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Pocono News Section
Primary Results Force Pittston Mayor to Resign
Primary Results Force Pittston Mayor to Resign - Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:13PM EST
Reported by: Joe Holden
Thursday, May 21, 2009 @ 12:13am EST
PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY- In a letter, Mayor Joseph Keating explained his decision to resign was not "sour grapes." Keating was lapped in Tuesday's primary by newcomer Jason Klush. Keating suffered a double-digit loss. Reaction from the crowded city council chamber was mute. Several police officers were among those in the room.
Council hastily moved to accept Keating's resignation and appoint Councilwoman Donna McFadden Connors to the vacant post. McFadden Connors said Keating's loss was the result of "a bad day for incumbents" at the polls. In turn, Michael Lombardo, a council candidate who secured the highest number of votes in the Democrat ticket, was appointed to fill McFadden Connor's vacant council seat.
Keating, a retired city fire chief, was completing his first term as mayor. Sources close to the ex-mayor said his bid for re-election was at times uncertain. Several calls placed to Keating's cell phone were not returned. Sources said Keating's loss was akin to taking a bullet.
Klush, the lone Democrat on the ballot for the General Election, is unopposed at this time. Politicos say he has the mayor's office all but locked up.
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