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WILKES-BARRE — The invitation stands for mayor-elect Tony George to sit down with outgoing Mayor Tom Leighton to talk about the city.

They might meet within a few days or maybe longer, but Leighton said he’s offered to talk with his successor George, the unofficial winner of Tuesday’s general election.

“I’ve been through this three times,” Leighton, 55, said Wednesday, describing the campaigning as exhausting with time needed to recover.

It will be just under two months until Jan. 4 when Leighton, a Democrat, exits City Hall after 24 years in office; 12 years each on city council and as mayor. He’ll become citizen Leighton, living in the city’s Barney Farms neighborhood, working at the family’s real estate and insurance business, C. A Leighton Co. Inc. and expecting fellow Democrat George to deliver on his campaign promises.

“It’s in my best interest that he does a great job,” Leighton said.

As George goes, so goes the city.

“I’m going to give him the opportunity to be successful,” Leighton said. “If he fails, the city fails.”

He offered advice and provided post-election criticism of the campaign between George, a city councilman and former police chief, and his Republican opponent, real estate agent Frank Sorick. George could not be reached for comment Wednesday, leaving unanswered whom he will choose to fill key posts in his administration and whether any of the department heads under Leighton will remain.

Don’t worry about getting re-elected or making difficult decisions, Leighton advised.

“Don’t be afraid to make unpopular decisions,” Leighton said.

George, 64, outpolled Sorick more than 2 to 1 in the city where the majority of registered voters are Democrats. But George won not only because of his party affiliation, Leighton said. “I don’t think he had a viable opponent,” Leighton said.

From the mayor’s perspective, the candidates inaccurately portrayed the city as overrun by crime, dirty and in financial disarray.

George on election night said it was in a “crisis.”

“It’s probably one of the most inaccurate statements that was made during the campaign,” Leighton said. “Crisis is what I took over.”

He recalled being labeled “one-term Tommy” during his first four years. But he outlived the label and pointed to a number of successes.

The downtown now is open 18 hours a day with new shops, restaurants and a movie theater, and an employment center with approximately 14,000 daytime workers. Leighton disputed the claims that he’s neglected the neighborhoods and pointed to the elimination of blight with the Pine Ridge housing development and the new homes on Courtright Street, new playgrounds, street paving and the Coal Street reconstruction.

“My biggest accomplishment is not bricks and mortar. It’s the credit rating. Without a credit rating your hands are tied,” Leighton. Two years ago Standard & Poor’s Rating Service upgraded the rating to A negative with a positive outlook for the city’s general obligation bonds.

There was no rating when he took office and since it’s received one it’s been able to borrow at low rates and save money through the refinancing of bonds. The refinancing can’t be done unless there is a guaranteed savings, he said. “That’s the law,” he said.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/election-logo-20152.pdf

Wilkes-Barre Mayor-elect Tony George thanks supporters Aggie Hummel and Louise Manchio after Tuesday’s election. George was not available for comment on Wednesday, but current Mayor Tom Leighton said he would be more than willing to sit down with his replacement.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL110415Mayor4-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes-Barre Mayor-elect Tony George thanks supporters Aggie Hummel and Louise Manchio after Tuesday’s election. George was not available for comment on Wednesday, but current Mayor Tom Leighton said he would be more than willing to sit down with his replacement. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

At press conference last week Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, second from right, announced a $28 million hotel/conference would be built downtown by private developers.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL110115DowntownWB22.jpg.optimal.jpgAt press conference last week Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, second from right, announced a $28 million hotel/conference would be built downtown by private developers. Sean McKeag file photo | Times Leader

By Jerry Lynott

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Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLNews