Pocono News Section

Big Shake-up in Scranton City Council

Big Shake-up in Scranton City Council - Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 5:00PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Tuesday’s Primary Election will also mean a big shake-up at city hall in Scranton. Mayor Chris Doherty has an excellent chance to be elected to a third term, but it will be with a very different city council.
Two current members of city council, Judy Gatelli and Sherry Nealon Fanucci were defeated Tuesday night. They were both strong allies of Mayor Doherty.

That means there will be several new faces in city council, and several of the candidates are young, and promising new ideas the second time was the charm for 22-year-old Pat Rogan.

He is one of the three Democratic nominees for Scranton City Council. Rogan said, “I love the city of Scranton and I don’t like a lot of things going on with debt in the city and other things, especially for young people and senior citizens."

Rogan along with 30-year-old Frank Joyce who was also a winner want to bring a younger perspective to city issues. “Both Pat and I put a tremendous effort into our campaigns. We probably knocked on about 10,000 doors. We delivered our message out to the public," he said.

Over the last few years city council meetings have become contentious at times among members, the public and the mayor's office.

Both candidates hope to stop that. “I hope to have a good relationship with the mayor and my colleagues on city council. We're all about working for the same goal and it’s the benefit of the citizens," said Rogan.

“I think there will have to be more cooperation made. I think with the current council majority, the system of checks and balances didn't exist," added Joyce.

Both candidates still have to win in November, but both say they're confident. “Being young actually helped us campaign, because when I went door-to-door, a lot of people said we need new blood and people who are respectful," said Rogan.

The third Democratic winner Tuesday night was current councilwoman Janet Evans. She has often clashed with the mayor.