I acknowledge the fact that we will always have some element of crime. But it is the relatively new occurrences of violent crime that are particularly disturbing. I want to focus on and stop the most violent crimes that inflict our citizens.

I want NO murders, NO shootings, NO rapes.

One child accidentally shot on a playground is TOO many. One woman raped is TOO many!

It's these types of violent crimes that have built the "perception of crime" and done damage to our city's image. Believe me, this "perception of crime" has existed long before this current election and has nothing to do with anyone's campaign. People are still shocked when they read about a shooting! It's natural for them to feel frightened. The out-going Wolf administration and her carbon-copy friends who are running against me have told you "everything is fine". This does not instill faith that our city is doing anything to curtail the situation. Worse, the actual crime facts and figures had been misrepresented by the out-going administration this past spring in an attempt to convince the people that things were getting better.

People know better. It's not just Williamsport citizens who feel this way, it’s the entire county. Many people from the surrounding communities are afraid to visit Williamsport at night. Don't laugh; this is a true fact. They feel "Why take a chance?". Locally, it's even worse, some people have moved from their own neighborhoods for safety concerns. Our own Chief of Police and Safety Director do not live in the City of Williamsport - now what kind of message of safety and security does that send the surrounding communities?

But just as this perception started, it can be reversed.
I'm 100% certain that we can do a better job of decreasing crime, taking back our neighborhoods and assuring a safe place to live for ALL our citizens. I'm proud of our police force. I know these men and women are capable of handling crime. Let me assure you, nothing will improve our city's image faster than the revitalization of our neighborhoods!  In cities all across America, there are countless stories of people, local people, who have reclaimed neighborhoods, city blocks and old districts.

Williamsport is ready to do the same - right now. Most people just want assurance that they will not be going the route alone. This past primary election has left me excited and positive that citizens want to take their neighborhoods back and are just looking for the right leadership from their city government to help them. They want a leader who will tell the truth, not a politician to try to "Sell Them" on their own city. They know what the city needs and so do I.  

I believe I am that leader. When you cast your vote for me, you will be voting for a better, safer Williamsport with hope and prospects for the future.

Straight Talk about the position of Safety Director - Let's keep an open mind!
I can't believe that anyone wants to make such a big deal out of this Safety Director position. My opponents insinuate that I want to change the structure of the City Government. This position is a new post that was added by the Wolf Administration. It has been an uncontested position and after the initial results were measured an actual reduction of crime has not been very encouraging to me; despite all of the political horn blowing.

I've said from the beginning that I oppose spending almost $300,000 on one administrative department, that doesn't carry a gun, can't make an arrest, and if he sees a crime, has to call it in like anyone else.  We already have a Police Chief and two Captains; do we really need MORE administration or do we more police? I think it's the latter, but I said I would keep an open mind concerning this new Safety Director Position and I will.

From the start, I questioned the need to spend $294K on one position, Office of Safety Director, (office rental recapture, community outreach funds earmarked for activities such as neighborhood watch, administrative assistant and salary) when we could be adding more police or more tools to our existing police force to handle this job. My opponents can play the shell game any way they want by saying that the salary for the position is only $74,000, but the bottom line is that our city has allocated $294,000+ for the office of Safety Director. If that position did not exist we could be spending some, most or all of that money on other needs to fight crime. 

I believe that all elected officials have a moral and fiduciary responsibility to their constituents to represent the true facts, not distort them to protect the job(s) of friends and colleagues. I am telling you the truth. I have NO personal interest in the position of Safety Director. I have said from the beginning that I will keep an open mind concerning the position. If the expenditure of $294,000 for that position does indeed start to really curb crime, then I will be the first one to say, great. But up until now the crime statistics have not made the case clear cut. That's the plain and simple truth! 

Bring Back Jobs
The business leaders and developers that I have been continuously meeting with since the primary election have POSITIVE outlooks for Williamsport, once we curb the crime situation.  Right now, our state unemployment rate is just terrible. We have been number one, two or three in the state rankings of highest unemployment. We're consistent with Johnstown and Wilkes-Barre every quarter. 

These issues have been going on for far too long. Mary Wolf and her "rubber-stamp" supporters on City Hall have sat by and told us that everything is fine. Of course that's not the case. In the next few weeks, I will be part of at least two major announcements from local developers who believe in this city and believe that we can make it better. These two separate announcements will be just the tip of the resurgence and new found interest in Williamsport, once we take a firm stand on crime and the perception of crime.  

I'm positive and optimistic about the long hours and hard work I will take to move things forward. This will not be a job for someone ready to retire. Moving Williamsport ahead is not a fulltime position, it's an overtime position! I have the strength, knowledge, endurance, and desire to move our city ahead. All I need is your vote.