Two approaches, one goal

SHAMOKIN - The two candidates for mayor of Shamokin couldn't be more different.

One is a U.S. Navy retiree who spends much of his time at city hall and "pounding the streets."

The other is an experienced public official who spends her hours pouring over city financial documents, searching for solutions to the city's financial woes.

But, both are currently members of city council and both will turn 75 years-old before the year is over.

On Tuesday, residents will have to decide whether Democrat George Rozinskie Jr. or Republican Betsy Richardson is more suited to the task of city mayor.

Rozinskie beat longtime Councilman R. Craig Rhoades in the primary election by a margin of 32 votes.

Council terms for both Richardson and Rozinskie are up this year, so the loser of the mayoral race will no longer be part of council. Rhoades's council term ends in 2011.

Current mayor Ronald "Lum" Bradley did not seek re-election.

The two candidates have faced off on several occasions during council meetings since January, when Richardson was appointed. Rozinskie has been a council member for four years. Richardson previously served as a council member for 16 years. She was also a school board director and served as Republican committeewoman.

The two candidates took time last week to answer some questions and promote their views at The News-Item offices. Richardson was armed with a folder packed with city financial records. Rozinskie brought along some prepared statements for potential questions.

It was clear the candidates have a very different approach to public office.

While Richardson is known for her relentless pursuit of the facts, Rozinskie said he has been "pounding the streets" and making himself available to the citizens.

Since the two are retired, both refer to themselves as "full-time mayors."

Both candidates said the city's financial situation is the biggest priority to be addressed. But, they have varying degrees of concern.

Since her appointment in January, Richardson has brought up the city's financial woes on many occasions. She has worked to find ways the city can save money, even calling a series of five meetings to talk specifically about an impending deficit and lack of cash flow.

Richardson touts her past government experience and said she has been working as director of accounts and finances to get the city's financial situation cleaned up.

"I arrived on council in January 2009 after the large deficit had been declared," she said. "I have tried to get myself in place to look into the expenses and get some things cleared up."

Though Rozinskie admits he is not a "financial person," he knows there is a problem that must be addressed. He said revenues received through the county's judicial sale should help the city.

"Shamokin's my home ... I want to see the finances get to where they should be and I also want to see the area be the coal region proud area," he said.

Budget concerns

In mid-October, it was revealed that the city may just end the year in the black. About $800 may be left in the city's fund balance, City Treasurer Brenda Scandle said.

Ever cautious, Richardson said she is still very concerned that the city could easily slip back into financial ruin.

"While it may look a little better, there are no new revenues piling in," she said, adding that the judicial revenues may help next year's budget.

"People are relieved that the deficit is looking better, but there is a $2.7 million debt and that had to happen somewhere," she added.

Rozinskie maintains he is not worried.

"At the end of year, I don't think we will have a deficit," he said. He said $160,000 was saved by departments within the city in the past year, including the fact that two police officers retired and two part-time police clerks were laid off.

"We need to keep spending down to a minimum and need to provide services while keeping a close eye on the budgets," Rozinskie said. "It will take time to get the city back on solid footing."

Tough choices

Richardson prides herself on making informed decisions, regardless of her popularity. She isn't afraid of pointing out a negative situation and if given the responsibility, feels that she has to present all the angles.

"I take that as a very serious responsibility and if I see that black is black and white is white ... I have to research it and have all the information. I take responsibility no matter what the repercussions are for me."

In fact, Richardson has come under fire by residents after suggesting the city's pool remain closed for the 2009 season. She has also suggested on numerous occasions that layoffs might be necessary for the city to survive.

While she didn't say that she would suggest the pool be closed for the 2010 season, she said "expenses would have to be looked at very carefully."

Rozinskie is not in favor of closing the pool.

"It would be a negative for the kids in the area," he said. Also, he said closing the pool could be just the beginning of cutting city services. "If the pool closes, what is next? The library, fire companies. There will be nothing left for people in the town."

Taxes

Both Richardson and Rozinskie said the city will have to petition the court to continue to collect the additional 5-mill tax. Last year, representatives from the city told the court it was necessary to collect the additional tax, which is above the maximum tax allowed by a third-class city.

Richardson said the city must show real cuts and savings made to the court, in order to have the mills imposed again.

"We will have to take the bull by the horns if we are going to go to court and ask to continue to allow us to collect 5 mills," she said. "If the court doesn't grant 5 mills, we are definitely in trouble."

"It is not that I want layoffs or cuts in services or cuts in anything, however we have a responsibility to manage the city," Richardson said.

Rozinskie said he hopes properties sold during the county judicial sale return to the tax rolls. The income may make up the difference of the revenue that is realized from the 5-mill court-approved real estate tax, he said.

The city relies on money received from the state through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. As a result of the budget impasse, the city has yet to receive any of that money for this year. These funds pay for street paving and some expenses related to the pool.

Both Richardson and Rozinskie said a major concern is paying heating-related costs for the American Legion building.

Rozinskie said the Shamokin Youth Basketball League (SYBL) should help foot the bill. SYBL currently gives the city a modest donation yearly, he said.

Rozinskie maintains that the bleak picture of the city's finances is "not as bad as everyone is saying." But, he admits that change is necessary.

"City council, for many years, let a lot of things drag and now the present people are putting up with all the problems," he said. Though he knows he was part of that past council, he said he saw the problems immediately but "didn't see any way out of it."

Sign up for Text Alerts

Sign up for e-mail newsletters