Pocono News Section

Several Hot Races in Lackawanna County

Several Hot Races in Lackawanna County - Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 3:55PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2009 @ 03:55pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- A judge's race in Lackawanna County is also bringing people out to the polls. That race and a hotly contested city council run in Scranton are the main races we're following.

All day candidates for judge and Scranton City Council have been crisscrossing the city. They're trying hard to get those last minute votes.

Outside the Keyser Valley Community Center Republican Frank Castellano made his final pitch to voters. “On the final day, my message remains the same, every single vote matters and every person makes a difference," he said.

Castellano is facing Margie Bisignani Moyle for an open seat for judge. Moyle, a Democrat, hopes her hometown of Scranton will carry her to victory.

“Scranton, of course, is my base. I'm from the city of Scranton, as are my parents and grandparents. I'm hoping the city will turn out large and I'll carry the city by large numbers again," she said.

In Scranton a battle is brewing for city council. Janet Evans, Pat Rogan and Frank Joyce want to be elected to keep Mayor Chris Doherty in check.

“We've had a mayor who has virtually gone unchecked for eight years and people feel there should be a watchdog," said Evans.

“You don't want one faction, or one party to have all the power, that's how unchecked power leads to corruption," added Rogan.

19-year-old Doug Miller is another contender in the race. He's aligned with Doherty. “We can't afford to have the negative light placed on our city. We need to keep moving full speed ahead," said Miller.

Mayor Doherty himself is running officially unopposed, although his longtime opponent Gary DiBileo is running a write-in campaign.

He's not concerned who wins the council race. “This would be my fifth different council and my job is to work with them and we've always been able to get everything we've needed to through," said Doherty.