NEW CASTLE DeBlasio announces candidacy for mayor

The council president said he wants to maintain city services and attract new jobs to the city.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Another candidate has announced that he will run for mayor of the city of New Castle.
Richard DeBlasio, current council president, announced Wednesday that he will seek the Democratic nomination in the May Primary Election.
DeBlasio, 47, is the administrator for Silver Oaks Nursing Center in the city and has been a member of city council for nine years. He is in his second elected four-year term on city council. DeBlasio also served two years on city council after being appointed in 1993 to a vacant seat.
"With my nine years experience as a city councilman, I believe I have the experience and knowledge necessary to move this city forward," he said.
Points to progress
DeBlasio said he believes much progress has been made in his nine years on city council and as mayor he could do more.
The city is undergoing a downtown revitalization project.
"As mayor I can make more of a difference and guide the city in this next decade, if I'm fortunate enough to win," he said.
He said his agenda would be provide and maintain services in the city and work to attract new jobs.
DeBlasio said he also realizes the need to work with other elected officials in the school district, county and nearby municipalities.
First Democrat
DeBlasio is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for mayor. Republican Wayne Alexander announced Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination.
Current Mayor Timothy Fulkerson, also a Republican, has not said whether he will seek re-election.
DeBlasio said he plans to visit neighborhoods in the next several months and talk to residents.
"I want to tell them that we have a wonderful place here and lets work together," he said.
DeBlasio grew up in West Pittsburg and is a graduate of New Castle High School. He has lived in the city since 1987. His wife, Debra, is principal at Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School in New Castle, and they have two children, 14 and 10.