Council incumbents have a tough night in Dunmore

BY MEGAN REITER (STAFF WRITER)
Published: May 20, 2009

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Of the three Dunmore Borough Council incumbent candidates vying for a Democratic nomination, only one came out on top, according to unofficial county results from Tuesday's primary election with all precincts reporting.

Timothy Burke captured one of three open bids and will be on the ballot in November, beating out fellow incumbents Melanie Naro - the current council president - and Gerry Hart.

Mr. Burke garnered the most votes, followed by newcomers Gene Ruddy and Carol Scrimalli, respectively. If elected to another term, Mr. Burke promised to stick to borough contracts and be diligent with promotions and bids for work.

Along with candidate Frank O'Neill, Ms. Naro and Mr. Hart campaigned together on a platform that promised the tenacity to make tough financial decisions. The election follows a tumultuous six months in the borough, starting with the council majority's decision in December to raise property taxes by 36 percent.

Both Ms. Naro and Mr. Hart voted for the increase, which was earmarked for debt service. Mr. Burke cast one of the three dissenting votes. He also voted against the hiring of new Police Chief Patrick Reese, who planned a council run before his appointment.

The Police Department filed four grievances in one month, and the 235 acres of Dunmore-owned land in Dickson City, once earmarked for a potential golf course, remains undeveloped. Dunmore borough officials have a May 29 court date to request permission to borrow more than $1.3 million for the underfunded 2008 budget.

Though he lost a Democratic bid for council, it appears Joseph Talutto has the tax collector race all but locked up. He ran unopposed but could face competition from Louis Paciotti, who waged a write-in campaign, the results of which were unavailable Tuesday night.

DUNMORE BOROUGH COUNCIL (3 seats)

DEMOCRATS

ï¿½ Timothy M. Burke 1,567

ï¿½ Gene Ruddy 1,348

ï¿½ Carol Scrimalli 1,281

Michael F. McHale 1,264

Joseph R. Formica 167 Gerard C. Hart 904

Michael Hayes 759

Melanie Naro 785

Frank M. O'Neill 948

Joe Talutto 862

REPUBLICANS

No candidates on ballot

DUNMORE SCHOOL BOARD (4 seats)

DEMOCRATS

ï¿½ Michael H. Butler 2,167

ï¿½ John W. Farris 2,139

ï¿½ Michael Sid Hallinan 2,135

ï¿½ John V. Summa 2,217

REPUBLICANS

ï¿½ Michael H. Butler 249

ï¿½ John W. Farris 255

ï¿½ Michael Sid Hallinan 246

ï¿½ John V. Summa 271

DUNMORE MAYOR

DEMOCRATS

ï¿½ Patrick W. Loughney 2,878

REPUBLICANS

No candidates on ballot

DUNMORE TAX COLLECTOR

DEMOCRATS

ï¿½ Joseph Talutto 1,782

REPUBLICANS

No candidates on ballot

DUNMORE CONTROLLER

DEMOCRATS

ï¿½ Andrew A. Genovese 2,281

REPUBLICANS

No candidates on ballot

Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com

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Tim Maloney owes more back taxes than half the borough... Who are you to talk about financial affairs

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DJ, 05/22/09 05:09

It appears based on the article and outcome of the election that in "Dunmore" education is looked on as a negative. While I have no doubt that Mr. Burke, Mr.Ruddy and Mrs. Scrimalli are honest and well intentioned I am worried that they do not have the tools needed to deal with the complex issues they will be facing. We will have 7 council people and 3 undergraduate degrees??? I hope nothing to complicated arises or the money we will spend on consultants and attorneys will wipe out and tax decreases! And to add fuel to the fire we have Mr.Nardozzi in charge! Give me a break!

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mary, 05/21/09 06:07

Tim Maloney - Pay your taxes and help out the borough from the financial state of affairs you are lamenting.

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J, 05/21/09 11:21

I'm not certain if I should be offering congratulations, or sympathy to the winners of the Dunmore Council race. Given the financial state of affairs, this definitely comes under the heading of, " Careful What You Wish For, Because You Just Might Get It." I know both Jerry Hart and Frank O'Neil,both good, bright, honest, well intentioned people. It's a shame that at least for now, they will not be serving our community in an official capacity. However,I'm sure, at least I'd like to believe, that Dunmore has not heard the last from either. In the mean time, good luck to the winners. Professional, selfless attitudes, with an agenda based on progress, reform, and honesty, should be the order of the day, and a blueprint to follow as we go forward. Again, to Tim, Paul, and Carol, as well as to Jerry, Frank, and Melanie, good luck. Your efforts are appreciated. Thanks for caring, and showing a willingness to serve!

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Tim Maloney, 05/21/09 01:01

Still hope the recount sees Mike McHale getting elected. He is just what the borough needs.

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Helen, 05/20/09 07:48

congrads to tim burke. i hope you will do a good job

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Jared, 05/20/09 07:25

Nice people,those just elected to council. But come on now! Popularity contests are for electing the King & Quenn of the Prom -not for people to run this borough.

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Mary A. McGeehan, 05/20/09 03:50

I have called and congratulated Mrs. Scrimalli, Mr. Burke. Mr Ruddy and Mr. McHale in the event the unofficial count changes. I wish them well and good luck when they are sworn in. They ran great campaigns. To everyone who supported Frank, Melanie and me, allow me to express my deepest thanks.

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Jerry Hart, 05/20/09 12:04

Good luck to the new council..and to the rest of us! Scranton is not the only place that should worry about a drain drain. Dunmore just drained the brains out of council.

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Kathy English, 05/20/09 11:43

Thank you to all who supported Melanie, Jerry and I. We do have Dunmore's best interest at heart. Congratulations to Tim, Gene and Carol for a good, clean campaign and impressive victory. I offer any support and help I may provide in the future.
Frank M. O'Neill

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Frank M. O'Neill, 05/20/09 11:36

CONGRATS TO MR BURKE, MR RUDDY, AND MS SCRIMALLI NOW MAYBE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE RIGHT WITH YOU AND THE EXISTING MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND DUNMORE CAN MOVE FORWARD..

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someone who cares, 05/20/09 11:28

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Frank M. O'Neill, 05/20/09 11:00

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Frank M. O'Neill, 05/20/09 10:55

WNEP said McHale won. What is the official count?

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Tony, 05/20/09 10:21

Melanie 8th place out of 10! Congratulations on being swept out of office as council president - the shame you brought the borough is over!

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WJS, 05/20/09 08:52

Congratulations Mr. Burke, Ruddy and Ms. Scrimalli - the voters have spoken!

Adios Queen Naro and Jester Hart - don't let the door hit you on the way out... Nice work Frank O'Neill this is what happens when you hitch your lasso to a crashing meteorite instead of a shooting star - clown!

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Stuart, 05/20/09 08:50

A great start but still a large problem that must be solved in Dunmore.

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Dunmore concern, 05/20/09 08:43

Goodbye Mel, goodbye Gerry! Your smiling faces and positive attitudes will be as missed as the bubonic plague!

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Joey, 05/20/09 08:13

Good Luck Dunmore Council
One bit of advice why not concentrate on getting manufacturers into this area do something with that rca building it seems ever since they jumped ship Dunmore has been suffering.

Council incumbents have a tough night in Dunmore

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