TimesLeader.com

ELECTION 2009

November 8

Goldsworthy survives challenge in West Pittston

Independents win in Wyoming Area; Judge Thomas Burke retained

By Jack Smiles jsmiles@psdispatch.com
Times Leader Staff Writer

Of eight mayoral races in the Greater Pittston area only three were contested. In those contested races in Dupont, West Pittston and Wyoming Boroughs the incumbents won handily.

In Dupont Daniel A. Lello (D) defeated Robert G. Kolankoski (R) 545 -254. In Wyoming Bob Boyer (D) defeated Jeremy A. Nelson (R) 612- 316. The closest race was in West Pittston where Bill Goldsworthy (R), getting 59 percent of the vote, defeated Brian C. Vandermark (D) 893- 611.

A rule of thumb in West Pittston is that a new candidate will automatically get around 400 votes. If that’s the case, it means Vandermark pulled about 200 likely Goldsworthy voters, which, Goldsworthy admitted, is pretty good. “Two hundred is respectable,” Goldsworthy said. “He congratulated me and I congratulated him on a nice campaign. I was happy because I didn’t put out a lot of signs and I only sent out one mailer. He knocked on a lot of doors and I gave him a lot of credit for that. We are going top sit down and talk about a few things.”

The West Pittston council race, where five candidates ran for four seats, saw former county sheriff Barry L. Stankus (D/R) emerge as the biggest vote-getter among all the borough council candidates area-wide. He got 1,060 votes. Incumbents Brian Thornton (D/R) and Peter Musinski were second and third and Barry Hosier (R) was fourth, which left incumbent Kevin Lescavage the odd man out.

Goldsworthy wasn’t surprised to see Stankus do well. “He’s well known. He grew up in West Pittston. He was the sheriff of county. I get along with him well. I get along with all the council members.”

Goldsworthy said he spoke to West Pittston resident Judge Tom Burke who won retention in a tough “throw-the-bums-out” year county-wide. “West Pittston came out strong for Judge Burke. Over 1000 yes votes over the nos. I talked with him and he’s very appreciative,” Goldsworthy said.

In the Avoca, Duryea, Exeter, and Hughestown boroughs incumbent mayors Robert Mullen (D), Keith A. Moss (D/R), Cassandra Coleman (D/R) and Paul T. Hindmarsh (D) were unopposed. In Pittston City newcomer Jason Klush won unopposed.

There were council or supervisor seats on the ballots in the nine boroughs, Pittston and the three townships, but here again few were contested. Of those that were contested one was very close in Jenkins Township where incumbent democrat Joseph Zelonis defeated republican Rita Gubbiotti 669-602 or 52-47 percent.

In Duryea where six candidates ran for four council seats, Joan M. Orloski (D/R), Audrey Collier Marcinko and Mike McGlynn were the top three while Frank A. Groblewski (R) edged Stan Kapish (D) by five votes for the fourth seat.

In Exeter where four ran for three council seats, Joseph Pizano (D/R), Thomas Shannon and Daniel DeRoberto (D/R) were the winners and Dale A. Skursky, running as an Independent, fell 29 votes short of the third spot.

In Dupont where four ran for three seats, the winners were Stanley Knick Jr. (D), Bernard J. Zielinski (D), and Mark Kowalczyk (D). Bruce Washney (R) was the loser.

In Wyoming – one of only two local boroughs where council members are elected by ward, Avoca being the other – there was a race in the third ward, where incumbent Michael J. Baloga (R) defeated Joseph J. Scaltz (D) 263-171. Scaltz had been a second ward council member, but had to run again when he moved to the third ward.

For Pittston City council Michael Lombardo and Joseph Chernouskas walked in uncontested.

Also there were no contests for council in Hughestown, West Wyoming, Yatesville, Dupont, the first and second wards of Wyoming, and all three Avoca wards.

In Pittston Township, Stephen Rinaldi (D) doubled up Dominick Pepe (R) for a two-year supervisor seat.

In Exeter Township, where three were running for two supervisor seats, a newcomer took one of them. Ben Gadomski (D) was second to incumbent Richard E. Overman II (D/R) who got 495 votes. Gadomski (D) defeated Mary Frances Martin (R) 361-346.

Gadomski, 47, never ran for office before. “I’m a little nervous and excited,” he said. “I walked around and told the residents I’m for them. I want to be a voice for them.”

Both local magistrates Fred A. Pierantoni III and Joseph J. Carmody were reelected without opposition.

There were changes in the school boards. In Pittston Area where five ran for four seats, Bruce Knick (D) was the top vote-getter with 4,315, followed by Ross J. Latona (D/R), Bob Linskey Jr. (D/R) and Marilyn Starna (D/R). Robert F. Lampman (D) lost out.

In Wyoming Area School District, where six ran for four seats, the outcome was historic as it is believed that two of the winners Frank Casarella and Gil Dominick, are the first Independents ever elected. They ran as a team.

Voters also retained a team of incumbents, John Bolin and John Marianacci.

Incumbent John A. LaNunziata and Michael A. Aufiere were the losers.