5 seeking 4 positions on Sharpsburg council

Sharpsburg voters will choose among five candidates seeking four open council positions.

The candidates are incumbent Karen Pilarski-Pastor, recent appointees Kayla Portis and Brad Truman, and newcomers Carrie Tongarm and Brian Kozera. All are registered Democrats but Truman is running on the Republican ballot after securing a write-in nomination in May.

Kozera did not respond to questions posed by the Tribune-Review. Here are answers from the other candidates:

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Name: Karen Pilarski-Pastor

Political party: Democrat

Age: not submitted

Education: High school.

Occupation: Administrative assistant for Hampton police department.

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If elected, what are two short-term goals?

“As some may be aware, volunteer fire departments are finding it extremely difficult to recruit and retain volunteers,” Pastor said. “I would like to help facilitate some type of consolidation and sharing of resources with the surrounding fire departments.

“Some municipalities have already expressed that they are not interested and I respect their decision. However, if other departments are interested, I would like to at the very least help start a conversation as the process can take two to five years to complete.”

A second goal for Pastor is to focus on volunteerism throughout town.

“If our town is to build on the events that have started to bring life back into the community, more people, especially younger people, need to become involved,” she said. “The same goes for the fire department because right now, we are operating with a small number of volunteers.

“How do we make this happen? How do we get people to pitch in and help with our community events?” Pastor asked.

“I don’t have the answer to that question right now but the current mindset of our residents has to change. Community involvement breeds community growth.”

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If elected, what is one long-term goal?

“When our budget allows, I would like the borough to hire either a part-time or full-time Main Street manager,” Pastor said.

This person would oversee the entire business district.

“They would be looking to develop, organize, promote and advertise the district,” she said. “They would actively seek out new businesses to fill the empty store fronts on our Main Street, assist them with their space and answer any questions that pertain to renting or owning, whichever the case may be.

“They would seek out grants for facade improvements and provide materials needed and guidance on permits, inspections and ordinances.”

Pastor said of the main duties of the new hire would be to compile a “Welcome Packet” to help a business navigate opening in a new town.

“All of this being done with the intention of making our little town and our Main Street a destination,” she said.

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How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

“We need to use any means at our disposal such as council meetings, social media posts, focus groups and even surveys to communicate with our residents and give them a say in our decision-making process,” she said.

“Also, encourage volunteerism and ways to keep them involved.”

For example, Pastor said the Earth Day clean-ups are for the good of everyone.

“In addition, all borough officials should be accessible to help with any questions, problems or concerns our residents may have even if it’s on an evening or a weekend,” she said. “That is a responsibility you accept when you run for public office and get elected.”

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Name: Kayla Portis

Political party: Democratic

Age: 36

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Clarion University.

Occupation: Recreation Therapist at Kane Living Center.

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If elected, what are two short-term goals?

“Awareness and community engagement,” Portis said. “These topics are extremely important for community members to gain knowledge and to experience local events.”

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If elected, what is one long-term goal?

“To continue to obtain accessibility for all,” Portis said. “Affordable housing has become problematic over the years. I would like to work together to come to a resolution.

“I am raising my boys in Sharpsburg — they are 5th-generation Sharpsburg residents. I am hoping that our legacy continues in Sharpsburg for many years to come.”

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How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

“By establishing a good rapport with community members by holding community events that interest them and through surveys,” she said.

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Name: Carrie Tongarm

Political party: Democratic

Age: 42

Education: Juris Doctor.

Occupation: Attorney.

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If elected, what are two short-term goals?

“I would like to work with the small businesses in town to help address concerns and raise issues to council,” Tongarm said. “We need our current and prospective small business owners to know that they have an ear on council and a voice within the community.

“I would work directly with the owners to help our business district to continue to thrive.”

A second goal for Tongarm can be summed up in two words, she said — dog park.

“While door-knocking this spring, I can’t tell you how many times I was greeted by a friendly bark or a wagging tail,” she said. “Residents have been asking for a dog-friendly space for many years and I want to make that a reality.

“I’d like to engage the assistance of an animal rescue institution and an urban designer that specializes in animal recreation areas to ensure the safest and best practices are implemented.”

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If elected, what is one long-term goal?

“I would like to work closely with our neighboring boroughs and police departments to address the drug issues that impact our communities,” Tongarm said. “I would like to develop an inter-borough task force to address addiction services, as well as pathways to recovery.

“This will require the engagement of experts and outside resources as well as relying on resident support.”

There is no simple solution to the issue,” Tongarm said.

“I hope to start a dialogue and engage the appropriate individuals to help address this issue in a meaningful way,” she said.

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How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

“This is an extremely important question and I plan to reach residents using a variety of approaches in order to maximize accessibility,” she said. “Access to government is critical to engagement. Every resident has a voice and should have the ability to be heard.”

Tongarm’s initial plans involve designating a Facebook page for residents to express concern and learn about borough happenings and providing an email address where residents could submit more detailed concerns.

Tongarm said she’d host “Coffee with Council” sessions at scheduled times throughout the year to allow for direct, face-to-face feedback.

“I also want to streamline the public comment process for council meetings and use local businesses and the community spaces to distribute important information to the public. I am a strong advocate of open communication.”

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Name: Brad Truman

Political party: Democrat but on the ballot as a Republican after a write-in victory in the May primary.

Age: 37

Education: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Penn State University.

Occupation: Senior business analyst at NRG Energy.

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If elected, what are two short-term goals?

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“I plan to continue my consistent engagement with the R47 developers to ensure responsible development of that project,” Truman said. “Also, I am very interested in bringing more businesses to the business district. A grocery store of any size is at the top of my list.”

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If elected, what is one long-term goal?

“The R47 project has many near-term and long-term objectives and milestones,” he said. “My long-term goals with the R47 development are simply a culmination of the successful execution of many short-term objectives. And, what successful execution looks like is ultimately for the community to weigh-in on and decide.

“I am simply a primary vehicle through which the community feedback flows to the developers.”

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How do you plan to communicate with constituents and involve them in the decision-making process?

“There have been a handful of public Q&A sessions that have been advertised to the Sharpsburg community,” he said. “The developers of R47 regularly attended council meetings for the purpose of providing updates on next steps and latest progress. These methods of community engagement, information dissemination and gathering of community feedback and input will continue to take place as this project progresses.”