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WILKES-BARRE — Often on the same side criticizing the way things are done at City Hall, Tony George and Frank Sorick took aim at each other as they campaigned for mayor.
George, a Democratic councilman and former police chief, released a statement saying the city is in “dire straits” and outlined steps he would take to lead Wilkes-Barre “from suffering to sustainability.”
Touting his “Law and Order platform,” he called for saturation patrols and knocking on the door of suspected drug dealers as a courtesy call to tell them they’re not welcome. He also called for a change in the inner workings of City Hall.
“We must honor our role as public servants, that is, to serve our constituents and do what is best for our city, not ourselves. Business as usual will end,” he said.
Sorick, a Realtor and the Republican candidate in the Nov. 3 general election, responded, “It seems to be all fluff and no substance.”
He called for parting ways with the past and the politically connected and starting over.
“Tony has been part of the past administrations, and thus part of the problem,” Sorick said.
While agreeing with George that the city is “at a tipping point,” he criticized his opponent for creating the crisis.
“By and large Tony has approved much of what the mayor has done. I think Tony brings a lot of that to the table,” Sorick said.
Among his proposals are eliminating some of the “top heavy, high-paying positions” in City Hall, reducing the debt service and developing a capital improvement plan. “We have been financing everything we have ever done,” Sorick said.
With Mayor Tom Leighton scheduled to propose his final budget for the 2016 calendar year next month, Sorick said he suspected it will include a property tax increase. If elected, Sorick said he would not be in favor of a property tax increase.
The last two general fund budgets for 2014 and 2015 did not contain increases and the millage remains at 121.63 mils. A mil is $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property values. A property assessed at $100,000 would have an annual tax bill of $12,163.
“I can ‘t comment on the budget until I see it,” George said. But he added he believes the new mayor would have until February to change the budget.
George said he would take the salary budgeted for the office. This year the mayor’s annual salary is $84,779. He promised to be a full-time mayor and not work another job. He has submitted his letter of retirement to the Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center where he is the police resource officer.
In response to a question from Sorick on whether he would forgo his pension “as a true representative of the people,” George said he does not contribute to a pension as a councilman and would not contribute as mayor. The councilman position pays $13,199 annually.
He thought it impractical and unwise to have a clean sweep of city hall. “You can’t get rid of everybody who knows what they’re doing,” he said. Instead, he explained that he will give everyone the opportunity “to follow what my standards are.”
He disputed Sorick’s claim of being part of the problem. George acknowledged the past four years have not been all bad. He said he opposed most of the mayor’s refinancing efforts and the use of gambling revenue grants for downtown development. “I offer a lot of suggestions but nobody listens,” he said.
In anticipation of winning in November, George said he’s reached out to state and federal lawmakers. “I’m starting the ball rolling even before I get there,” he said.
He said he’s refrained from bashing his opponents in the primary and focused on his record. Criticism is part of the campaign and he said he expects it, adding, “I got real thick skin.”