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Wilkes University parking lots and McCarthy corporate HQ on Wilkes-Barre Zoning agenda

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Community Bank N.A. promotes Susanne Mullin

<p>Joseph C. Sebastianelli, 28, of Pittston Township, has announced he is running for Luzerne County Council.</p><p>Born and raised in the county, Sebastianelli has a bachelor&#8217;s degree in history from King&#8217;s College and works for the Luzerne Intermediate Unit teaching special needs children.</p><p>Citing lowering real estate taxes as a top goal, the Democrat said he will scrutinize the budget to eliminate &#8220;any kind of wasteful spending,&#8221; his announcement said.</p><p>He pointed to county population loss, a lower-than-state average median household income and the departure of many college and university graduates as evidence the local economy needs a boost. His solution to strengthen the economy would include more support for small businesses, which he described as the &#8220;backbone of our economy.&#8221;</p><p>Sebastianelli said he would vote against tax breaks for major corporations if they don&#8217;t pay their entry-level employees &#8220;excellent&#8221; wages and provide quality benefits and guaranteed salary increases.</p><p>&#8220;I want the very best for our workers. If these corporations expect a tax break, then I expect for them to take better care of their employees,&#8221; he wrote.</p><p>Fixing and expanding roads, bridges and airports and eliminating blight would also be part of his plan to help the local economy.</p><p>While he supports the home rule structure, Sebastianelli said he believes government reform also is needed, particularly involving the appointed county manager position, his announcement said. He said he is the only candidate proposing a referendum that would allow voters to consider a change in the top job, including switching it to an elected one.</p><p>&#8221;The county manager has the luxury of proposing tax hikes without answering to you (the voter). Our current manager has fought for multiple tax hikes in recent years,&#8221; he wrote.</p><p>Sebastianelli also listed public safety as a priority, saying he wants to ensure workers at the prison, emergency management and 911 are &#8220;properly paid for their hard work and dedication&#8221; and have &#8220;all the necessary tools to take care of our citizens.&#8221;</p><p>&#8221;In conclusion, I&#8217;m fighting for a new direction for Luzerne County,&#8221; he said, adding, &#8220;I love Luzerne County. I believe we have so much potential.&#8221;</p><p>More information about his campaign is available on his YouTube channel and Facebook group/page: joe4luzerne.</p><p>Voters will fill six of 11 council seats this year.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Sebastianelli </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_candidate.jpg</photo0><caption0>Sebastianelli </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jennifer Learn-Andes</p><p>jandes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Sebastianelli announces run for Luzerne County Council