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Nanticoke residents invited to partake in discussion for ‘Our Town’ series

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The number of city council members seeking reelection increased to three with Beth Gilbert&#8217;s announcement on social media.</p><p>The Democratic incumbent who represents District C <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BethGilbertWB/" target="_blank">posted on her city councilwoman Facebook page</a> Sunday she will run for a second term.</p><p>&#8220;Four years will not be long enough to accomplish everything I want to as a council person,&#8221; Gilbert said in her post. She listed fighting blight, lowering the crime rate and making the city a more desirable place to live as among her goals.</p><p>&#8220;I believe now more than ever that Wilkes-Barre has the potential to be great with the proper leadership in place. Now the focus needs to shift to introducing legislation to help accomplish this,&#8221; Gilbert said.</p><p>Gilbert joined council vice chairman Bill Barrett, a Democrat from District E, and councilman Tony Brooks, a Republican from District B, who earlier announced their candidacies.</p><p>On the issues Gilbert said:</p><p>&#8226; Blight - her responsibility is to bring awareness to it, advocate for the city to demolish them and continue to research what works in other cities. Although Wilkes-Barre has limited funds, it has to begin with the properties &#8220;that are making the entire city look like an eyesore.&#8221;</p><p>&#8226; Crime - provide the police department with the resources to reduce crime. The change in command in the department was an important step toward that end. The next step is budgeting for more officers.</p><p>&#8226; A more desirable place to live - continue to build on a strong downtown, but also pay more attention to serving the neighborhoods. Her formation of the Heights-Mayflower Residents Association is a start. She wants to do more by &#8220;introducing legislation that will help clean up our neighborhoods.&#8221;</p><p>Even though she did not mention it in her post, stabilizing the city&#8217;s finances is one of her priorities, Gilbert said an email Monday. As the legislative body in city government, the the five members council &#8220;main job is to act as watchdogs for the finances of the city.&#8221; Council also should look &#8220;outside the box to cut expenses and increase revenue.&#8221;</p><p>Gilbert said she would like to form a committee of financial professionals to assist with balancing the budget &#8220;in a more realistic way than has been done recently.&#8221;</p><p>One thing Gilbert said she will not change is her habit of speaking out on issues. She criticized her fellow council members for not joining her in opposing the city&#8217;s attempt to be declared financially distressed under the state&#8217;s Act 47. She stated her opposition in a letter to the state.</p><p>&#8220;I think part of being a good elected official is very basic - opening your mouth,&#8221; Gilbert said. &#8220;I may be accused of showboating or grandstanding at times, but I open my mouth on topics like the aforementioned because that is what I was elected to do.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Gilbert </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_TTL010417WB-Council1-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Gilbert </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Democrat Gilbert to run for a second term on Wilkes-Barre city council