As the date of Mayor Joseph Dipierro’s retirement approaches, the Borough Council has begun rallying around its choice for his successor.
By:Nick D’Amore
As the date of Mayor Joseph Dipierro’s retirement approaches, the Borough Council has begun rallying around its choice for his successor.
Two council Democrats — Sam Cline and Otto Kostbar — have said they would support Councilman Tony LaMantia to replace Mayor Dipierro, a Democrat who officially steps down Sept. 15.
Councilwoman Rebecca Sanders, a Democrat, said she would hold off on supporting a candidate until a list of nominees is submitted to the council.
“Mr. Lamantia certainly is the front-runner,” said Ms. Sanders. “He’s lived here a long time and he knows everyone.”
Mayor Dipierro made his retirement announcement at a council meeting in July. He said he wants to move closer to his three daughters, the youngest of whom had recently joined her two sisters in Georgia.
In his support of Mr. LaMantia, also a Democrat, Mr. Kostbar said, “Mr. LaMantia has done a very fine job as council president.”
Mr. Cline echoed Mr. Kostbar’s sentiments, saying Mr. LaMantia “would be the guy for the job. He has full council support.”
Republicans Adam Bushman and Dorothy Tatum were not available for comment.
Once Mayor Dipierro steps down, the Democratic Municipal Committee has 15 days to submit three names to the council, because state law allows political parties the opportunity to replace a resigning member with another member of their party. Once the Democratic committee submits three names, the council has 15 days to choose a new mayor from the three names.
“If they don’t chose a mayor within 15 days, the names go back to the committee,” said Gretchen Schauer, municipal clerk.
Whoever is selected to replace Mayor Dipierro will serve as mayor until next November when a special mayoral election will be held. The winner of the special election would then serve the final two years of Mayor Dipierro’s unexpired term.
The mayor decision could complicate the municipal election. While the mayor’s position will not be on the November ballot, Mr. LaMantia’s council seat is. He is one of four candidates — the others are Democrat Joe Jennings and Republicans Darren Larsen and Chandler Hetzell — seeking one of two three-year seats.
Mr. Lamantia, who is the only incumbent on the ballot, said Thursday he would not leave the race, even though he is being considered for the mayor’s slot.
According to Ms. Schauer, a name cannot be removed from the ballot for council after Sept. 17. If Mr. LaMantia were to be chosen mayor and also won his reelection bid, he would have to vacate his council seat to become mayor.
In that event, the same process used to replace Mayor Dipierro would be followed to replace Mr. LaMantia.
Mr. LaMantia, who has served on the council for three years and has served as school board president in the past, said he wanted to become mayor so that the borough continues in the right direction.
“I feel I have the time to do the job and the knowledge of the borough,” he said. “I also have the heart to work for the borough.”