Six candidates vie for four seats on Palmerton council

Six people are running for four open seats on Palmerton Borough Council.

We asked the candidates to respond to a question about what they would do to improve the community through the office they are seeking. They were limited to 175 words. Their answers are in their own words.

Randy Gursky did not respond in time for publication.

Michael Ballard

Ballard is a current councilman.

Palmerton is a town worth protecting, and we have to spend our tax dollars the right way. Since I have been a borough councilperson, our taxes only went up once in eight years, and that was only 2¼ mills. We as a council paved our streets and alleys, and we also make sure our police department has the equipment it needs to serve and protect.

Also, we have saved the borough thousands and thousands of dollars by redoing older bonds to get a better interest rate. I also want to make sure our first line of protection, our fire personnel, and fire police benefit from Act 172, which gives them a tax break. Also, now we need to start moving on getting our department a new pumper to help them do their jobs better and safer. So please re-elect me on Nov. 7.

Jeremy Barbosa

I was born and raised in Palmerton. My family is here, and I work in the borough at American Zinc Recyclers. My grandparents all immigrated here to live the American dream and picked Palmerton due to employment with the company.

I want to continue the great tradition of Palmerton being a great place to live. I made a choice to raise my son here because how great this community is.

I am very invested in the community, and want to see it continue to succeed. Palmerton continues to grow, and not unlike other towns it struggles, but I feel I can work with my borough council members and keep our town strong and encourage positive growth.

We continue to see house sales stay strong, as well as the upcoming development of the West Plant.

I would love to continue to help out with my community and become elected to council. This truly is a great pace to live.

Bill Gallagher

Bill Gallagher serves on Palmerton’s Borough Council, planning commission and is president of Meals on Wheels of Palmerton. He is a member of both the American Legion, VFW and serves in the Honor Guard. He held managerial positions with Georgia Pacific and Lafarge Corporations for 35 years. Bill served 4½ years in the Army, as a Captain and Company Commander in Vietnam, was awarded the Bronze Star.

As a member of the American Legion, VFW and Vietnam veterans of Carbon County plus United Way Committees I often attend meetings outside Palmerton. I am constantly reminded of what a wonderful community Palmerton is to live.

The Northface project at the old West Plant site should conclude within the next four years. This project could have a significant impact on the future of our borough. By serving on borough council I want to continue to be involved in any decision making process with this project to ensure Palmerton remains the town that I am proud to call home.

Kris Hoffner

Kris Hoffner, vice president of Palmerton Borough Council, is running to serve his third term.

In 1979 he earned a B.S. in elementary education from East Stroudsburg University. He is a retired teacher and coach from the Palmerton Area School District.

Hoffner serves on the Civil Service Commission, Holiday Lighting Committee, Raising the House Foundation, and as the chairman of the Carbon County Council of Governments.

I have always believed that Palmerton is a great place to live. My main goal as borough councilman is to maintain the quality of life for our citizens that I have always enjoyed while living in Palmerton. As a council, we have worked collaboratively to establish a municipal fire department and build a new fire station, among other projects that serve the residents of Palmerton. I would like to maintain this spirit of cooperation for the next four years.

Hoffner would also like to see the development of the Northface property, the former site of the NJZ Company into a high-tech industrial park.

Richard Nothstein

I graduated from Palmerton High School, and received my BS and MA degrees from Northern Arizona University. I taught 22 years in California and Palmerton, was part owner and manager of Golden Key IGA for 30 years, and I am currently part owner of Country Harvest Market. I have served as a church council member, and as a member of the Shepherd House Board, a Special Olympics Coach, on veterans’ projects, and Palmerton Borough Council.

My goal as a member of the Palmerton Borough Council would be to keep Palmerton pretty much the way it is, with updates as needed to keep us up with the times. Most people live here because it is the way it is. We have a well- trained and dedicated police force and fire department. Our streets are the best around, the business district serves the community well, our citizens are proud and generous to help others. I would like to keep Palmerton, Palmerton! Not perfect, but the best around.