Candidates vie for Verona Council seats
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Two Democrats and a Republican, all incumbents, are running for a pair of four-year seats on Verona Council in the Nov. 7 election.
Incumbent Nancy Carpenter won both the Democrat and Republican nominations for a four-year seat and is unopposed on the ballot for two-year seat on council.
Candidates were asked for general biographical information and to answer the question:
What do you view as the most pertinent issue for Verona, and how do you plan to address it?
William Craig (R)
Age: 66
Education: AS in hospitality management and AS in computer science
Occupation: retired/part-time at Burket-Truby Funeral Home
Previous public office: member of Planning Commission, Active Transportation Committee and Community Garden Planning Committee.
I feel that the most important issue for Verona is to continue the fiscal recovery and improving financial health, which has drastically improved in 2023. We also have to be concerned about infrastructure.
I will continue to seek alternative sources of funding for the borough, such as grants, especially grants that have a low borough match. This would allow the borough to provide improvements for the residents without a large bite out of the budget and taxes.
Timothy W. Long (D)
Age: 48
High school education
Occupation: chef
Previous public office: appointed to Verona Borough Council in November 2022
I believe that roads and infrastructure are the biggest problems in Verona.
I have been instrumental in balancing the town’s budget and in hiring a code enforcement officer.
Sylvia K. Provenza (D)
Education: Verona High School, Robert Morris College
Occupation: retired
Previous public office: serving eighth year on Verona Borough Council
One of the issues I view is abandoned homes, which bring down the value of homes that are well maintained and cared for.
I would address this by searching out grants to have these abandoned homes demolished and putting the properties back on the tax record.
My goal is to continue to keep our Verona Borough a safe, beautiful and welcoming community.