Wilkes-Barre Township resident Alex Milanes has announced his candidacy for Luzerne County Council.
A Republican, Milanes said he decided to run because he experienced the “American dream” and wants to help ensure opportunities are available to others who are “willing to work hard and play by the rules,” including people who were not born in the United States.
Milanes said his family fled Fidel Castro's Cuba and settled penniless in New Jersey. He and his parents lived in an apartment above his grandfather's electronics store, and he helped out at the store in his youth. After graduating from high school, he worked at his cousin's business, Delta Fence Co.
“Through these experiences at an early age, I can attest that hard work and discipline were the keys to realizing the American dream,” he wrote.
When his employment with Alliance Inspection Management brought him to Pennsylvania, he lived in Philadelphia and Easton before settling in the Wilkes-Barre area.
An active member of the Luzerne County Historical Society, Milanes is secretary of the county Republican Party, serves as treasurer and a grievance committee member in the party's sixth district and represents the township's first ward on the county Republican committee.
He also is an associate member of the Marine Corps League Detachment 412 “Black Sheep,” a social member of The American League Mountain Post 781 and a supporter of Vets to D.C.
Milanes, who has a son, Anthony, said he wants to continue applying his “proven record of building bridges” and serving county residents.
“I believe that immigration is the lifeblood of this country, and I am the only candidate that will make sure the interests of ALL people in Luzerne County are represented on the council,” he said.
He also wants to explore a “tax amnesty program” that would allow residents to pay overdue property taxes without penalties or interest.
Campaign information is available at http://www.facebook.com/#!/AlexMilanesluzerne?fref=ts.