Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

Jennifer Bryan and William Fink have applied for the open Tyrone Borough Council seat vacated by Sarah Jane Miller who resigned to handle family matters.
The Daily Herald asked five questions to the two candidates to give the electorate a chance to learn about the candidates.
The interviews will be held by the sitting Borough Council members on Monday, October 7.
Both candidates were asked: Why they wanted to be a Council person?
“I am tired of hearing of negativity,” said Bryan, “I would like to give back to my community and would like to help make Tyrone a better place.”
Fink replied, “I want to be on Borough Council because I think the citizens of Tyrone, the residents of this community need someone who will represent them. Who will provide them with information and who will go out and touch each of them and ask them for their input into what they believe is in the best interest of the community. Someone who will work proactively with both the sitting council and the community. But I will stand my ground if I don’t believe what is taking place is in the best interest of the entire community.”
They were both asked: What are some of the items that Council needs to address?
“Council needs to address a lot of issues,” said Fink. “One of the issues was addressed by Chris Lash (Daily Herald General Manager) with regards to public safety. Chris only addressed the issues of additional full time police officers which is really very important. One of the other issues of public safety is we have three fire departments in this town and those three fire departments need to have some serious attention. I keep hearing that the Hookies doesn’t need attention because they have all the money. That’s not the point. There is funding available for fire departments, there is funding for police departments there is money that is accessable that can increase those public safety entities and we should go forth with vigor to get that money and put it where it is needed. Equipment is important and bodies who are well trained are equally important. The Borough needs to step up to the plate and do it quickly.
“Another thing that needs addressed is the community as a whole,” said Fink. “I will only say this once. We have put a lot of money into the downtown. Enough is enough. We have the rest of this community that needs attention and it is time to give that portion of the community attention. I’ve talked to people all over town and I’ve even talked to the Merchants Association. There are things that can be done. There are things that we can do as a community, but more importantly there are things that they can do as a governing body to improve the quality of life among the entire community. We need to work dilligently to reclassify this community as something other than a low to moderate income community. The reason we need to do that is to attract business and industry. You need to assure the people coming in her with that business and industry that the people here can afford to buy the product.”
Bryan responded, “I need to find out the function of Council. I want to do what I can to enhance the Borough, I want to see the storefronts open again. I’d like to see Tyrone come back to what it was years ago.”
The two applicants were asked: What can the people of Tyrone expect from you if you are appointed?
“They can expect me to fulfill the vacancy,” said Bryan. “I will give my best in the time I have alotted. Hopefully I can contribute something positive.”
Fink responded, “People can expect to talk to me at any point and time. They can come to me or I may go to them. They can expect me to work with everything I have to get a partnership going with the surrounding townships. I have talked with the folks from Snyder, Antis and Bellwood Borough. I plan to attend some of their meetings. Hear what they have out there as feelers and try to bring some of that into the community. This community must partner with these other surrounding governing bodies. Work together, even if it means sharing grant monies. Make Tyrone a part of what is going to happen as I-99 is completed as things start to move in this direction. Bellwood has already shown extreme progress with businesses and industry. Snyder Township is already showing an increase with Smith Transport. Somewhere in and around there, the people working at these businesses need a place to live. They can’t fit them all into a two block area in downtown. We’ve got to make the rest of this community an attractive, quiet, safe place for people to bring their families to live.”
They were asked: How many Council meetings they have attended?
“I’ve been to every meeting since I returned home in July of last year and have come out of the meetings with more questions than answers,” said Fink.
Bryan replied, “I have never been to a Council meeting. I need to learn the by-laws and what is expected. I want to be able to work with the Mayor and the Borough manager.”
The final question was what do you feel you can bring to the Council?
“I’ve been in management for 15 years,” said Bryan. “I am a good listener. I evaluate things before making decisions. I listen to staff and upper management. I check both sides of the story and investigate before making a decision.”
Fink replied, “I will bring issues to the public, not keeping them behind closed doors. I encourage people to come to Council meetings, stand up and be heard. The Borough works for the citizens. I want the Council to hear the concerns, praises and what needs to be done for the community.”
The interviews will be at the Council meeting October 7 at the Tyrone Borough building. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

By Rick