School Board candidates
Voters will have a chance Thursday to meet the candidates for Scranton School Board before casting their ballots in Tuesday's municipal primary election. The Greater Scranton Martin Luther King Commission is sponsoring Thursday's meet-the-candidates event, which will run from 6-8 p.m. in the fifth-floor Rose Room of the University of Scranton's Brennan Hall. It will feature a Q&A session where members of the MLK Commission will ask questions of the candidates and give audience members an opportunity to ask additional questions, organizers said in an email. Heather Rhodes, Greater Scranton MLK Commission vice president, said the community has approached the commission over the years seeking information about candidates for the Scranton School Board. 'As a non-partisan group, we collectively decided to give the people the opportunity to learn who the candidates are and what they intend to do for our students if they are elected by hosting a 'Meet the Candidates' event at the University of Scranton,' Rhodes said in a statement. 'We are providing a platform where parents and members of the community may have the opportunity to submit questions or share personal anecdotes for the candidates to consider. This fosters the principle that voters will be equipped with vital information to make informed decisions on May 20th.' A total of six primary candidates for Scranton school director are vying to advance to November's municipal election, when four seats on the nine-member school board are up for grabs. They include incumbent school Director Danielle Chesek, recently appointed Director Jenna Strzelecki, former Director Carol J. Cleary and fellow candidates Julien M. Wells, John Howe and Joe Brazil. Chesek, Strzelecki, Wells, Howe and Brazil are all cross-filed, meaning they'll appear on both Democratic and Republican primary ballots seeking both Democratic and Republican nominations to advance to November. There are four Democratic and four GOP nominations to be won Tuesday, respectively, meaning a candidate could hypothetically finish outside of the top four in one party's primary and still secure enough support in the other's to earn a spot on the November ballot. Cleary, who isn't cross-filed, seeks only a Democratic nomination. She was previously appointed to fill a vacant seat on the school board in January 2022 and served until December 2023, following an unsuccessful run for a full term. Chesek won election to the school board in 2021, currently serves as the board's vice president and seeks a second term. Board members appointed Strzelecki late last month to fill the vacancy created by former Director Katie Gilmartin's resignation. She's serving the remainder of Gilmartin's term, which expires in December. That seat is on the ballot this year, with Strzelecki seeking election to a full four-year term. Brazil is the school district's retired former chief information officer. Light refreshments will be served at Thursday's MLK Commission-sponsored event. School directors serve without compensation.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scranton council candidates weigh in on preferences for mayor, council
Scranton's city council election this year, with three seats up for grabs, coincides with the mayoral election. The Democratic candidates for council are Virgil Argenta, Patrick Flynn, Frankie Malacaria, Sean McAndrew, Todd Pousley and incumbent Councilman Tom Schuster. Republican Marc Pane also is running in the GOP primary for a nomination for city council. The Democratic ballot for mayor has incumbent Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti challenged by former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan. The Republican ballot for mayor has accounting executive Patricia Beynon and business owner Lynn Labrosky each seeking the GOP nomination. The Times-Tribune asked the council candidates who they will vote for mayor and for council, besides themselves. Argenta declined to answer the questions and called them 'borderline election interference.' Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) Flynn, on mayoral candidates, said, 'Scranton deserves a City Council member who will work hard and always put our neighborhoods first no matter who's mayor. Council should be a strong check and balance, but also a partner in progress. I'll work with anyone to get results for Scranton, and I'll stand my ground when needed.' Regarding other council candidates, Flynn said, 'If I'm fortunate enough to win, I look forward to working with whoever else is elected to City Council. Progress takes teamwork, and I'm committed to doing what's best for our city in a collaborative manner, no matter the outcome of the other races.' Patrick Flynn, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF PATRICK FLYNN) Malacaria said he will vote for Cognetti, calling her 'the best candidate running for mayor at this time,' and adding, 'While we don't always agree, I believe her leadership has set us toward the right direction.' As for other council candidates, Malacaria said he will vote for Pousley. Frankie Malacaria, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF FRANKIE MALACARIA) McAndrew said he has 'serious concerns' about Cognetti's priorities. 'I won't be a rubber stamp. I'll stand up for working families and advocate for real solutions. At the same time, I'm committed to working with whomever is elected mayor, because putting our city first means finding common ground.' Regarding other council candidates, McAndrew said, 'I'll work with whomever is elected. Working together is the only way we make progress in our city.' Sean McAndrew, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF SEAN McANDREW) Pousley said he will vote to re-elect Cognetti. 'Under her leadership, Scranton shed its distressed status after 30 years and is now on a solid financial footing. Our downtown is vibrant, with a growing residential population, and our neighborhoods are benefiting from park improvements, efforts to clean up blight and support for small businesses. I will work with the mayor, even when we disagree, to continue this positive forward momentum.' Cognetti on April 30 announced her endorsement of Pousley in the council race. He is the only council candidate Cognetti endorsed. Regarding other council candidates, Pousley said, 'There are other good candidates on the Democratic ticket and I'm still deciding who else I will vote for, but I know for certain I will not be voting for the candidates who are running as Democrats but don't actually share the values of the Democratic party. Their words and actions directed at me and other candidates demonstrate they can't be trusted to lead with integrity and work together to achieve results for Scranton residents.' He declined to identify those candidates. Todd Pousley, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TODD POUSLEY) Schuster, regarding mayoral candidates, said, 'I will leave that up to the voters,' and 'I will be happy to work with any of the candidates if elected.' As for other council candidates, Schuster said he believes there are 'serious red flags' regarding two of the other candidates, and he referenced articles in newspapers about one candidate's 'conflict of interest' regarding his 'employment with a non-profit that receives city funding;' and the other candidate's prior runs for Wilkes-Barre City Council. Schuster declined to identify those two candidates by name. Scranton Councilman Tom Schuster,a candidate for re-election in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TOM SCHUSTER) Argenta is the only candidate for council in this primary who previously ran for a council seat in Wilkes-Barre. Argenta ran unsuccessfully in the 2003 and 2007 Democratic primaries for Wilkes-Barre City Council, and ran unsuccessfully in the 2011 general election as a Republican for Wilkes-Barre City Council, according to archives of The Citizens' Voice newspaper. The Times-Tribune reported last month on Pousley saying he started a leave of absence March 27 from his job with NeighborWorks while he runs for city council because of concerns raised about a potential conflict of interest. If elected, Pousley acknowledged he would have a conflict of interest on any matter directly involving NeighborWorks, but the remedy to that would be for him to recuse himself from any such matter, discussion or vote, Pousley had said in that article. In a phone interview Friday, Pousley said of Schuster's 'red flag' comment, 'What I said previously still applies.' Pousley said he has since also sought an advisory opinion from the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, and that opinion mirrors his stance. Pane answered the two questions about voting for mayor and council in one reply: 'Privacy in the voting booth allows voters to make decisions based on their own beliefs and preferences without feeling pressured to conform to the views of others. Voters are free to vote honestly and independently when their choices are confidential and it is the cornerstone of our democracy. Such questions would only promote more division in our already fractured community where we should be promoting unity instead. When I first became involved in politics, a good friend told me when someone tells you they will vote for you, you really can't believe them. He told me the only person you can believe 100% is the person who tells you they are not voting for you.' Marc Pane, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Republican primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF MARC PANE) The three council seats available are those of Schuster and two held by Bill King and council President Gerald Smurl. King and Smurl are not running in the primary for reelection. Winners of the primary will advance to run in the Nov. 4 general election. The three winners of the general election would join on council the other two members not up for reelection this year: Mark McAndrew and Jessica Rothchild. * Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) * Patrick Flynn, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF PATRICK FLYNN) * Frankie Malacaria, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF FRANKIE MALACARIA) * Sean McAndrew, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF SEAN McANDREW) * Todd Pousley, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TODD POUSLEY) * Scranton Councilman Tom Schuster,a candidate for re-election in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TOM SCHUSTER) * Marc Pane, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Republican primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF MARC PANE) Show Caption 1 of 7 Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) Expand
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scranton council candidates weigh in on preferences for mayor, council
Scranton's city council election this year, with three seats up for grabs, coincides with the mayoral election. The Democratic candidates for council are Virgil Argenta, Patrick Flynn, Frankie Malacaria, Sean McAndrew, Todd Pousley and incumbent Councilman Tom Schuster. Republican Marc Pane also is running in the GOP primary for a nomination for city council. The Democratic ballot for mayor has incumbent Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti challenged by former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan. The Republican ballot for mayor has accounting executive Patricia Beynon and business owner Lynn Labrosky each seeking the GOP nomination. The Times-Tribune asked the council candidates who they will vote for mayor and for council, besides themselves. Argenta declined to answer the questions and called them 'borderline election interference.' Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) Flynn, on mayoral candidates, said, 'Scranton deserves a City Council member who will work hard and always put our neighborhoods first no matter who's mayor. Council should be a strong check and balance, but also a partner in progress. I'll work with anyone to get results for Scranton, and I'll stand my ground when needed.' Regarding other council candidates, Flynn said, 'If I'm fortunate enough to win, I look forward to working with whoever else is elected to City Council. Progress takes teamwork, and I'm committed to doing what's best for our city in a collaborative manner, no matter the outcome of the other races.' Patrick Flynn, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF PATRICK FLYNN) Malacaria said he will vote for Cognetti, calling her 'the best candidate running for mayor at this time,' and adding, 'While we don't always agree, I believe her leadership has set us toward the right direction.' As for other council candidates, Malacaria said he will vote for Pousley. Frankie Malacaria, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF FRANKIE MALACARIA) McAndrew said he has 'serious concerns' about Cognetti's priorities. 'I won't be a rubber stamp. I'll stand up for working families and advocate for real solutions. At the same time, I'm committed to working with whomever is elected mayor, because putting our city first means finding common ground.' Regarding other council candidates, McAndrew said, 'I'll work with whomever is elected. Working together is the only way we make progress in our city.' Sean McAndrew, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF SEAN McANDREW) Pousley said he will vote to re-elect Cognetti. 'Under her leadership, Scranton shed its distressed status after 30 years and is now on a solid financial footing. Our downtown is vibrant, with a growing residential population, and our neighborhoods are benefiting from park improvements, efforts to clean up blight and support for small businesses. I will work with the mayor, even when we disagree, to continue this positive forward momentum.' Cognetti on April 30 announced her endorsement of Pousley in the council race. He is the only council candidate Cognetti endorsed. Regarding other council candidates, Pousley said, 'There are other good candidates on the Democratic ticket and I'm still deciding who else I will vote for, but I know for certain I will not be voting for the candidates who are running as Democrats but don't actually share the values of the Democratic party. Their words and actions directed at me and other candidates demonstrate they can't be trusted to lead with integrity and work together to achieve results for Scranton residents.' He declined to identify those candidates. Todd Pousley, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TODD POUSLEY) Schuster, regarding mayoral candidates, said, 'I will leave that up to the voters,' and 'I will be happy to work with any of the candidates if elected.' As for other council candidates, Schuster said he believes there are 'serious red flags' regarding two of the other candidates, and he referenced articles in newspapers about one candidate's 'conflict of interest' regarding his 'employment with a non-profit that receives city funding;' and the other candidate's prior runs for Wilkes-Barre City Council. Schuster declined to identify those two candidates by name. Scranton Councilman Tom Schuster,a candidate for re-election in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TOM SCHUSTER) Argenta is the only candidate for council in this primary who previously ran for a council seat in Wilkes-Barre. Argenta ran unsuccessfully in the 2003 and 2007 Democratic primaries for Wilkes-Barre City Council, and ran unsuccessfully in the 2011 general election as a Republican for Wilkes-Barre City Council, according to archives of The Citizens' Voice newspaper. The Times-Tribune reported last month on Pousley saying he started a leave of absence March 27 from his job with NeighborWorks while he runs for city council because of concerns raised about a potential conflict of interest. If elected, Pousley acknowledged he would have a conflict of interest on any matter directly involving NeighborWorks, but the remedy to that would be for him to recuse himself from any such matter, discussion or vote, Pousley had said in that article. In a phone interview Friday, Pousley said of Schuster's 'red flag' comment, 'What I said previously still applies.' Pousley said he has since also sought an advisory opinion from the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission, and that opinion mirrors his stance. Pane answered the two questions about voting for mayor and council in one reply: 'Privacy in the voting booth allows voters to make decisions based on their own beliefs and preferences without feeling pressured to conform to the views of others. Voters are free to vote honestly and independently when their choices are confidential and it is the cornerstone of our democracy. Such questions would only promote more division in our already fractured community where we should be promoting unity instead. When I first became involved in politics, a good friend told me when someone tells you they will vote for you, you really can't believe them. He told me the only person you can believe 100% is the person who tells you they are not voting for you.' Marc Pane, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Republican primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF MARC PANE) The three council seats available are those of Schuster and two held by Bill King and council President Gerald Smurl. King and Smurl are not running in the primary for reelection. Winners of the primary will advance to run in the Nov. 4 general election. The three winners of the general election would join on council the other two members not up for reelection this year: Mark McAndrew and Jessica Rothchild. * Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) * Patrick Flynn, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF PATRICK FLYNN) * Frankie Malacaria, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF FRANKIE MALACARIA) * Sean McAndrew, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF SEAN McANDREW) * Todd Pousley, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TODD POUSLEY) * Scranton Councilman Tom Schuster,a candidate for re-election in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF TOM SCHUSTER) * Marc Pane, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Republican primary election for a nomination to Scranton City Council. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF MARC PANE) Show Caption 1 of 7 Virgil Argenta, a candidate in the May 20, 2025 Democratic primary for Scranton City Council. (IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF VIRGIL ARGENTA) Expand
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scranton mayoral candidates debate
During a debate Tuesday night, candidates for Scranton mayor disagreed about top priorities and how the city should deal with the expansion of the Keystone Sanitary Landfill in neighboring Dunmore and Throop, among other issues. The University of Scranton hosted the debates between candidates running in the May 20 primary election for Democratic and Republican nominations for city mayor. Separate debates for each party included: two Democrats, incumbent Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and former Scranton School Board President Bob Sheridan; followed by two Republicans, accounting executive Patricia 'Trish' Beynon and business owner Lynn Labrosky. The challengers each targeted Cognetti, who is seeking a second four-year term, while she touted and defended her record. Top priority The debate moderator, university professor Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., asked each candidate what would be their top policy priority if elected. 'Just one?' Cognetti said. 'We must continue to be strong financial stewards of taxpayer dollars here in Scranton.' Saying responsible financial management underpins everything City Hall does, the mayor noted that under her tenure the city has achieved bond-rating upgrades and won state awards for municipal excellence. 'Financial stewardship is the absolute bedrock of what we need to do and it's based on not just strong leadership, it's based on fairness for taxpayers.' Sheridan, who owns D&S Auto Sales in South Side, said, 'My top policy would make sure the budget is secure … and make sure the employees are happy.' He then claimed city employees and their unions are dissatisfied with Cognetti, who 'failed to negotiate with her unions.' Sheridan also called her an 'absentee mayor.' He said he would dedicate a room on the first floor of City Hall where union members could meet with him. Noting he's a lifelong city resident and a retired city police officer, Sheridan said, 'Your employees are the foundation of the house and if you have a house with a bad foundation you will fail. She has failed in the last four years with her employees … morale is down the tubes with our unions and employees. We can't have that.' Cognetti disputed those assertions, noting her administration has negotiated contracts with all of the employee unions and raised salaries. 'By 2027 all city employees will be earning over $50,000 a year. When we came into office, people were earning $28,000, $32,000 (a year). We have worked extremely hard to make sure that we can balance the fact that we are a taxpayer-funded entity with the need and the desire to make sure that all of our employees are paid a living wage and have great health care benefits.' Cognetti also said arbitrations involving police and firefighter unions are 'standard practice.' Beynon, an accounting executive with Don Scartelli Construction Services and General Contractors of West Scranton, said her top priority would be transparency. 'I'd like to know what's actually going on in City Hall behind closed doors. I don't feel that we have enough transparency. We don't know where our tax money is going all the time. We don't know what's going on behind closed doors. I think people need to know. They need to know where the tax money is going. They need to know who they can rely on,' Beynon said. 'I would let them know where the money's being spent, if it's being spent properly, if it's being allocated properly to the right departments. We need transparency.' Labrosky, who along with her husband owns Labrosky's Automotive Service Center in South Scranton, said, 'My top policy would be, if I became mayor, listening.' Noting she is a lifelong city resident, Labrosky said that in campaigning she has learned from residents 'that they don't feel heard. If people don't feel heard then that creates a big gap between city government and the citizens that live in Scranton.' City Hall safety City Hall access was not a question asked by the moderator, but it was raised as an issue by the Republicans and Sheridan, who each said they would remove the interior locked door at City Hall that Cognetti has had installed. 'I would also open the doors to City Hall. I would gladly do that. I don't feel fearful that anyone would come in and,' Labrosky said, and then pivoted to, 'It could happen in a grocery store, if something's going to happen. It could happen in church. It could happen anywhere. There is violence in the country and we have to figure out ways to curb those issues and find solutions. But at the same time I would make City Hall what it should be, and it should be a building where everyone in the city of Scranton is welcome.' Beynon said, 'We also need to have the doors open,' because many residents are elderly and do not use computers to access city services online and need personal interactions. 'We need to be able to go into City Hall and ask questions, get answers, know where everything is going.' Sheridan said, 'We need to open up City Hall and make sure if you need to see me as mayor, I'll be there eight hours a day.' Cognetti said the locked door was installed for safety and security purposes. She defended preventing anyone from roaming freely throughout City Hall, noting state law prevents cities from regulating firearms on municipal properties. 'There are lots of folks that like to say that City Hall is closed. That is absolutely not true,' Cognetti said. 'But there is a security door that you need to have an appointment to get through, so that we don't have people, for any reason, coming in and going into our law office, our finance office, our HR office, with confidential records. … I'm not going to let them (employees) be in danger.' Sheridan claimed the city could have a police officer at the door check someone's weapon and put it in a locker for safekeeping, such that 'Your gun will be locked up and you could go do your business' inside City Hall. 'So, I'm sorry, you're wrong. It can be done.' Cognetti replied, 'That's not factually accurate.' Landfill expansion Referencing the state's extension of a permit for Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Dunmore and Throop to continue operating while odor and leachate control issues remain under review as part of a massive, nearly 40-year-long expansion, the moderator asked how the candidates would work to support a safe and clean environment for city residents. Cognetti said, 'I have always supported Friends of Lackawanna in their effort to stop that landfill expansion and I'm very proud of the work that they've done. I've been alongside most of our local elected representatives in that fight. Everything is always a balance — I understand that. I understand that it's a business, but it is a business that if allowed to expand out four decades would have a detrimental impact on our environment and all the great future potential that I see for us. We're raising two little girls in this city and I certainly don't want to see them having to live next to an increasingly large landfill. I think I share that with most folks around but not everybody stands up to that.' Sheridan said, 'I understand it's a business, too. … We need to make sure our neighborhoods are safe and make sure that anything going through our neighborhoods' is safe and the landfill has 'to go by code, they have to make sure that it's lawful.' Sheridan then asked Cognetti whether she has lived in the city during her entire tenure as mayor; she did not respond. Beynon said of the landfill: 'We have to look into the Clean Air Act and we have to make sure that the people in Scranton understand that even though it (the landfill) is in a different area and it is owned by (owners) out of the area, we still need to focus on this.' Beynon noted she often smells landfill odors at her home. 'I would say make sure it doesn't expand any more and then work with the environmental controls to see if we can get the smell taken care of. It's way out of control and it needs to be taken care of.' The city also should try to get state and federal grants to remedy problems and also reach out to the landfill and owner, she said, while not mentioning Louis DeNaples by name. 'I don't know why more people aren't reaching out to the landfill. I know he's considered a higher-up person there, but we need to reach out and make sure that it is taken care of hands-on right at the landfill. It's been going on way too long. We do have a smell.' Labrosky said, 'I would say when it comes to the landfill and any type of expansion it would be all about compromise. I mean we have a long-standing businessman in the community that worked his whole entire life to build that landfill and build a small business. People don't always agree on things and I would fight for whatever is best for the citizens of Scranton, but at the same time I don't see any reason why you can't sit down with someone and have a conversation, because conversations lead to solutions. … I would try to come up with the best solution that would benefit everyone. Everyone is not always going to be happy. But at the same time, everyone has a right to make a living and continue on with being the businessperson that they've been in the community. The person that owns the landfill has done a lot for our community and has invested in our community, but at the same time we also want to look out for citizens and if they have concerns, I believe there is always compromise.' Closing remarks Sheridan said, 'Ask yourself, are you happy with the last four years of the present administration? … Let's turn the page on Paige.' Cognetti said, 'We have so much to be proud of in Scranton. … We came in to give the city what it deserves, which is serious leadership, technical expertise and vision for the future. … Scranton deserves serious leadership in what is unfortunately a very serious time where things are uncertain.' Noting she also has been a licensed Realtor since 2015, Beynon said she listens to concerns of people as far as purchasing homes in the city and 'they are worried about their safety, a lot of times, they're worried about taxes. They don't want to live in the city of Scranton because of those issues. … My goal is to change it around so that people want to live here, they want to stay here.' Touting her small-business experience, Labrosky said, 'I am running for mayor of Scranton because this is my city, this is my home, this is the city I grew up in. The city is starting to become unrecognizable. I go back five generations of family in the city. I'm seeing my children move out, (there's) not enough opportunity here. … Everyone that lives in the city has needs, so those needs need to be met and I don't feel they're being met by the current leadership.' The debates were recorded by Electric City Television for airing at a later date. The university's Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service website also will post video of the debates. The event, which was not broadcast live, drew a crowd that mostly filled a small auditorium. Winners of the primary will advance to run in the Nov. 4 general election. The mayoral term on the ballot is for four years. Mike Mancini and former Scranton Sewer Authority Executive Director Gene Barrett also have announced intentions to run as independents in the Nov. 4 general election for mayor. Scranton Mayor-Elect Paige Gebhardt Cognetti at Scranton City Hall in Scranton on Nov. 7, 'Bob' Sheridan, candidate in the 2025 Democratic primary election for mayor of Scranton. (PHOTO SUBMITTED / COURTESY OF BOB SHERIDAN) Patricia 'Trish' Beynon, Republican candidate for Scranton mayor in the May 20, 2025 primary election. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)Lynn Labrosky, Republican candidate for Scranton mayor in the May 20, 2025 primary election. (PHOTO PROVIDED / COURTESY OF LYNN LABROSKY) * Current mayor Paige Cognetti and Democratic candidate Bob Sheridan answer questions during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, at left, and Bob Sheridan, Democratic candidates for Scranton mayor in the May 20, 2025 primary election, shown during a debate on April 22, 2025 at the University of Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Current mayor Paige Cognetti responds during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Democratic candidate Bob Sheridan responds to a question during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Current mayor Paige Cognetti reacts to comments from candidate Bob Sheridan during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, at left, and Bob Sheridan, Democratic candidates for Scranton mayor in the May 20, 2025 primary election, shown during a debate on April 22, 2025 at the University of Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Patricia 'Trish' Beynon, at left, and Lynn Labrosky, Republican candidates for Scranton mayor in the May 20, 2025 primary election, shown during a debate on April 22, 2025 at the University of Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Republican candidate Lynn Labrosky responds during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Republican candidate Patricia Beynon responds to questions during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Republican candidates Patricia Beynon and Lynn Labrosky answer questions during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Republican candidates Patricia Beynon and Lynn Labrosky answer questions during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Patricia 'Trish' Beynon, at left, and Lynn Labrosky, Republican candidates for Scranton mayor in the May 20, 2025 primary election, shown during a debate on April 22, 2025 at the University of Scranton. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Show Caption 1 of 12 Current mayor Paige Cognetti and Democratic candidate Bob Sheridan answer questions during the mayoral candidate debate at the Loyola Science Center at the University of Scranton on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand
