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WILKES-BARRE — Democrat Jessica McClay announced her candidacy for the District E seat on city council.

McClay, 44, is the second person running in the May 21 primary to replace councilman Mike Merritt, also a Democrat, who will not seek a fourth, four-year term.

“I am a lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre and have raised my family here in the city,” McClay said. “I have been an active member in our community for well over 25 years.”

McClay serves on the city Traffic Committee. Previously she served on the Wilkes-Barre Fire Civil Service Commission. She also coached T-ball and softball and was the president of the North Wilkes-Barre Little League.

She graduated from James M. Coughlin High School and attended Luzerne County Community College. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Bloomsburg University and graduated cum laude. McClay said she also works in the downtown at Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies.

“As your councilwoman, I will work on improving the safety in the neighborhoods to allow for residents and families to enjoy living in the city. I believe that if we can get our neighborhood back to a community that we all care about, it will help in reducing the crime,” McClay said.

City finances and blight are two issues that cause concern for McClay.

“As a homeowner, I understand the importance of containing expenses,” McClay said. She added that she will work within the budget and, where possible, attempt to lower expenses.

“Blighted properties will be a target of mine,” McClay said. “I walk our city streets almost nightly and I am upset and sometimes angry at the conditions that our streets and buildings have become. By addressing these properties it will have an impact on reducing crime in our area making our community a cleaner and safer place to live.”

McClay
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_JMcClay-WB-council.jpg.optimal.jpgMcClay

By Jerry Lynott

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Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.