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James
Republican William “Bill” James, 66, of Exeter Township, has announced his candidacy for Luzerne County Council.
Born and raised in Kingston, James attended Kingston public schools and graduated from the first class at Luzerne County Community College with a degree in architectural engineering technology. He also attended Long Island University and Hunter College in New York.
James entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1963, serving in the United States and overseas on isolated duty in the early Vietnam era. He received an honorable discharge in 1967.
He started BJ Electrical Contractors Inc. in 1983 and was recognized as a small businessman of the year in 2003.
His announcement lists numerous associations. For example, he coached mini football with the Forty Fort Flyers, served on Forty Fort Borough Council and has served as a Republican committee person in Exeter Township for 38 years.
James ran on the Republican ticket for state representative twice. He won the Republican primary in the 2003 race for county commissioner against Greg Skrepenak and Todd Vonderheid but lost in the general election. James publicly endorsed home rule in that county commissioner race.
James, a father of five, married the former Kathleen Charney in 1973.
He said he has often publicly expressed his views on county government and will work with all residents to “address corruption.”
“I will work to correct financial mismanagement. I will work to finalize and clarify reassessment to satisfy the people of Luzerne County. I will work to open the county doors to the people and the media,” James wrote. “Now is the time to bring back honesty to the people and our county.”