News

Hazleton mayor

November 7, 2007

Barletta victorious by huge margin

Republican captures third straight term, knocking off Libertarian John Medashefski.

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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HAZLETON – Mayor Lou Barletta creamed his opponent, John Medashefski, by a 9-to-1 margin on Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

Not surprisingly, the 51-year-old Republican won his third consecutive term by a landslide, given that Barletta captured both the GOP nomination and the Democratic nod as well in the May primary with a last-minute write-in campaign.

Medashefski, a 52-year-old coffee shop owner and artist, ran on the Libertarian ticket in a terribly under-funded campaign with no TV advertising.

“Myself, as a newcomer, I guess expected what I got. But (Democratic city council candidates) Dickie (Cusatis) and Maureen (Pozzessere), I’m surprised at that,” Medashefski said from a seat in his Alter Street coffee shop almost two hours after the polls closed.

Cusatis and Pozzessere lost to Republican incumbents Joe Yannuzzi and Evelyn Graham.

Barletta attended a victory celebration with Yannuzzi and Graham at the Hazleton Elks Lodge.

“I’m very grateful to the voters of Hazleton for the confidence that they have again shown me. It’s the greatest honor in my lifetime to be the mayor of the town I was born and raised in and love so much,” Barletta said during the team’s victory party.

As for what he sees happening in the next four years, Barletta pointed to what he called “one of the most important projects in Hazleton’s future – the mineland reclamation project.”

“Not only is it important to us now, with the money we are receiving (from tipping fees) to put police on the street, but we need to find new revenue for our future, and that’s what that project will do. And someday, people will look back and be thankful that we took the initiative to begin that challenging project,” Barletta said.

Medashefski’s outlook for the city in the next four years isn’t as bright. He said he expects “the same old bull****.”

Medashefski has said the amphitheater planned for the reclamation site will do little for Hazleton’s economy.

During his campaign, Medashefski attacked Barletta on crime control and prevention, saying there was not enough police presence on the streets, and that “an army is only as good as its leader.”

He also criticized Barletta for continuing an appeal of a federal judge’s decision to strike down Hazleton’s illegal immigration ordinance, and predicted on Tuesday that legal fees would “bankrupt the city.”

In his victory speech, Barletta said he would “Keep working to make Hazleton the best place I can any way I can. … We – all of us – need to stand up together. We need to keep standing up for Hazleton. Today, you took an important first step. Tomorrow, stand with me again, and let’s get back to work,” Barletta said.

Steve Mocarsky, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 459-2005.

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