DANVILLE — Bernie Swank, a former Montour County commissioner and borough mayor, is trying to unseat three-term incumbent Mayor Ed Coleman on Nov. 3.
Swank, a Republican, served eight years as mayor, starting in 1990, and three terms as a county commissioner, beginning in 1996.
She said her most important achievement while mayor was convincing Giant Markets to open a store in Danville, giving shoppers a choice in supermarkets and employing more than 100 people.
“It took seven years and many meetings,” she said. “I thank council for having a great part in that. The borough really cooperated. I had a good working relationship with them.”
Coleman, a Democrat, pointed to his tie-breaking votes on important local issues, as well as his efforts working with the police department as examples of his accomplishments in office.
During budget time last year, Coleman vetoed the budget and called for the Borough Council to reopen the spending plan because he opposed raising taxes and hiring an additional employee.
The council held a special meeting to vote again, but enacted the tax increase and added the employee.
Coleman broke a tie council vote for insurance for the borough, resulting in the contract being awarded to a local firm.
Coleman said he urged Police Chief Eric Gill to start the Neighborhood Watch Program, which “is taking off and is doing well.”
Coleman, who was instrumental in Gill being appointed police chief, said, “Chief Gill has exceeded all council’s expectations and most of mine as chief. He has gotten $175,000 in grants for the borough. That is unheard of for a police chief.”
The 72-year-old is also a real estate agent with Prudential Hodrick.
“I got my license two weeks before I was elected mayor,” said Coleman, who retired after 31 years as a rural carrier for the Danville post office. He also owned a hotel-tavern for 20 years.
Swank, 68, said she is running for mayor due to requests from many people wanting a choice for the office and “because of the experience I have in that position.”
“I’m a people person. I enjoy meeting, greeting and helping people,” she said.
Swank has lived in Danville for 36 years. She opened Bernie’s Hair Emporium, where she served as owner-operator for 32 years.
News
Ex-mayor takes on 3-term incumbent
- News
-
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
-
New Berlin pushes to acquire school
NEW BERLIN -- The Borough Council sold the property where the New Berlin Elementary School is to the precursor of the Mifflinburg Area School District for $1 back in 1950. It was deeded to the district for construction of a school.
- More News Headlines
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
