SHARON 4 Dems vie for 3 council seats, citing taxes, redevelopment as key issues

No Republicans are running in the primary.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- A lack of cooperation between city council and the mayor's office, property taxes and redevelopment are the key issues raised by candidates seeking to fill three city council seats.
There are four Democrats on Tuesday's primary election ballot and no Republicans, so whoever wins the three Democratic nominations is most likely to win the general election in the fall, barring any write-in campaign.
Incumbents Chris Outrakis and Lou Rotunno are seeking re-election, but Councilman Raymond Fabian chose not to run again.
The other candidates are Bob Lucas, a retired city firefighter, and Thomas W. Hall Sr., a retired Sharon schoolteacher.
Rotunno didn't respond to The Vindicator's request for a candidate's r & eacute;sum & eacute; but Outrakis, Hall and Lucas did.
Outrakis, who has served since 1989, said the redevelopment of the former Westinghouse Electric and National Castings plant sites in the city is one of the most important issues facing the city.
Police protection is another, and Outrakis said she is committed to maintaining a police force of 31 officers. She said she also wants to see the city's housing rehabilitation program for low-income homeowners continue.
Businessman's perspective
Lucas, who runs his own business, said it's time for the political policies of old to give way to positive change.
The city needs to employ a business agenda to most effectively use taxpayer dollars, he said, noting that his 24 years as a firefighter gave him an understanding of how Sharon operates.
Property taxes are the key issue, Lucas said, adding that Sharon should analyze itself to understand its strengths and weaknesses and map out a plan to spend tax dollars in the most efficient manner so that, if a tax increase is necessary, taxpayers will be able to understand why.
"There seems to be a lack of cooperation between council members," said Hall, adding that that lack of cooperation extends to the council and the mayor.
After his retirement as a teacher, Hall worked for about year in the city's Community Development Department as a housing rehabilitation inspector.
He said he believes he can be part of the solution to the city's problems, particularly its budgetary problems. It will take teamwork to solve those problems, he said.