Primary Election 2023: Lock Haven City Council
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LOCK HAVEN – The Primary Election race for Lock Haven City Council features three Democratic candidates and three Republican candidates, including a write-in candidate. According to the Clinton County Voter Registrar's office, each party will have the opportunity to vote for -- or write-in -- three candidates that will move onto the November election. From there, three candidates will be elected to fill open seats on council.
The following is information about the candidates along with some Q&A responses:
HEATHER ALEXANDER
Heather Alexander is among three Democrats looking to earn a seat on Lock Haven City Council.
Alexander is a 1997 graduate of Bald Eagle Nittany High School and is currently employed with Woodlands Bank as the Lock Haven Branch assistant manager.
For over a decade, Heather has taken time to assist youth organizations. She's volunteered and held board positions within these organizations.
Heather is a member of the Mill Hall Methodist Church.
The Express recently asked Alexander six questions regarding herself and issues the City of Lock Haven currently faces:
Q: Why have you chosen to run for a seat on Lock Haven City Council?
Alexander: I have lived in the city for 17 years. My husband and I have raised our son here. I also have worked here in the city for the last nine years. I love being in this community and I can't think of a better way to give back than to get involved and fully understand how the city runs.
Q: The city has continued its efforts to balance its budget while attempting to avoid an increase in property taxes. What ideas do you have to maintain this goal?
Alexander: I, for one, appreciate the fact the city works hard to keep from increasing taxes. What I am learning is the importance of finding different avenues that can help fund the city. With that being said, I feel it is important that the council continue to support and work with the City Manager Greg Wilson in finding those avenues, like grants at the state and federal level.
Q: City council continues to discuss the future of City Hall. What approach do you feel the city should take when deciding to remain at its current location or build/find a new facility?
Alexander: Cost effectiveness. What is the best decision with the least impact on taxpayers, both now and long term.
Q: The city, along with Clinton County, continues to see a decline in qualified EMTs and other emergency personnel that could have an effect on services -- including at Lock Haven EMS. What ideas do you have to alleviate this critical issue?
Alexander: The medical field as a whole has been in decline. For me, I think opening the lines of communication. Talking with our local EMT's, getting their feedback on how we, as the city and community, can support them. Talking with LHU and KCSD on how we could support/offer EMS programs. Talking with the local hospitals.
Q: Downtown Lock Haven continues to see economic growth. How do you feel the city can continue to foster and build upon this growth?
Alexander: Keeping the community excited about coming to the city! I think Kira from Downtown Lock Haven does an amazing job! Keeping the lines of communication open with the local business owners, supporting Kira and Downtown Lock Haven.
Q: Where do you stand on police services, including having (or not) 24/7 coverage?
Alexander: This is a tough one. I live in the city; so, of course, I want to know we have local police 24/7. On the other side of that can the city afford police coverage 24/7? The police budget is a large percentage of the city budget. The decision will come now from the contract agreements/Arbitrator.
Q: Do you volunteer? If so, with what groups or organizations?
Alexander: I have volunteered in the past in local youth organizations. While I currently do not belong to any local groups or organizations, I do try to support where I can.
TAMI BRANNAN
Tami Brannan, a Democrat, is among those seeking one of three seats opening on Lock Haven City Council.
Brannan currently works for a tech company in a remote position. Before joining the corporate world she taught for 15 years. Prior to moving to Lock Haven, Brannan spent most of her life in Boise, Idaho, where she volunteered for various organizations. Those volunteer efforts continue in Lock Haven as well.
Brannan has volunteered for the Clinton County LGBTQ Network, Hope's Dream and Rescue Sanctuary, Treefort Music Fest, St. Luke's Hospital, Boise Public Library, Lee Pesky Learning Center, Interfaith Equality Coalition and the Boy Scouts of America.
The Express recently asked Brannan six questions regarding herself and issues the City of Lock Haven currently faces:
Q: Why have you chosen to run for a seat on Lock Haven City Council?
Brannan: I have chosen to run for a seat on the Lock Haven City Council to ensure all members of the Lock Haven community have a voice in their elected officials. I believe that local government is where you can make the most difference in the community to help all of the people prosper and have an excellent quality of life. I also love Lock Haven. My wife and I decided to buy a house here because of our love for the city and the community.
Q: The city has continued its efforts to balance its budget while attempting to avoid an increase in property taxes. What ideas do you have to maintain this goal?
Brannan: I appreciate this goal and will attempt to continue this if I am elected to city council. There are some interesting ways municipalities have tried to save money or increase revenue without causing an increase in property taxes. Ensuring the fees the city charges for services -- like building permits -- cover the costs to the city of doing the work around issuing that permit, and so on, will ensure that those services are not causing a drain to the taxes that do come in for other city expenses that are not fee based, like the police force. Without being privy to all details surrounding the budget, city services and more, I am not really able to make a hard and fast statement about what I would do, but I am very much willing to think outside of the box, look at what others have done in the same situation and find ways to ensure our citizens get the services they need without increasing their costs.
Q: City council continues to discuss the future of City Hall. What approach do you feel the city should take when deciding to remain at its current location or build/find a new facility?
Brannan: I think the main focus of this discussion needs to be around what the city can afford at this time. Continued exploration costs money, and the city has limited funds to spend towards updating or building a new City Hall. I have heard that the facilities in the current City Hall are less than desirable, especially in the basement areas, but there are options to repair and upgrade the building to make it work within the budget the city has without increasing taxes.
Q: The city, along with Clinton County, continues to see a decline in qualified EMTs and other emergency personnel that could have an effect on services -- including at Lock Haven EMS. What ideas do you have to alleviate this critical issue?
Brannan: One of the main ways we can help alleviate this issue is to get out there and recruit new first responders. There are probably people in the area that would be interested in joining the EMS and fire organizations, but have no idea how to go about doing that, or think there is no way they would be accepted as a volunteer. We can highlight the volunteers we do have to show that all kinds of people can do this. We can offer incentives for signing up to volunteer, and we can include volunteer recruiting as part of events that EMS and fire go to, like the recent event at the YMCA in Lock Haven.
Q: Downtown Lock Haven continues to see economic growth. How do you feel the city can continue to foster and build upon this growth?
Brannan: The growth in downtown is one of the reasons that Lock Haven is a thriving community. To continue to foster this growth, partnering with organizations like Downtown Lock Haven and the Clinton County Economic Partnership is key. It is also important that, as a city, we continue to improve the ease and time it takes for things like permits or licenses and the other steps associated with starting a new business to help encourage growth.
Q: Where do you stand on police services, including having (or not) 24/7 coverage?
Brannan: I can see the issue on both sides. Right now I am sure the police are asking for increased funding for some things, and with a lack of increase in tax income, the city is looking for ways to find the money for that request. One of the ways this is possible is through a reduction in the hours they pay out for police work. I do feel the repercussions of cutting the hours that there is policing available in the city are far and wide -- from a longer response time, when the only coverage would be the state police, to an increased risk for area businesses. I do not agree with cutting the hours that policing is available in Lock Haven, but I do think that there are ways to meet the needs of the city and the police force without increasing their budget.
Q: Do you volunteer? If so, with what groups or organizations?
Brannan: Absolutely! I have volunteered for various organizations since I was very young. My first major volunteering gig was as a candy striper at a hospital in my hometown. Currently I volunteer with the Clinton County LGBTQ Network, Lock Haven Paranormal Society and Hope's Dream Rescue & Sanctuary. I just joined a committee with Millbrook Playhouse and plan on becoming more involved this season. I am still getting to know organizations to volunteer for and will be adding more as I meet people around the community.
JEFF BRINKER
Jeff Brinker, a Republican, is looking to retain his seat on Lock Haven City Council.
Brinker was first elected to his role in 2021, to complete a term vacated by another council member. He is one of two Republicans that will be listed on the May 16 Primary ballot.
Brinker has worked at the Keystone Central School District for 28 years as a K-12 health and physical education teacher. He's also served as head soccer and wrestling coach.
His community service began over 30 years ago. In that time he's served as Clinton County Gideons president, president of West Branch Soccer Club, volunteered for the Wildcat Elementary Wrestling Club and Woolrich Little League. He is a member of House of the Lord Fellowship and serves on the Clinton County Republican Committee.
The Express recently asked Brinker six questions regarding himself and issues the City of Lock Haven currently faces:
Q: Why have you chosen to run for a seat on Lock Haven City Council?
Brinker: As a resident of the community for the past 17 years, I feel it is my responsibility to give back and serve my friends, neighbors, Lock Haven University and local businesses. I believe my professional experiences in teaching, coaching and serving on the current city council have given me a unique perspective to serve the community we all live in.
Q: The city has continued its efforts to balance its budget while attempting to avoid an increase in property taxes. What ideas do you have to maintain this goal?
Brinker: Inflation has been hard on us all. It has impacted the city's ability to meet the needs the community wants as well. We need to have leaders who think outside the box. For example, the alley's in the city are really bad, as everyone knows. In March, I approached our city manager and council about this problem. The city manager and DWP director are looking into new, creative, cost effective materials the city could potentially use to solve the alley problem.
Q: City council continues to discuss the future of City Hall. What approach do you feel the city should take when deciding to remain at its current location or build/find a new facility?
Brinker: I believe we owe it to our citizens to focus on being fiscally responsible. The council must come up with a solution that is a win-win for those working in City Hall and our taxpayers. I do not think refurbishing City Hall is the correct path to take. I would like us to collaborate with other organizations, agencies or Lock Haven University to see if there are buildings in our community we could use to meet the needs for City Hall.
Q: The city, along with Clinton County, continues to see a decline in qualified EMTs and other emergency personnel that could have an effect on services -- including at Lock Haven EMS. What ideas do you have to alleviate this critical issue?
Brinker: Our fire department, EMTs and police force are integrated pieces to the lifeblood of our community. Last year, I joined a joint task force that included all of these leaders within the emergency services in our community, Mr. Lynch, the KCSD-CTE principal, and Commissioner Harding to create a plan on how we could all come together and bring about a new curriculum to KCSD called Homeland Security Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services. KCSD school board unanimously voted to implement the curriculum for the 2023-2024 school year. We believe this is a step in the right direction to help foster volunteerism and increase the likelihood of students seeking these positions upon graduating from KCSD.
Q: Downtown Lock Haven continues to see economic growth. How do you feel the city can continue to foster and build upon this growth?
Brinker: Our city was nominated as one of the top 10 places for small businesses in the North East. To keep the momentum going, I believe the city needs to keep offering Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance and working with investors and entrepreneurs to invest downtown by continuing to offer business loans at a 1 percent interest rate up to $50,000.
Q: Where do you stand on police services, including having (or not) 24/7 coverage?
Brinker: There are levels of needs humanity must have for survival (water, food and shelter). The next is safety. We are seeing across America how defunding police has not reduced crime but instead encouraged lawlessness to the extent national retail stores are closing their doors. I do not want to see this happen here in our historic town. I am in favor of 24/7 coverage and would like to see Lock Haven and neighboring communities come together to create a Regional Police Department to reduce cost and make our communities safer.
Q: Do you volunteer? If so, with what groups or organizations?
Brinker: I volunteer as a coach with the CM elementary wrestling club, West Branch Soccer Club, I am the president of Clinton County Gideons, and a member of the House of the Lord Fellowship church.
DOUG BYLERY
Current Lock Haven City Councilmember Doug Byerly, a Republican, is looking to keep his seat on city council.
Byerly is also running for a Clinton County Board of Commissioners seat in this upcoming Primary. Byerly said, if he were to earn a position on both boards, he would choose only one seat to accept.
Byerly has served on city council for nearly two terms over eight years and has been a county resident since 1999.
He currently works at the world Campus of Penn State University as an admission counselor with a focus on the university's business-to-business partnerships.
While on city council, Byerly has served on various municipal and county boards including the Lock Haven Flood Protection Authority, the Clinton County Historical Society and the board of the Susquehanna Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He's also served on the Keystone Central School District Foundation Board, Leadership Clinton County Advisory Board, Clinton County Planning Commission, a trustee for the Ross Library, and Election Inspector for Lock Haven's 3rd Ward and is a 2003 Leadership Clinton County graduate.
The Express recently asked Byerly six questions regarding himself and issues the county is facing. These were his responses:
Q: Why have you chosen to run for a seat on Lock Haven City Council?
Byerly: I am in my second term on City Council and hope to be able to continue serving the citizens of the City of Lock Haven with a third term if fortunate to be elected. There are a number of significant projects that have been started in the past few years and I would like the opportunity to see these projects through to fruition.
Q: The city has continued its efforts to balance its budget while attempting to avoid an increase in property taxes. What ideas do you have to maintain this goal?
Byerly: The tax rate for property owners in the City of Lock Haven has reached a point where it is becoming difficult to maintain. I believe there are options such as exploration of the sale of at least one of the city utilities to stabilize the financial situation of the city for the years to come. Also, I believe the city needs to find a way to get out of the long term lawsuit involving the city's sewage treatment plant that continues to be a financial drain on the city finances.
Q: City council continues to discuss the future of City Hall. What approach do you feel the city should take when deciding to remain at its current location or build/find a new facility?
Byerly: I believe there are a few viable options for creating new/update administrative office space at one/more already city owned properties, including the Ross Library property. An alternative location for the city police might be able to be funded by resources available via state and federal grants. A key for me is to move forward to then allow the current City Hall building to be returned to the tax rolls by a private developer.
Q: The city, along with Clinton County, continues to see a decline in qualified EMTs and other emergency personnel that could have an effect on services -- including at Lock Haven EMS. What ideas do you have to alleviate this critical issue?
Byerly: As most know, the issue about the crisis in volunteer and paid personnel for EMT organizations (and Fire companies) is a nationwide issue. I believe locally we need to have serious conversations about integrating or collaborating organizations/functions to provide the opportunity to then operate from a position of strength both financially and from an organizational perspective.
Q: Downtown Lock Haven continues to see economic growth. How do you feel the city can continue to foster and build upon this growth?
Byerly: The downtown area of the city has seen positive growth and activity over the past 5-7 years with much of it due to young, enthusiastic business owners and efforts by the Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. organization, led by its Manager, Kira Rosamilia. I believe the Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. in cooperation with the city can find new and creative ways to offer support in ways such as a cooperative insurance plan that might benefit small business owners not able to offer or afford such plans/benefits to its employees.
Q: Where do you stand on police services, including having (or not) 24/7 coverage?
Byerly: Costs for the city's union based police services make up a significant portion of the overall city budget and as is public knowledge we are awaiting resolution of arbitration on a new contract. This impending decision will be a key factor to begin discussion on how to best offer adequate police coverage for our citizens and businesses. I believe the long term answer is to find a way to create a viable regional police force to then spread this cost across a larger and broader base of population.
Q: Do you volunteer? If so, with what groups or organizations?
Byerly: List of Service on Boards, Commissions and others: Lock Haven Flood Protection Authority; Boy Scouts of America-Susquehanna Valley Council Advisory Board; Clinton County Planning Commission; Jan. 2012-April 2015; Keystone Central School District Foundation; April 2013-April 2015; Leadership Clinton County Advisory Board; March 2013-April 2015; Clinton County Library Board (Anne Halenbake Ross Library) Board of Trustees: Feb. 2014- Nov. 2015; Jan. 2018-present; Millbrook Playhouse Board; March 2023-present; City of Lock Haven; City Council; Elected Nov. 2015; term Jan. 2016-Dec. 2020; January 2021-present.
Committees: Clinton County Solid Waste Authority (Recycling); Code Enforcement Board of Appeals & Review; Cable TV Advisory Committee; City Employee Retirement Fund (CERF); LHU Community Advisory Board; Clinton County Library (Ross Library) Board of Trustees; City Council Liaison; Downtown Lock Haven Inc. City Council Liaison.
ALEX DI COSTANZO
Alex Di Costanzo, a Democract, is looking to reclaim a seat on Lock Haven City Council.
Di Costanzo briefly served in the role following the resignation of then-member Bill Mincer in May 2021. In November of that year, Di Costanzo lost the seat to current member Jeff Brinker.
Di Costanzo is owner and operator of The White Knight's Game Room In Haven and SA Piper Logistics, both in Lock Haven. He has lived in the area for seven years, starting SA Piper Logistics in 2018 and the The White Knight's Game Room in 2022. Through each business he is a member of Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. and the Clinton County Economic Partnership.
Di Costanzo grew up on Long Island and received a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2014 from Binghamton University.
The Express recently asked Di Costanzo six questions regarding himself and issues the City of Lock Haven currently faces:
Q: Why have you chosen to run for a seat on Lock Haven City Council?
Di Costanzo: I love living and working in this city and want to help the city grow and prosper.
Q: The city has continued its efforts to balance its budget while attempting to avoid an increase in property taxes. What ideas do you have to maintain this goal?
Di Costanzo: Unfortunately there is no quick or easy solution here but I believe encouraging additional business growth and bringing jobs and new taxpayers to the area is a step in the right direction.
Q: City council continues to discuss the future of City Hall. What approach do you feel the city should take when deciding to remain at its current location or build/find a new facility?
Di Costanzo: I feel it's important to show the city we can take care of our own property, fix current issues with our City Hall and do our best to limit additional spending on a new facility.
Q: The city, along with Clinton County, continues to see a decline in qualified EMTs and other emergency personnel that could have an effect on services -- including at Lock Haven EMS. What ideas do you have to alleviate this critical issue?
Di Costanzo: I have limited experience in this area but there might be room to offer incentives to encourage individuals to pursue this area of expertise.
Q: Downtown Lock Haven continues to see economic growth. How do you feel the city can continue to foster and build upon this growth?
Di Costanzo: I want to bring and start additional businesses downtown to encourage travel from neighboring cities to Lock Haven.
Q: Where do you stand on police services, including having (or not) 24/7 coverage?
Di Costanzo: I think it comes down to the change in response times, are we going to see a significant decrease? What are comparable cities our size in Pennsylvania doing? This needs to be a data driven conversation.
Q: Do you volunteer? If so, with what groups or organizations?
Di Costanzo: I do not currently volunteer but I do donate space and labor to Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
ALLEN NEVILLE
Lock Haven resident Allen Neville, a Republican, is hoping to earn a spot on Lock Haven City Council through a write-in campaign during the May 16 Primary election.
Neville has lived in the city for 27 years with his wife, Shirlene.
Neville describes himself as a Christian and pro-life, and said he will work for the city's residents.
"I will not sit on council and not do anything. I am a hard worker, so if someone needs help in Lock Haven I will be the first one to help," Neville said.
To have a shot at punching his ticket for the November election, Neville must receive a minimum of 100 write-in votes, according to the county voter registrar's office. This is the same number of signatures needed on a petition.
From there, the office said Neville would need to earn at minimum the top three highest number of votes to find a spot on the fall ballot.
Neville is a Jersey Shore Area Senior High School graduate who has served as a substitute janitor at both the Jersey Shore and Keystone Central school districts. He is also a former chaplain at Susque-View Nursing Home.
He resides in Lock Haven with his wife.