5 seek 4 seats in Westmont

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October 19, 2009

By MIKE FAHER The Tribune-Democrat Mon Oct 19, 2009, 11:47 PM EDT

Zoning has been a hot issue in Westmont Borough recently.

But only one of the five candidates pursuing Borough Council seats in the Nov. 3 election is taking a firm stance against any additional commercial zoning in the West Hills suburb.

“I would continue to be against commercial zoning in Westmont,” said Lee William-son, a candidate and former council member. “I feel that the integrity of the borough would be challenged.”

An emotional zoning debate ended earlier this month when a Camp Hill company withdrew its request to rezone a residential area along Goucher Street.

The four other council candidates say they would not have approved that plan.

But they take a more moderate approach regarding any commercial zoning opportunities that may arise in the future, saying council has an obligation to carefully consider those proposals.

“Maybe there is a place for rezoning,” Councilman Don Hall said. “But it’s got to be done in such a way that we look at the big picture.”

With four council seats available, Hall is one of only two incumbents seeking new terms.

Current Councilmen Raymond Peterson and Jonathan Gleason decided to not run again.

• Hall, 66, of Colgate Avenue, owns Centennial Financial Group in downtown Johnstown.

He has served two terms on council and chairs its finance committee.

He said the borough must look at ways to increase its revenues, and he said long-term planning on a regional basis could help. Hall also said Westmont may have to take another look at regulating the activities of absentee landlords.

• Frank Bononno, 80, a Martha Lane resident, is the other incumbent running. Aside from a two-year stretch in the late 1990s, he has been a councilman since 1986.

The retiree said he is proud of the services Westmont offers its residents, and he said his experience is an asset.

“When I make a decision, I try to make it with the entire borough in mind,” Bononno said.

Three challengers also are vying for council seats:

• Jane Gleason, 47, of Stanford Avenue, is active on several community boards and is vice president of Gleason Inc. in Johnstown. She is a Westmont native who chose to move back and raise her family in the borough.

“The most important thing is to listen to what the residents want,” Gleason said. “I would not be running for Borough Council if I didn’t feel that I could make a difference.”

• Kevin Schrock of Christopher Street is a full-time Johnstown firefighter and a part-time paramedic.

At age 30, he is the youngest of the council candidates. But Schrock believes he can bring “a new voice” to council.

“I represent the next generation that’s going to be taking care of this borough,” Schrock said.

Neither Gleason nor Schrock has run previously for political office.

• Williamson, 65, previously served a council term from 2004-07.

He is chairman of Westmont Hilltop Recreation Commission and owns Williamson Insurance Agency on Diamond Boulevard.

Schrock is the only Democrat among the five candidates. The others are registered Republicans. However, Williamson, Gleason and Bononno gained enough write-in votes in the Democratic primary to cross-file with both parties for the general election.

Mayor Robert Callahan, a Republican, is unopposed.

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