Ten Democrats are seeking three seats on the New Castle City Council. Incumbent Councilwoman

Ten Democrats are seeking three seats on the New Castle City Council. Incumbent Councilwoman Patricia May did not return The Vindicator questionnaire on which this listing is based. Candidates provided photographs.
DAN COOK
Age: 48
Home: 418 Duquesne St., New Castle.
Employment: Head custodian, New Castle Schools since 1985.
Education: New Castle High School graduate.
Family: Wife, Rose.
Priority: To continue the economic growth of the city and to incorporate the city with the townships to create a regional area.
THOMAS P. COSTA
Age: 69
Home: 328 Shaw St., New Castle.
Employment: Retired; was superintendent 16 of 21 years at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; 12 years as auditor in Pennsylvania auditor general's office.
Education: New Castle High School graduate.
Family: Wife, Patricia; six children, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.
Priority: To provide for public safety with highly trained and experienced police and fire departments.
LES DAVIS
Age: 55
Home: 1308 Hamilton St., New Castle
Employment: Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Citizens, Lawrence County, computer systems specialist.
Education: New Castle High School graduate
Family: Wife, Mare; two daughters
Priority: We need to enforce our code and zoning ordinances to preserve our neighborhoods.
KAREN DE CARLO
Age: 48
Home: 832 Almira St., New Castle
Employment: Manager, Laidlaw Transit Inc. since 1996; New Castle Parking Authority member, secretary, 2000 to present.
Education: New Castle High School graduate
Family: Single
Priority: To continue economic development of the downtown and to unite ethnic and economic groups with cooperation and enthusiasm to improve the quality of life for all, making New Castle a place where people want to be.
JOHN FUSCO
Age: 47
Home: 820 Lathrop St., New Castle
Employment: Self-employed general contractor
Education: Electrical maintenance graduate, New Castle School of Trades
Family: Wife, Marguerite; three children
Priority: If I am fortunate enough to fill a seat on city council, I would like to see actual progress in the downtown project from the private sector. It seems to me the city is doing its part.
ED JOPEK
Age: 75
Home: 786 Vogan St., New Castle
Employment: Retired; owned beverage distributor 1980 to February 2003; worked in the home building industry 1953-1980
Education: New Castle High School graduate
Family: Wife, Ida; three children and eight grandchildren
Priority: To complete the downtown project and sell the city parking garage. The garage was built 20 years ago for $1 million and we still owe $1 million. We will never pay it off so let a private company run it.
ROB RATKOVICH
Age: 34
Home: 512 Norwood Ave., New Castle
Employment: Owner of Diamond Consulting and Painting, 12 years; Community Development Block Grant consultant six years; construction consultant, four years
Education: Graduate of New Castle High School
Family: Wife, Bernadette; four children
Priority: To make sure that the city is continuing to move in the right direction through economic development and the revitalization of the downtown area, and to attract retail and professional business to the area.
JOE SPARANO
Age: 68
Home: 220 North Liberty Street, New Castle
Employment: Retired, 1993; a private businessman and former educator; taught at Lawrence County Vocational Technical School.
Education: Bachelor's degree in education, Youngstown State University; New Castle High School graduate.
Family: Single.
Priority: Study the parking authority and consider eliminating it. It is losing money and free parking could be a means to bring people downtown.
EDWARD YERAGE JR.
Age: 51
Home: 738 Vogan St., New Castle.
Employment: Beaver Falls Schools physical education teacher since 1981.
Education: Bachelor's degree in education from Youngstown State University; New Castle High School graduate.
Family: Two children.
Priority: To introduce harmony on council and put the needs of the people of the city first.