Yannuzzi holds seat in Hazleton

Municipal politics Longtime council member Graham defeated by newcomers Bast, Mope

HAZLETON – Republican Mayor Joe Yannuzzi eked out a victory on Tuesday to retain the chief executive’s post in a heavily Democratic city.

Yannuzzi, 74, gave up his seat as council president last December to accept council’s appointment to fill the unexpired term of Lou Barletta, who resigned as mayor to take office as U.S. representative for the 11th Congressional District.

On Tuesday, Yannuzzi held onto the mayor’s seat, walking away with 1,489 votes to Democrat Grace Cuozzo’s 1,331 and Independent John Medashefski’s 336, according to unofficial election results.

Those numbers equate to Yannuzzi nabbing 47 percent of the vote, Cuozzo 42 percent and Medashefski 11 percent.

The win is noteworthy, given that registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans in Hazleton by nearly 2-to-1.

Yannuzzi surmised the race was so close because of low voter turnout and a general dissatisfaction with incumbents.

“I’m very, very pleased to get the opportunity to serve the public for another four years. That was my goal,” Yannuzzi said during a victory party at the Hazleton Elks Club.

“I think the people appreciate what I’ve done for the city and accepted the changes I’ve made.”

Accomplishments

Throughout his campaign, Yannuzzi touted a number of accomplishments during his tenure, such as the installation of 33 surveillance cameras throughout the city at no cost to taxpayers, saving $120,000 over two years by bidding out insurance coverage, restoring the police department’s complement to 40 officers and getting the city’s books in the black by borrowing money to pay off outstanding debt.

His plans are “to stay on the track I’m on” and keep the city moving forward. A major focus will be the $27 million state-financed Hazleton Betterment Project, also known as the Broad Street Corridor project, to widen and beautify Broad Street – the city’s main downtown thoroughfare – as Yannuzzi believes it will improve the city’s image and help attract business and investment.

During their campaigning, all three candidates had agreed that crime and community development were two of the biggest issues facing the city. Cuozzo and Yannuzzi also ranked finances as a top concern, while Medashefski said he would need to review the unreleased 2010 audit before commenting.

Yannuzzi contended that a $5.6 million loan the city took out earlier this year would take care of years of unpaid bills and put Hazleton in the black, while Cuozzo insisted that paying off a $3 million tax anticipation note with part of the long-term loan proceeds was bad business sense and against state rules.

Cuozzo’s complaint

Cuozzo filed a complaint with the state Department of Community and Economic Development in July, challenging the legality of the loan. DCED dismissed the complaint and Yannuzzi lambasted Cuozzo, accusing her of costing the city thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend against the complaint.

The race got personal last month when Yannuzzi questioned Cuozzo’s fitness to hold office because she’s disabled.

Yannuzzi had said he wanted to know more about Cuozzo’s physical disabilities. Cuozzo had responded that it was nobody’s business and brought up Yannuzzi’s diabetes and how much longer he’s statistically expected to live.

As for city council, political newcomers Keith Bast and Jean Mope won the two open seats, sending longtime Republican Councilwoman Evelyn Graham packing come January.

Bast, a teacher at Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville who won a Republican nomination as well as a Democratic write-in nod in May, captured 2,264 votes, while Democrat Mope, who unsuccessfully ran for council two years ago, collected 1,606. Graham, who served a term on council from 1992 through 1995 and three more from 2000 to present, took in 1,381.

Clear 60°

News

Accomplishments

Cuozzo’s complaint

Place Quick Ads