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SWOYERSVILLE — Mayor Chris Concert announced on Sunday that he would be seeking to retain the seat of mayor in the upcoming election, having been appointed by council two years ago after the death of longtime mayor Vincent Dennis.

Concert detailed borough events held during his tenure and outlined plans for the upcoming year, such as Easter and Christmas events, a community cookout, strawberry social, community yard sale, Emergency Services Day and “Hanging of the Afghans” (crocheted craftwork often passed from generation to generation).

The events, he said, presented an opportunity for members of Swoyersville and other nearby communities to gather and also reflected a positive, hopeful spirit that would move the borough forward, socially and economically.

The borough, he said, had recently received a Local Share Account grant to refurbish the ballfield on Church Street.

“I want the project to benefit everyone, perhaps with a walking track along its perimeter for older people,” he said. “I want everyone to benefit from money spent.”

Concert said he had and would continue to work with state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, to identify and apply for grant money available to benefit the borough.

He also said he looked forward to the United Way’s Day of Caring to bring volunteers to the borough to clean and maintain its parks.

Theresa Bosak, Swoyersville, said she appreciated the activities that Concert sponsored for children, for veterans and for older adults.

“We needed a mayor to go out and help,” she said. “Now we need people to get out and helpe the mayor.”

Jackie Savage, of Swoyersville, said, “I have no problem with helping the mayor. I love the borough. When I got married, I told my husband that we had to stay in Swoyersville if we got married.”

Tyler Wang, a high school exchange student from China staying with Savage’s family, spent a few minutes with Concert on Sunday. Concert offered to teach him still a new skill before he went back home — playing a polka on the accordion.

Concert admitted that he didn’t have any direct influence on issues such as pot holes or road repairs.

“Those issues are reserved for council except in a case of a tie vote,” he said. “But I can have input on the community and that’s what I am doing.”

Several attendees also said they had hoped that Concert would address current problems with the borough’s ambulance service, alleged to have over $10,000 in outstanding bills due to another ambulance service.

Concert, however, only briefly mentioned the borough’s ambulance service in the context of his support of all emergency services.

Concert said he was a registered Independent and would remain one, but encouraged both Republicans and Democrats to “write me in,” during May’s primary.

“I want to serve everyone,” he said. “Republicans and Democrats and even those who aren’t registered.”

No other candidates have announced an intent to run for the position as of Sunday.

Chris Concert talks Tyler Wang, a 16-year-old Chinese exchange student staying with Swoyersville resident Jackie Savage, about showing him how to polka before he returns to his country.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl013017concert-2.jpg.optimal.jpgChris Concert talks Tyler Wang, a 16-year-old Chinese exchange student staying with Swoyersville resident Jackie Savage, about showing him how to polka before he returns to his country. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

Chris Concert speaks to a room full of people about running for mayor of Swoyersville.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl013117concert-1.jpg.optimal.jpgChris Concert speaks to a room full of people about running for mayor of Swoyersville. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

Chris Concert talks Tyler Wang, a 16-year-old Chinese exchange student staying with Swoyersville resident Jackie Savage, about showing him how to polka before he returns to his country.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl013017concert-2toned.jpg.optimal.jpgChris Concert talks Tyler Wang, a 16-year-old Chinese exchange student staying with Swoyersville resident Jackie Savage, about showing him how to polka before he returns to his country. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

Chris Concert speaks to a room full of people about running for mayor of Swoyersville.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/web1_ttl013117concert-1toned.jpg.optimal.jpgChris Concert speaks to a room full of people about running for mayor of Swoyersville. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

By Geri Gibbons

For Times Leader

Reach Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.